“It’s fine. I’ll go with him," I tell Thorn quietly.
Thorn sags with relief. "The Rose Room is ready, my lord. Follow me."
I let him lead us.
My hand is shaking. I am surprised Svenn doesn't mention it.
I follow.
I try not to think about how many times Svenn’s walked this corridor before. All those nights he disappeared without explanation. Was this where he went?
We move through corridors heavy with velvet and perfume. Laughter spills from half-closed doors and music drifts overhead. Each step feels heavier than the last.
The Rose Roomearns its name.
Silk in deep blush drapes the walls. Roses are carved into dark wood and the flowery scent is thick enough to taste. A burgundy chaise dominates the center with a large table in front of it.
It is beautiful.
I have never hated a room more.
Svenn shuts the door. He remains near it, watching me through the mask. I stand in the center of the room with my arms wrapped around myself. The sheer costume feeling thinner than it did on stage.
This mask is supposed to hide me completely. Every trace of who I am should be undetectable. Yet the way he keeps staring makes my heart pound. Does he know?
Impossible.
The fae enchantment is too strong.
I can hear laughter and music outside. Life continuing while my world cracks apart.
My husband is cheating on me.
Svenn circles the perimeter slowly, checking corners and shadows the way he always does in unfamiliar rooms. Some broken part of me wants to understand. Maybe this is about me. Perhaps there is something I lack and some need I'm not fulfilling. I want to know if the man who promised to stay forever has been lying the whole time.
So I wait for him to speak first.
"You can remove the mask now,” he says quietly, his back to me.
"House rules," I say. "It stays on."
It’s a lie. But I need this thin barrier.
Svenn turns around. His eyes narrow slightly as he studies me. My pulse quickens at that look.
The silence stretches. He runs a hand through his hair, then sits on the chaise. I remain at the table, frozen.
“I’m not good at—nevermind." He stops.
We just lookat each other.
"Come here,"he says quietly. He pats the space beside him on the chaise, then changes his mind.
"No. Here."He indicates his lap.
I cross the room slowly.Each step feels like a betrayal of myself. I lower myself onto his lap, hating him for this. I hate myself too for wanting to be close to him despite everything.
"Are you afraid?"he asks.
