Page 132 of Fortress of Ambrose
“Then let me help you.”
“I will. My way.” Nore released her grip on the fork tight in her fist. They ate for several minutes in silence. She wasn’t prepared to be Headmistress, but she certainly wasn’t prepared for all her mother was looking for—a relationship. But she needed to understand things only her mother could show her. It was smart to allow her mother to assist. She pushed back her chair and grabbed her napkin. “Meet me in my office each morning at the top of the day.”
“And how about a check-in later in the day to see if there’s anything that’s come up that shouldn’t wait until morning?”
Nore felt the push like a squeeze on her ribs, a hug she didn’t want.
“I could join you for dinner, perhaps? Here. So it’s more casual.”
“Sure.” Nore dabbed her mouth. “Mornings and dinners. Starting tomorrow.”
“Excellent.” Her mother slid her chair back as well, wiping her hands.
“One more thing. Kendall Dorset. The man sent to you on coronation night.”
Her mother didn’t move. “What about him?”
So thatwashis name. Not an alias. “Why is his name not in the Book of Names? Nor is there any record of him finishing Third Rite.”
Her mother left her chair and joined her at the head of the table. She moved a rogue tendril out of her face. “Some doors are better left shut,” she said. “See you tomorrow.” She turned to go.
“I am your House Headmistress. You will answer me truthfully.”
Her mother stopped.
“Is Kendall Dorset my father?”
She swallowed. “Yes. May I go?”
“Did you erase his name from the Book of Names?”
Confusion drew her brows together. “No.How could I?”
“Maybe you called in a favor with Darragh Marionne.”
“Nore, I did no such thing. He did not finish. There is no Cotillion record. May I please go?”
It wasn’t enough. But they’d made progress, and that felt more important than anything.
“Sure.” When Nore left the dining hall, her mother’s words still irked her. So she walked to the courtyard where the Hall of Shame plaque was on the facade of the building. There were hundreds of names of people who’d started at their House but dropped out, all alphabetized.
Kendall’s name wasn’t there either.
Fifty-Two
Quell
I’m halfway to the stairs, with that sham of a dinner with Ube, Erla, and Yani still ringing in my head, when I spot Erla storming away from a conversation with her brother. I wait until he stomps off toward the dorm halls and follow her.
She is crying.
“Erla?”
She tries to curtsy.
“Please don’t. There’s no need for that.”
She dabs the tears from her tired eyes. “My apologies. I’m fine.”
