Two hands land on my shoulders. “What happened? Are you all right?”
Braith.It’s only Braith.
No. I’m not. Not at all. Senan didn’t recognize me—is it any wonder? My hair is black. I’m a servant.He doesn’t remember you.
“Wynn?”
“I’m fine,” I whisper, even though it’s a damned lie. I’m not fine and I’m not sure I ever will be.
Braith turns her head toward the balcony, presumably to check for the prince. “Did you say something to provoke him?”
“Of course not.”
“I didn’t mean it as an accusation. I’ve just never heard of a member of the royal family attacking one of the staff like that. But he is an awful duster.”
I knew that, didn’t I? Saw the evidence myself the night I arrived back in Kumulus. Still, hearing her confirm it aloud makes me want to leap to Senan’s defense.
Only there is no need because Braith drops the subject and squats down to pick up broken shards, piling them atop the lone plate that survived. “Hurry. We must get this cleaned before anyone else sees.”
Stars, I made such a mess. I can’t afford another mark on my second day here. I kneel beside her to scoop up bits of food and porcelain, adding them to the pile.
“Be sure to throw all of these in one of the rubbish bins right inside the doors,” she says, returning to the table to collect a silver tray laden with goblets. I follow her through the servants’ door to where a handful of people are huddled together on the other side. Their harsh whispers cease the moment we enter.
So much for keeping this a secret.
A tall man dressed in all white pushes forward. “Why is everyone standing around?” Jeston clips from behind his mask. “Back into the dining room. Now!”
The servants jump and clamber for the door. I try to hide behind Braith, but Jeston catches my arm and pulls me forward. When he tugs down his mask, revealing his pinched, disapproving face, I have a sinking feeling this isn’t going to end well for me.
He picks up one of the larger shards, turning it over in his hands. “Did you break all of these dishes, Goldie?”
Braith steps forward, her rigid shoulder bumping mine. “Leave it off, Jes. It wasn’t her fault.”
His gaze flicks to my protector. “I didn’t ask whose fault it was. I asked if she broke the damned dishes.”
All I can do is nod.
“Jes—”
“Bring her back to her room,” he cuts in, taking the dishes from me and depositing them in the bin. “We’ll finish without you both.”
Braith keeps an arm around me the entire way down to the servants’ quarters, holding me close as I choke back tears. When we finally reach my room, I want to scream until my lungs give out, except this infernal bloody mask is cutting off my air. I rip the thing off and hurl it across the room.
“Why are you so upset?” Braith asks.
Because I am still hopelessly in love with a man who has fallen for another. “Because I can’t… I can’t be here anymore.” I was a fool for coming to the castle in the first place. If Senan truly loved me, he would’ve come back for me. The sooner I get out of this place, the better. I rush over to the dresser to find something to wear besides this damned uniform.
“Woah, woah, woah.” Braith closes the drawer before I can pull out my dress. “Wynn, you need to take a breath.”
How can I breathe when it’s all gone?
My love.
My friend.
My wings.
My magic.