Have No Mercy by Shannon Dermott

turned.
Apparently, we’d been heading in the right direction after all. I kept my
bearings along the way. I wanted to be sure I could remember my way back if
left to my own devices.
    We stopped at a door about three
down on the right from our last turn.
    "Thank you," I said to
Tristrom, who’d escorted us the whole way.
    He nodded but quickly glanced to
the girl and noticed their eyes met briefly. She turned an embarrassing shade
of cherry before he pivoted on his heels and headed away from us.
    “Are you two together?” I asked
once we were in the room. I needed intel, and she may be my only hope on
getting some about the mysterious boy.
    “Oh no, mam,” she protested,
while her fingers busied unbuttoning me. “He’s the Queen’s consort’s son. It
wouldn’t be proper.”
    “Who cares about proper,” I said
conspiratorially. “I saw how you two looked at each other.”
    I glanced over my shoulder to see
her shaking her head in disbelief.
    “Oh, he’s just nice that’s all.
He’s nicer than the rest. He’s not like them. You should choose him over the
other one.”
    “Me.” It was my turn with the
denials. “I have someone. And I think he’s interested in you.”
    The banter made me long for home
and talks with Maggie. When the dress slid off my shoulders, my mind shifted to
the present. I caught it with my arms and hugged it to my body not ready to
stand naked in front of another person even if she’d seen me earlier. 
    “You’re nightdress is in here.”
    Nightdress was an odd term. She
talked odd, not only her accent but in words.
    Still, I followed her finger to
the wardrobe she stood in front of. It was ivory with gold trim. Clearly, the
Queen liked everything in shades of white. I kept my eyes on the girl. I wanted
to talk to her more. I thought I might find an ally in her.
    “Do you know where my clothes are
that I came in with?”
    Her head shook. “No mam, but I’ll
go check the bath where you were first brought.” Hurriedly, she left as if I’d
spooked her. I was just about to let the dress fall and change into the
nightgown that was folded on the shelf, when a knock came.
    I cracked the door open to find
Tristrom on the other side. Why was he back so soon? I stood wondering how to
invite him until I realized my dress was still hanging off me. Before I could
speak, a hand landed on his shoulder.
    "Brother."
    Betrayal splashed me in the face
like cold water. Had he led Larrison to me? Not that the guy couldn’t find out
where my room was. But he’d led me to Larrison in the garden, didn’t he?  Why
did he even bother ending my dance with Larrison?
    Tristrom faced Larrison, who
looked positively gleeful. Larrison cleared his throat. "Your father the
consort has requested your presence."
    Tristrom's weary eyes met mine
before he turned and silently walked away. What did that mean? Was he trying to
save me or lead me to slaughter? There was no way to find out with Larrison
there leering at me.
    The tension rose in my body while
all the blood drained from my face. Larisson looked like a man who won. I moved
swiftly to close the door. However, Larrison stopped it with a palm flat
against it.
    "Goodnight," I gritted
out.
    "Just because the dance ended
doesn’t mean the night has to be over—"
    Cutting him off, I said, "It
is for me."
    "Is he here with you?” His
eyes held amusement like he was pleased with himself. When I didn’t answer, he
said, "He doesn't love you enough."
    "I’m not in the mood for your
games.” I deflected because I knew who Flynn was with. And even though he had
every right to be with whomever he wanted, he had set up the ruse that we were
married. So I was left to look the fool while he carried on with whatever girl
he wished.
    "He still gave you up."
He paused and then quickly said, "Goodnight."
    That was too easy, I thought as I
watched him walk away. I wondered what he'd meant by his last comment. Had
Flynn reneged on the bargain with Madeline? I gripped