Page 159 of Taste of Thorns

“Your Majesty,” I say, ignoring the look from Beaufort that clearly tells me to shut up, “has Professor Tudor been found?”

The Empress’ gaze swings back to me.

“No, he has not.”

A tension seizes my shoulders. I don’t understand where he can be. He should be here. He’d want to be here. There’s no wayFox would have allowed me to face the Madame without him there, ready to step in. I don’t think he’d want me interviewed by the Empress without him either.

I may not have the connection – I may not have given him some of my magic – but nonetheless there’s this strange sensation in my magic. Like something’s missing. Like something’s gone.

Does that mean what I think it could? ThatFoxhas gone. Thatheis missing.

Why the hell didn’t I insist on forming the connection in reverse? Then I’d know for sure where he was.

I force myself to swallow down the fear bubbling in my throat, but I can’t concentrate on anything else the Empress says. The words swim around my head as she asks more questions and Beaufort answers them obligingly.

All I can think about is Fox.

“Briony?” Beaufort nudges my arm.

“Huh?” I say, blinking like I just woke up from some terrible nightmare.

“Miss Storm, we are aware you have broken Realm laws by not informing the appropriate authorities about the existence of your powers and the existence of a dragon. The punishments for both should be severe – particularly for the latter transgression. However, you have shown bravery and resilience in bringing to light a far greater crime. Our guards have found evidence in the Madame’s office that she has indeed been working in league with the demons, eliminating students with powers to weaken our realm’s defenses.” Evidence? I frown. How the hell did I miss that too? “We are therefore minded not to punish you or those who have helped you. We believe you will prove a great asset to this realm. Your powers are unique and much needed. With the right guidance, with the stewardship of our son, we believe you will do great things.”

What does she mean, stewardship? Am I being sent away to some prince?

“Son?”

“Why, yes,” the Empress says, her eyebrows rising in surprise, an expression I don’t quite believe is genuine, “although the identity of our children has not been publicly disclosed, we are sure he himself has revealed his identity to you. After all, we understand you are his thrall.”

Color rises to my cheeks and I turn my head slowly to stare at the man beside me.

He’s staring straight ahead, meeting the steely gaze of his mother with his own silvery one.

“Beaufort.”

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Briony

My breath catches in my lungs and I don’t hear any more of the talk around me – discussions about ongoing investigations and the need for us to visit the palace in the coming days. I don’t hear the Empress say goodbye to her son, and I’m barely aware when she departs the room with her guards, leaving me, Beaufort, Dray, and Thorne alone and staring at one another.

Once I can breathe again, I gape at the shadow weaver who is very sure that I am his fated mate.

A shadow weaver who is – what? Heir to the realm?

“I did not know that.”

“It’s not something I go around broadcasting,” he says simply.

This shocks me even more than the original crazy piece of information. Beaufort is an arrogant asshole. He thrives on all the attention and admiration in this academy. Attention and admiration that would be seriously multiplied if everyone knew he was the Empress’ son.

“But all the shadow weavers know?”

“The teachers but not the students – although I’m sure they have their suspicions.”

I stare at him with what I’m sure is absolute confusion on my face.

“How do they not know? How the hell could this be a secret?”