Chapter 2

SAPHRA’S POV

Sweat ran down my face. There was noise everywhere and the kitchen was so hot and smelled like burned meat.

I stayed in a corner, trying not to get in anyone’s way while I learned how this place ran. Fifteen people, maybe more, moved around like they’d done this forever. Unlike me, who literally had no idea what exactly was going on, except that food was being prepared, these lots knew exactly what was going on.

A large woman with flour on her hands marched over to me.

“You are the new girl?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Can you cook?”

“A little.”

She looked me up and down and sighed. “Of course. Another useless one.” She pointed to a pile of vegetables by the sink. “Chop those. Don’t cut yourself. I won’t tolerate blood in the stew.”

“Got it.”

I picked up a knife. It wasn’t as sharp as the one in my boot, but it would do. There were some other maidens working beside me, gossiping. As I chopped, I listened.

“The Alpha’s holding a meeting with the council tonight,” someone said.

“Again? Third this week.”

“He’s planning something big. I can feel it.”

“Doesn’t matter to us. Keep your head down and do your work.”

There was to be a meeting tonight. Lucien would definitely be busy. Of course he would be distracted. That thought lit something in me.

“Hey, new girl!” the big woman barked.

I looked up. “Those carrots aren’t going to chop themselves. Move faster.”

“Sorry,” I said, and my hands went quicker, but my mind was already elsewhere.

By sunset I was exhausted. My hands were extremely sore, smelling of onions. My back was already stiff. Work was done so everyone headed to the workers’ quarters at the back of the grounds. I followed, keeping my head low.

The quarters were cramped with rows of bed. Most of them were filled. I found an empty one in a corner and sat down.

“First day?” a voice asked.

I looked. A young man sat on the bed next to mine. His eyes looked exhausted and his dark hair stood in a tired manner.

“Yeah.”

“How was it?”

“Fine.”

“That’s a lie,” he said with a small smile. “Kitchens are hell, especially for the new ones.”

I didn’t answer.

“I’m Joren,” he said.

“Saphra.”

“If you need anything, ask. Been here six months. I know things.”

“Thanks,” I said. He laid back and closed his eyes.

When most were asleep I slipped out. The palace grounds were bigger than I thought. There were gardens, training yards and buildings I didn’t recognize. Guards walked their rounds. I stayed hidden, while searching for Lucien’s chambers. That’s where he’d be the most vulnerable.

“Where do you think you’re going?” a guard asked from behind a pillar.

I froze. My mind scrambled for something ordinary to say.

“Looking for the washrooms,” I blurted. “I’m new. I…must have lost my way.”

He stared, then pointed left. “That way. Don’t wander. I’ll report you if you do.”

“Thank you,” I said and moved off. That had been close. Another close catch.

The next morning, I was back in the kitchens. I had finally gotten the name of the bug woman who kept barking endlessly yesterday. Her name was Hilda. And as her usual practice is, she resumed her duty, barking orders. I kept my head down and did what I was told.

“Saphra, take this tray to the dining hall,” she shoved a tray of bread at me.

“The dining hall?”

“Yes. Guards eat there in the morning. Hurry.”

I carried the tray across the palace, trying to memorize halls and doors. The dining hall had long tables and loud guards. I set the tray down.

“About time,” someone grumbled. The fuck? About time that what?

“Sorry,” I said and turned to go, but a guard snagged my arm.

“You new?” he asked, eyes lingering.

“Yes.”

“Your name?” He asked, alcohol oozing from his breath. I struggled not to squeeze my face in reaction to the repulsive stench.

“Saphra” I murmured, unable to speak properly.

“Pretty name for a pretty girl,” he smirked.

I pulled free. “Anything else?”

“Sit with us for a bit. Company’s dull.”

“I have work,” I said and left before he could push it.

Walking back I heard voices from a hallway. I pressed to the wall and listened. No one was around the area so it was safe to listen. Anywhere I heard gossip, I was keen to know what it was about.

“The Alpha wants the reports by tonight.”

“All of them?”

“Yes. He’s not in a good mood.”

My chest tightened as they walked out of the room they were in. I quickly hid and when they had walked down, I sneakily followed the men at a distance as they moved down the corridor.

They stopped at a large door. One knocked. “My lord, we have the reports.”

“Enter,” a voice replied.

I edged closer to the crack and peered in. And then I caught a glimpse of him. There he was.

