The Lady in the Silver Mask

Chapter 3: The West Nursery

The west wing smelled of dust and sealed memories.

Mrs. Vale pushed Evelina's chair down the corridor while guards shouted behind them. At the end stood a white nursery door painted with tiny golden stars.

Three locks sealed it.

"Adrian said this room was unsafe," Evelina whispered.

"It is," Mrs. Vale said, pulling keys from beneath her collar. "For him."

The locks opened one by one.

Inside, dust floated in gray light. A child's bed stood against the wall. Shelves held old toys and picture books. On the floor, half-hidden beneath a rug, was a circle of golden symbols.

Mrs. Vale crossed to the fireplace and pressed a loose tile. A hidden compartment opened. Inside was a bundle wrapped in blue cloth.

"I should have given you this years ago," she said.

Evelina unwrapped it.

Inside was a child's shoe, a silver rattle, and a small painted portrait.

The portrait showed Evelina in a wheelchair, wearing her silver mask, holding an infant wrapped in gold-threaded blankets.

Evelina stared at it.

"I have never had a child."

Mrs. Vale's eyes filled with tears. "Yes, my lady. You have."

"No. I would remember."

"Not if they took the memory with the movement."

Before Evelina could speak, a voice came from behind them.

"From me."

Adrian stood inside the nursery. Beside him was the boy, held by a guard with a knife near his throat.

"I tried," the boy whispered.

Evelina's heart twisted.

"Who is he?" she asked.

Adrian picked up the silver rattle.

"You were pregnant when you tried to leave me," he said. "You found contracts, debts, and certain arrangements. You wanted to take my heir and run."

"My brother is dead."

"Eventually."

Evelina went cold.

"The child?" she asked.

Adrian smiled faintly. "Our son was born while you slept. His life-thread stayed tied to your body. That is why your legs failed."

Evelina looked at the boy's golden hands.

"No," she whispered.

"Yes," Adrian said. "He is your son."

Then he looked toward the golden circle.

"And if you want him to live, you will let me put him back where he belongs."