2_-_court_of_mist_and_fury_a_-_sarah_j._maas

ear. There are other ways around it, she had added with such quiet venom. We might not
be able to deal with him, but there are some friends that I made across the sea …
We are not assassins, Lucien had cut in. Rhys is what he is, but who would take his
place—
My blood went cold, and I could have sworn ice frosted my fingertips.
Lucien had gone on, his tone pleading, Tamlin. Tam. Just let her train, let her master
this—if the other High Lords do come for her, let her stand a chance …
Silence fell as they let Tamlin consider.
My feet began moving the moment I heard the first word out of his mouth, barely more
than a growl. No.
With each step up the stairs, I heard the rest.
We give them no reason to suspect she might have any abilities, which training will
surely do. Don’t give me that look, Lucien.
Silence again.
Then a vicious snarl, and a shudder of magic rocked the house.
Tamlin’s voice had been low, deadly. Do not push me on this.
I didn’t want to know what was happening in that room, what he’d done to Lucien,
what Lucien had even looked like to cause that pulse of power.
I locked the door to my bedroom and did not bother to eat dinner at all.
Tamlin didn’t seek me out that night. I wondered if he, Ianthe, and Lucien were still
debating my future and the threats against me.
There were sentries outside of my bedroom the following afternoon—when I finally
dragged myself from bed.
According to them, Tamlin and Lucien were already holed up in his study. Without
Tamlin’s courtiers poking around, the manor was again silent as I, without anything else to
do, headed to walk the garden paths I’d followed so many times I was surprised the pale
dirt wasn’t permanently etched with my footprints.
Only my steps sounded in the shining halls as I passed guard after guard, armed to the
teeth and trying their best not to gawk at me. Not one spoke to me. Even the servants had
taken to keeping to their quarters unless absolutely necessary.
Maybe I’d become too slothful; maybe my lazing about made me more prone to these
outbursts. Anyone might have seen me yesterday.
And though we’d never spoken of it … Ianthe knew. About the powers. How long had
she been aware? The thought of Tamlin telling her …
My silk slippers scuffed on the marble stairs, the chiffon trail of my green gown