Page 38 of Antiletum
“Who was present for the Thornridge girl’s showing?” someone demands.
“She does have a name, as I’m sure your records show,” I correct calmly. “And it is Delaney. Beyond that, her full name is Delaney ven’Sol. She is a Thornridge no more.”
Everyone stills, watching me curiously.
Silence. More beautiful, glorious, heavy fucking silence.
Good.
“You are devoted to your Lady.” It’s practically an accusation. Though not explicitly discouraged, Parliament doesn’t exactly encourage tender feelings between the marriages they sanction either.
Caring makes us weak. Unpredictable. Being forced into a marriage is often a good way to breed resentment. But call it a status symbol and people learn not to outwardly complain.
“She is my wife.”
A soft voice cuts in. Female. Slow and calculated. “And would you have been so devoted to your previous betrothed? Who didnothave the same rare gift as yourself?” There’s too much suspicion in that question.
A pause, letting ash-like words settle on my tongue and forcing them to come across as true. “I would have been equally devoted to any wife Parliament privileged me with. Rainah Thornridge included.”
“The Thornridges kept their younger daughter—Delaney—very secretive and cut off. Especially considering the spotlight her sister lived in. Groomed to be Lady ofNoctuawhen it was believed she would marry the late Astaroth heir, rest all their souls.Her seclusion was so thorough, until your wedding and her arrival in the city just days ago, no one had seen her in ten years,” the masked woman muses.
“Was this not suspicious to anyone?” Someone barks, like a fucking dog.
The same woman who brought up Delaney’s sheltered life speaks again. “It was certainly suspicious. Even more vexing that the girl’s governess died a questionable death right before she was completely cut off from the world. And if you recall, I suggested exploring the odd situation. More than once. Including after the untimely end of Rainah Thornridge and her parents, under different circumstances. But instead of being investigated, it was suggested that our Lord marry this younger sister instead.”
This one is troublesome. I have no doubts that she inquired into Delaney quietly, when her counterparts weren’t interested in one young woman. Suspicion takes me that she sent the lemming.
“Need I remind you, I was unaware that Rainah was to be my wife untilafterher and Astoroth were assassinated. The same time I was informed that I had already been chosen for a higher rank in the Lord’s line of succession even before they died, and Delaney would take her place as my paired wife.” I say it more firmly than I intended.
I can practically hear the upturn of her lips in a sinister smile. Like I gave exactly the response she expected. “How fortunate, my Lord, that you were able to capture those assassins after they eliminated youngMister Astoroth and Rainah Thornridge. Even more fortunate that it hadn’t yet been announced that it had been quietly decided that Mister Astoroth wasn’t a fitting Lord forNoctua, and the position would go to you after both of your fathers tragically passed.”
“Indeed.”
She gives a sad shake of her head. “If only they had been caught sooner. You’d now be married to the rightful Lady ofNoctua. And this whole messy business with the Heartstone wouldn’t have happened.”
Focus pinpoints, my ears easily blocking out all noise to hone in on only her heartbeat. Learning its unique cadence. Her eyes are shadowed beneath her cowl and bone mask, the color indiscernible. Good thing I’m able to recognize someone beyond the way they look. And I will be watching for this one.
Soft, hurried murmurs explode. Everyone is simultaneously trying to make excuses for themselves, talking over each other, trying to pass off blame.
An accusing finger points at me. “You’ve beenNoctua’s Master of Whispers for years, Lord Valledyn. How did you not learn of the secret gifts of a girl from a prominent family? How did you not know anything about her before you wed?”
Calmly, I reply, “I only go where I am commanded.” For good measure, I incline my head in a show of respect. Makes me want to flay my own fucking skin. “Sheltered young women were not exactly on my radar, now were they? And what time would there have been for me to learn about Delaney? We were wed within weeks of the union being sanctioned—by you—after Rainah died. My hands were a bit full, preparing for a role that I believed was never meant to be mine.”
Quiet words of agreement are spoken.
“From my perspective, the only people to blame are Mister and Missus Thornridge.”
“A grievous shame that they are no longer living to answer for their crimes.” That female voice is easily the most vile thing in this room. “Treason of this magnitude shouldn’t go unpunished.”
I offer a ruthless smile. “I’d say the way they met their end was punishment enough.”
Slaughtered for their riches, providing fields ofantiletumto Parliament. Burned with their crops. Or at least, that’s how the story goes.
Delaney was at her cousin’s estate for the weekend, helping Tabitha prepare for her upcoming wedding.
The wavering control of Parliament in recent years is abundantly clear in this meeting. I can taste their panic in the back of my throat.Deos, it is difficult to contain my smile. This is all going too well.
The lack of blame being put on Delaney for not turning herself in shows they are well aware that forsaking her would be a grave mistake in public opinion. If her own parents—the paramount people who should have protected her—had her believe that her gift needed to be hidden so thoroughly, how would it have occurred to her to come clean about who she is? Someone so sheltered, would they even be aware that showing results are turned in to Parliament? That there would be a need for correction?
