COUNTER-ATTACK

Elaris’s POV

The guards moved forward instantly, gripping the hilt of their swords as Virelle's claim hovered in the air inside the silent room.

"She was holding the Luna's tonic when we entered," Virelle said.

I looked at her.

"That bottle had already been contaminated before I even touched it."

One guard shifted his gaze toward Maevra.

"Luna, did she give you something?"

"Nothing," Maevra answered in a weak but calm tone.

The flicker of Virelle's face revealed her agitation.

"But she was alone with you."

"So were the servants," Maevra answered.

The guard hesitated.

Virelle stepped closer instantly.

"You can't allow emotions to get in the way of your judgment."

I could see the slight dark smear under her nails.

I felt my pulse accelerate.

She had been handling the poison not long ago.

I turned to Sela.

"Test her hands."

Virelle turned to me instantly.

"What?"

"The healer needs to check everyone who had access to the tonic."

Her assurance disappeared.

"She has been going to the medicine cabinet every night, guards," Virelle cried tearfully, putting on an impeccable performance of being an anxious pack member.

“That is a lie!”

“She knows precisely where every potion is stored!”

“Since Maevra placed me in charge of their distribution.”

Virelle shook her head.

“She got fixated on the Luna’s treatment!”

Maevra’s expression grew stern.

“You refer to my personal caretaker!”

Virelle bowed.

“All I wish is for you to be safe.”

“Then stop insinuating things against the woman I trust personally!”

One of the guards glanced at both of them.

“Lady Virelle, were you there when Elaris altered the medication?”

Virelle faltered.

“I saw the bottle in her hands!”

“That was not what I asked you!”

Silence reigned.

Almost smiled.

At last, a tiny crack appeared in her story!

I rose from the chair carefully, putting the glass bottle down securely onto the night table without letting my emotions get the better of me.

“Inspect it.”

The guard frowned at me.

“What for?”

“Because it will prove that I did not mix the potion.”

Virelle shot a glance at the bottle.

“You may have poisoned it afterwards!”

“Then ask Sela to check it against the original mixture!”

Virelle crossed her arms.

“You seem rather confident!”

“I have nothing to hide.”

Maevra nodded.

“She speaks the truth.”

I reached for the sealed record Sela had delivered before.

“This document includes the list of original ingredients.”

The guard took it from me.

Virelle clenched her fists.

Fear appeared on her face.

Just for a moment.

It was there nonetheless.

“I am a Royal Caretaker appointed by Luna Maevra herself,” I sneered at her, glaring directly into Virelle’s deceitful eyes.

“My duties include access to her remedies.”

Virelle giggled.

“A title doesn’t make you a trustworthy person.”

“No.”

I approached her.

“Her trust does.”

The guard read the record.

“Lady Virelle, did you know the tonic was tampered with?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why did you accuse Elaris before we checked it for poison?”

Virelle opened her mouth.

But nothing came out.

I watched her closely.

She regained control of herself rather fast.

“Because I have seen her holding it.”

“After someone moved it,” I said slowly.

Virelle’s smile faded.

I could see she was scared of what Sela might find.

And it meant she had more than just poison.

Maevra sat up in her bed, her voice firm though she was weak.

"Leave us, Elaris has my full trust and permission to deal with my remedies."

The guards exchanged glances.

One looked at Virelle.

"She made a grave accusation."

Maevra's eyes turned hard.

"Then she should produce some evidence."

Virelle dropped her eyes.

"I understand."

"You may leave."

Virelle started toward the door.

Before going, she looked at me.

Her smile was sweet.

Her eyes weren't.

"I hope you find the new position to your liking."

I replied in a soft voice.

"I do."

And she went out.

The guards followed.

No sooner had the door closed than Maevra let out a relieved breath.

"She knows that you suspect her."

I nodded.

"And she knows that I have evidence."

Maevra's eyes darkened.

"Then she'll be acting even faster."

Virelle's pretense of worry quivered with faint irritation, but she hid it with an elegant little bow and motion for the guards to back off.

"Let the caretaker explain herself," she said.

One of the guards frowned.

"You accused her of poisoning the Luna."

"I was wrong."

"You didn't sound like you were wrong."

Virelle kept her smile plastered on.

"I got scared."

The guard looked at her.

Then he turned to me.

“We will have the tonic analyzed.”

“Thank you.”

As they were leaving, I could see Virelle's hand was slightly shaking.

She thought we would arrest her.

But we had backed down.

But I knew not to be triumphant yet.

Because she had lost this battle.

This wasn’t enough.

“I only care about your health, Luna Maevra,” she purred before giving me another cold, venomous look.

Maevra remained silent.

But I didn’t.

“Then you should hope that the healer does not find anything wrong.”

Virelle's lips tightened into a grimace.

“I am sure that there will be nothing suspicious found after the check.”

“Maybe.”

She moved closer to me.

“You appear to be very confident, despite being accused.”

And I looked straight into her eyes.

“And you appear to be extremely nervous despite your claims of being innocent.”

Her face became hard.

We stayed like that for a few seconds.

But then Virelle leaned forward.

