Page 131 of Fortress of Ambrose
“I would love to help you learn your new role,” her mother said, pushing her muffin aside. “It is a lot at times.”
They shared a laugh. Nore released her iron grip on the edge of her seat. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
“I’m grateful you even considered it. Though I am curious what brought this on.”
“I think it’s obvious.”
“The boy has been sent away is my understanding.”
Nore pushed around the food on her plate, itching to dive into what she wanted to know. “Did you send yours away too?”
Her mother’s face flushed, and Nore had her answer.
“So you went along with it?”
“It made sense. I wanted an astute heir.” Her mother smiled. “I was also expecting his arrival, so it wasn’t as alarming. But most of all, I hoped it would please my mother. I spent a lot of my life doing things I thought would please others.”
“I can’t relate.”
Her mother crossed her legs. “What questions do you have? I’m an open book.”
“Clear the room,” Nore ordered, and the servants exited, shutting the doors tightly. “Everything. Ellery’s plans. He’s winning Ambrosers’ loyalty somehow. And the dead want me togrowthis poison in me.”
Her mother clutched her chest.
“Families are furious. Pizor and Kimper are not very helpful. And then there’s the Scroll.”
“The Immortality Scroll?”
“Yes, we’ve found most of—”
“Leave that alone. You’re chasing a dead end.”
“That’s what everyone says. It’s impossible. But I’m stubborn, remember?”
Her mother sighed. “You don’t even begin to understand what you’re up against with the Scroll. And Kimper takes a certain finesse. I can help you win her over. Pizor cannot be won over. He thinks what he thinks, but he usually won’t dissent on a vote with Kimper. Your brother—I don’t know where to start with him. There is so much I should tell you. I’m not sure this is the venue. Nor is it the place to discuss that thing you’ve been asked to grow. Word of that spreading would risk more than just unseating you. People would demand a public death. House rules for betrayal.”
Nore’s head throbbed. Would Ellery tell them? Without proof, it was no more than a rumor. And Ambrosers usually demanded their intellectual curiosity be fully satisfied.
“Despite what you think, your brother loves you. He thinks he is doing what’s best for you. He is wrong.”
“I don’t know if I agree with that.” Nore’s eyes burned with tears, and the suddenness of it unsteadied her. She grabbed another slice of toast and buttered it quickly. She’d loved her brother and wanted to believe he loved her. He was her only friend in the entire world for so long. The truth was a sharp pain in the place where her heart used to live. His betrayal cut her too deep to ever heal.
“How are things going with your inner council and the rumors of the Sphere?” Isla asked.
“We haven’t discussed it.”
“Nore, it’s your duty to usher the House’s future. That requires planning. The world is on fire. The Sphere was drained of magicon these groundsjust months ago.”
“I’m more aware of what happened with the Sphere than you realize.” Nore tensed at the strain returning to her voice.
“What does that mean? Does this have to do with that Wexton boy you’re keeping around?”
Nore wasn’t ready to tell her mother about Yagrin, Jordan, and Quell and all their plans. “It didn’t mean anything.”
“Oh, come on.” Her mother’s silverware hit her plate. “How can I help if you keep me in the dark?”
“I am not going to fight with you.”
