Page 29 of Heir of Illusion

My foot lands on the book as I rise from my chair. Without giving myself time to think about the implications of my actions, I pick up the old volume and shove it into my satchel before continuing on my way. My feet silently pad over the plush carpet as I slip through the stacks, hoping to escape without drawing the attention of the courtiers. Unfortunately, instead of moving to one of the nearby tables, they continue to stand in the doorway, blocking the exit.

“He truly said that?” Lady Naomi asks as I try to find a way past them.

I’m not surprised to see her and Lord Darcus following Bridgid around. They’re all children of council members and have frequently accompanied their parents to the palace over the years, always sticking close together. There was a time when I tried to nudge my way into their group, since we’re all close in age, but they’ve never been welcoming toward me.

By calling me his pet, Baylor ensured I was alienated from the rest of the high fae, who are notoriously snobbish. A pet is not an equal. And the rumors about my questionable lineage certainly didn’t help matters. While Lord Nigel Pomeroy has never publicly confirmed I’m not his child, it’s been widely speculated that my mother was an adulteress. I’ve heard the insults the courtiers whisper behind my back.

Bastard.

Whore’s daughter.

Bridgid looks gleeful as she nods excitedly to her companions. “Uncle Kaldar assured me that the king is going to announce his new bride at the anniversary ball.”

I roll my eyes, doubting the validity of her claims. Kaldar has been pushing for a new queen since Leona died, but Baylor has never expressed a serious interest in the matter. It’s barely been a year.

“Isn’t it too soon?” Darcus asks, parroting my own thoughts.

“Is he supposed to mourn for the rest of his life?” Bridgid’s nasally tone fills with petulance as they move further into the room, finally clearing out of the doorway and giving me an opening to escape. “He’s ready to move on. Besides, it’s not his fault she never gave him a child.”

I grab hold of a nearby bookshelf, digging my nails into the wood to avoid accidentally reaching for her skull and cracking it against the stone fireplace. I need to get out of this room right now before I do something I’ll regret. Slowly tiptoeing across the creaky floors, I try not to attract any attention as I head for the door.

“Do you seriously think he might choose you?” Naomi doesn’t quite manage to hide the blatant envy in her tone as she joins Darcus on one of the plush couches.

Bridgid chuckles, leaning against the side table. “Let’s just say we’ve been spending a lot ofintimate, quality time together.”

“You fucked him?” Darcus gasps, leaning forward as his eyes go wide.

My body freezes. I’m only two feet from the door now, but I can’t force myself to move any further. My gaze is glued to Bridgid’s face as she makes a show of looking around the room. The others lean forward, desperate for her answer.

Her expression turns smug. “Many times.”

The trio descends into a fit of squeals and exclamations, but my own reaction is far different.

In the entire time we’ve been together, despite his many other crimes against me, Baylor has never strayed until now. Does he sense the distance I’ve put between us over the past year? Can he tell something is different?

I wait for my jealousy to ignite, but there isn’t even a spark. The confirmation of his infidelityshoulddevastate me. A few years ago, it would have. But there’s no sinking sensation in my stomach, no catch in my throat.

Instead, I feel nothing.

A small flicker of hope flares in my chest at the realization. I never thought I’d be happy to not feel anything. A smile plays at the corner of my mouth, invisible yet genuine. Perhaps I’m finally done mourning a counterfeit love.

“What about thewraith?” Darcus asks, shuddering as he speaks the name. “We all know how attached he is to his precious pet.”

“Shhh!” Naomi swats his arm as she glances around with fearful eyes. “Thewraithcould be anywhere. I don’t want to end up on her kill list.”

Bridgid bursts out laughing and Darcus chuckles, but his face pales slightly as he glances toward the door.

“Did you hear what she did to Lord Varish?” Darcus asks. Shame rises in my throat at his reference to the man Baylor had me slaughter.

“Don’t speak that traitor’s name,” Bridgid warns. “He deserved what he got.”

“Of course,” they say in unison, both nodding fervently.

No doubt their strong reactions are due to fear of ending up like Varish. Even among friends, you can’t be too careful with your words. It doesn’t matter that he wasn’t a traitor, or that he was telling the truth about his daughter. If Baylor decides someone has committed treason, no one can question him.

“But that’s exactly why thewraithis no competition for me,” Bridgid declares. “No one would put a violent bastard on the throne. Trust me, she’s nothing. She can’t even keep him satisfied anymore.”

I guess that confirms that hehasnoticed the differences in our relationship recently. Still, something about Bridgid’s demeanor today strikes me as odd…

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