Lucien sat behind a desk, straight-backed, looking as cold as I could remember. Tall, dark hair, sharp features, exactly what I remembered. Exactly what flashed in nightmares. Seeing him made my hands ball into fists.

I wanted to run in, to stab him, to make him feel what my father felt. But not now. Not like this.

“Saphra!” Hilda’s voice snapped me back.

“What are you doing here? Back to work!” she said.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said and quickly walked away, but my mind kept replaying his face.

That night I laid awake with my eyes fixed on the ceiling above me. My father’s face wouldn’t leave my mind. Neither the blade that pierced through his chest, with Lucien standing over him.

“Why didn’t you run?” I whispered into the dark. If I’d run maybe none of this would be burned into me. But I didn’t. I stayed. Now I had to finish what had been started.

Later, Joren sat up. “You okay? You’ve been tossing all night.”

“I’m fine,” I said.

“You don’t look fine. If you want to talk—”

“I don’t.”

“Alright.”

I turned to face the wall. I didn’t need talking. I needed him dead.

The next few days that followed, turned into routine. Chop, carry, listen, watch. I learned guard rotations and who moved where. I tried to find any opening to get closer.

One evening Hilda handed me a tray. “Take this to the western hall. Council members requested food.”

“The western hall?” I hadn’t been there before.

“Just go.” She barked as usual.

I carried the food along a corridor I’d never walked. As I approached the wide doors I slowed. I could hear some voices.

“The borders are secure, my lord. No threats.” I could hear someone say. And just then, without even seeing him, I knew he was there. My hands trembled like I could feel him.

I knocked softly.

“Enter,” a voice said.

I pushed the already open and stepped inside. Inside, there was a long table filled with men. At its head, Lucien sat with his head bowed.

“Set the tray down and leave,” a councilman said.

My hands shook as I set the tray down and turned to go. But not without stealing another glance at the man who ruined my childhood.

As soon as I stepped out, two guards came at me. “Hey! You there! Stop!”

They grabbed my arms. “What were you doing in the western hall?”

“Delivering food,” I said.

“This area’s restricted. You shouldn’t be here.”

“I was told to bring this.”

They looked at me sternly and without saying a word, I walked out of their sight, withy head bowed. I was getting closer to my goal. I just needed to be more careful.

The next few days passed in a blur again. And every chance I got, I tried to figure out how to penetrate Lucien’s chambers without being caught. But it wasn’t easy. The palace was huge, and there were guards everywhere.

“Saphra, take these dishes to the storage room,” Hilda barked again one evening.

“Yes, ma’am.”

I took the dishes and walked out of the kitchens. But instead of going to the storage room, I took a different route.

I had been watching the guards’ patrol patterns for days. I knew there was a gap between shifts around this time. If I was fast enough, I could slip through. I moved quickly through the hallways, keeping my head down. My heart was pounding terribly but I kept going. The hallways were wider here, and the were walls decorated with expensive tapestries. This was my chance. I just needed to wait for the perfect timing to cease it.

I waited until the guards were gone, then continued down the hallway. There were several doors, but one of them was larger than the others, with intricate carvings on the wood. That was it. I walked toward the door, my hand reaching for the handle. I just wanted to confirm if he was inside. If he was, he would definitely not be expecting an attack. It was the best time for revenge.

“What are you doing here?” I heard instead. I froze.

I turned around slowly and saw two guards standing behind me, holding their swords. I swallowed and tried to control my breathing so as not to show my panic.

“I asked you a question. What are you doing here?” He barked this time.

My mind raced. I needed an excuse. Something believable.

“I got lost. I was looking for the storage room.”

“The storage room is on the other side of the palace.” It was the other guard who replied this time.

“I’m new. I didn’t know.”

The first one who had spoken earlier stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “This area is restricted. Only the Alpha and his personal staff are allowed here.”

“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”

I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my arm.

“Not so fast. You were trying to open the Alpha’s door. That’s not getting lost. That’s trespassing.”

My heart dropped. I had been caught.

“I wasn’t—”

“Save it. You’re coming with us.” And without another word, they grabbed both my arms, the tray in my hand clattering to the ground and started dragging me down the hallway.

“Wait! I didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Tell that to the Alpha.”

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

They were taking me to Lucien.

My mind was screaming at me to fight, to run, but I couldn’t. There were too many guards. Too many people. I was trapped.

They marched me down the hall. My stomach dropped. They were taking me to him, and I didn’t know if I was ready.