“You do not know what you are getting into.”

“I know plenty.”

Her smile disappeared.

“This castle kills innocent women.”

I said softly,

“Then she should be afraid.”

She didn't answer me as she walked away from me.

Once Virelle was gone, Maevra held onto my hand and told me that she knew Virelle was dangerous and told me to be on guard.

"She won't stop."

"I know."

"You need to tell Averic."

"I will."

Maevra looked into my face.

"Everything."

I looked down at the floor.

She meant more than the poison.

She meant the pregnancy.

"You know about the child."

Her expression became gentler.

"I suspected."

Tears blurred my vision.

"I was afraid."

"Of what?"

"That he would think I trapped him."

Maevra squeezed my fingers gently.

"My son isn't Caedmon."

Those words stuck to my mind like honey.

"You don't have to punish yourself for what another man did."

I swallowed.

"But Virelle..."

"She cannot make your choices for you."

But I realized that I couldn't throw away the bottle because I still need to get a clear sample of the tonic from Sela to prove that it was tainted.

I put the bottle carefully into Maevra's medicine cabinet.

Then I found Sela in the next room where the patients were treated.

"I need another test."

She examined the sample.

"This contains something that shouldn't be there."

"Poison?"

"Not exactly."

I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Sela's tone softened.

"The drug won't be lethal instantly."

My stomach churned.

"But what will it do?"

"It'll reduce your body's ability to recover."

I thought about Maevra's declining state.

"Repeated use can be lethal?"

Sela nodded.

"Yes."

"Is there any way to determine it?"

"I need some time."

"How much?"

"A few hours."

I glanced at the closed cabinet.

"We don't have much time."

Sela suddenly caught my wrist.

"Elaris, there's something else."

"What?"

"This substance doesn't react well with the pregnancy-related essence."

My blood ran cold.

In the evening, I went to the east gardens to sort out my thoughts, but instead, I found Averic coming back from border patrols.

His dark hair was moist from the evening fog.

There was a thin line of dirt on his face.

"You've been avoiding me."

I stopped.

"I've been busy."

"With my mother?"

"And with the medicine."

His features softened.

"What is it?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Now?"

I looked around.

The garden was empty.

"I've found out something about Virelle."

Averic moved closer.

"What?"

I didn't get to say anything – suddenly, nausea hit me like a hammer.

I covered my mouth.

He was more worried now.

“Again?”

I nodded.

“You’re getting worse.”

I forced myself to stand.

“I’m fine.”

He stared at me skeptically.

“You always say that.”

I nearly said something else.

But then I recalled Sela’s warnings.

The compound mixed with the essence of pregnancy.

Had Virelle known?

Could that have been the cause of the worsening symptoms?

He moved closer, taking off his thick fur coat and putting it around my shoulders to shield me from the cool autumn evening air.

“You should not be out here alone.”

“I needed some time.”

“You could have asked me.”

I raised my eyes to look at him.

“You were busy.”

“Not too busy for you.”

His words shook me.

“Averic…”

“What happened today?”

I paused.

“It was an attempt to make it look like I poisoned your mother.”

His expression changed dramatically.

“Who?”

“Virelle.”

His jaw clenched.

“Did she touch you?”

“No.”

“Did she threaten you?”

I looked away from him.

“Elaris.”

I made eye contact.

“She did.”

His aura grew strong.

"I’ll take care of her."

"Not yet."

"Why?"

"Because I want evidence."

He looked at me.

"Then we'll get it together."

His warm tone hurt me inside.

I grabbed his hand.

"There's more."

His fingers squeezed mine.

"Tell me."

"You look worried, Elaris," Averic said, lifting my chin with his hand until our gazes connected just as I felt myself spin and a faint shimmer of silver light flared out from my stomach, right through my dress!

Averic froze.

His gaze fell to my abdomen.

The light glowed once.

And again.

"What was that?"

I instinctively put a hand on my stomach.

"I don't know."

He stepped closer.

"Elaris."

The light flickered again under my palm.

His eyes widened.

"That's essence."

I couldn't breathe.

He lightly moved toward my stomach.

As soon as his fingers touched air above it, the shimmering silver light glowed even brighter.

His expression changed from confused to surprised.

"Your body reacts to me."

I took a step back.

"Averic, please..."

His gaze searched mine.

"Why are you afraid?"

I didn't have an answer.

Then I heard footsteps approaching from behind us.

Sela appeared out of the garden path, looking pale and gasping for breath.

“Elaris!”

I turned around.

She was staring at Averic.

Then she glanced at the silver light radiating from under my dress.

“I saw her color drain from her face.

“Not only was the toxin weakening Maevra’s body.”

Averic’s face grew sterner.

“What else has it been doing?”

Sela swallowed.

“It has also been activating Elaris’s pregnancy essence.”

Silence.

He glanced at my belly once again.

“A pregnancy?”

I closed my eyes.

The secret was not mine to keep anymore.

And then Sela said the words that only made the situation more complicated.

“And if Virelle knew of such reaction…”

She pointed towards the palace.

“Then she has poisoned Maevra to make Elaris’s pregnancy known.”