Page 49 of The Fury She Holds
“I don’t mean tonight specifically. Why do you keep coming back?” she pressed.
“Hmm. Fair question,” he mused. “I suppose your perception of nobility is that we only live to gossip and take advantage of those less fortunate.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“No, but you’ve thought it, and you’re not wrong.” He turned his head toward her and smirked. “Mostly.” When he continued, his expression faltered. “There are members of the king’s court who would avoid you, some who would gossip and shun you, and then there are those who would see a lady like you and make a game out of breaking you.”
“No one could break me.”
“Therein lies the challenge. And they would certainly enjoy the game.”
“Would you?” Tal did her best to turn to him without causing pain to her midsection.
“As much as I tease and as little as you might think of me, no. I don’t bother with that lot. Their idea of fun is breaking hearts, ruining reputations, and torturing small creatures. I’m disgusted that we are considered the same class.”
“Are there any decent nobles in the king’s court?”
“Besides me?” The skin by his eyes wrinkled. “There’s enough. You just need to be able to read people.” He turned his head back to the sky.
“Alright, so if your intentions arenotless than savory, why are you here?” she repeated.
He paused, watching the stars. “You know, you’re unlike any of the women at court.”
Tal scoffed. “Gee, I hadn’t noticed.”
“You’re not really like anyone,” he said quietly.
“Now you’re just trying to insult me.”
“You don’t follow rules. You make your own.”
“Disgraceful.” Tal did her best impression of the pompous air of the nobles at the king’s masquerade.
Faron huffed. “You don’t fear… anything really.”
“Corsets.” Tal shivered.
A singular laugh escaped Faron’s lips. “I fear those too.” He met her eyes again and winked.
Tal groaned. “Enough with the double entendre.”
Faron chuckled quietly. After a moment, he said, “You throw yourself into situations without hesitation. You live for the moment.” He paused again before saying, “Do you have any plan for the future, any hopes or dreams?”
Tal didn’t hesitate. “Survive,” she responded.
“No husband? No children? No cottage with a garden and servants?”
“No. No husband, no children, just make it through this day, then the next.”
“It must be so freeing; to live without expectation. My entire life has been planned out for me, even before I was born. Even now, my day is planned down to what I’ll eat.”
“Is that why you come here? For freedom…” When he didn’t immediately answer, she added, “in your red suit.”
“It’s maroon actually,” he teased, “but yes. At first, I would sneak out as a rebellion against those who tried to control my every step. When I realized the condition of the kingdom outside the—outside high society, I saw the lack of aid. So, I chose to help in a way I could.”
Tal bit her tongue on a joke about hownobleof a choice that was. “With your money?” She didn’t try to disguise the disdain from her voice.
His dark chuckle echoed over the water. “I’ve tried paying people to help, but it somehow finds its way into the wrong hands no matter what I do. And there’s not nearly enough to make a difference. I bring what food I can without raising suspicion. I try to keep the criminals away from the innocents. But I have to be careful not to draw too much attention. Those corrupted nobles I told you about? They’d be all too happy to strip me of my title, my influence, and my money if they found out I helped the common folk. And then I’d be no help to anyone.”
