CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

The price for cheating death.

SOLANA

Cold spread through me as I stared at the woman. I clenched the herbs so tightly in my fist that the stems cut into my palm. 

She ran her gaze over me with her nose raised in the air. The silk of her gown was finer than anything I had ever seen or touched. Sweet perfume drifted from her; her wrists were adorned with expensive jewellery, which flashed every time she moved. She was royalty, and now she had caught me with hands full of plants I had no business gathering. 

For a moment I imagined Ronan finding out, and sweat trickled down my back. The punishment would be severe.

“I am Lady Tatiana of House Grey.” She introduced herself, still staring at me with curiosity. 

“H – Hi,” I whispered, pushing past the knot in my throat, and bowed my head as I’d always done. I straightened my shoulders and kept the herbs hidden against my skirts. I had nothing to fear. I made myself believe this.

“And you’re the infamous little breeder.” Her eyes twinkled with excitement. “The reason the Capital is buzzing. Like everyone, I expected to hear the news of your demise by morning, yet you stand here, capable and strong.”

Heat flashed through me at her cruel words. Little breeder. I clenched my jaw hard and kept my face impassive.

“What are you doing here?” She tilted her head at me. “I assumed the King would have kept you locked in your room, breeding you until you got pregnant.” She was mocking me.

“I needed fresh air,” I said stiffly. “And my name is Solana.” Not little breeder. 

“Solana.” She tested the name out loud. “You couldn’t find fresh air walking in the square? You had to come to the garden?” She looked around, nose scrunched. She was one of those pretentious noble women. 

“I find the garden calming,” I answered with a fake smile.

My eyes slid past her to the two maids behind her. The same ones from last night, the ones who had tied me to the bed and spoken of my death as if there was nothing I could do about it. A fresh chill went down my spine. I had survived. I seemed to constantly need to remind myself because my body remembered how paralysing the fear was. Death had been certain. I cheated it, and now, I paid the price.

“Welcome to the Capital, Solana.” Tatiana’s smile widened.

“I have a feeling we are going to be close friends. I am hosting a brunch in the square tomorrow, and I’ll love to have you.” She stepped closer. 

I tightened my grip until the herbs crushed wetly against my skin. 

“You will need all the friends you can find, but you have to be careful because the Capital is swimming with sharks. With me on your side, you will be able to stand taller than you already do.” She beamed at me. “So, what do you say?” 

A brunch with noblewomen.

In Shadowridge, I hadn’t been allowed to sit with the noblewomen. Raina, my stepmother, often hosted brunches, and I was always stuck in the kitchen, scrubbing away until my hands were bruised and blistered. I wasn’t foolish enough to think this was a true invitation of friendship. She was one of the sharks she had warned me about. 

“Of course.” I nodded, keeping the smile on my face.

Rejecting her outright would put a target on my back and extend this conversation. 

“How sweet. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She smiled wider and stepped aside.

I looked at Sebastian and Lily, nodded, and headed out. I knew she was still watching me. Every step reverberated through me. I was almost past the arched gates when she called me.

“Solana,”

Shit.

I stopped and turned to her. “Yes?”

She closed the distance quickly, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “I am too curious to wait. You have to tell me. How did you survive him? How did you handle King Ronan? What makes you so different? What is your secret?”

My mouth parted, and my lungs tightened. 

“I …” I stammered, blinking.

What was my secret? 

“The seamstress will be waiting for you, my lady.” Lily nudged me softly, and I looked at her. 

No seamstress waited for me.

“Yes, yes.” I nodded fervently and glanced at Tatiana. “Perhaps we can continue this at brunch tomorrow?” 

Her eyes narrowed, but she nodded. “Tomorrow, then.”

I turned around and left. I didn’t speak to anyone. I did not thank Lily. Sebastian stopped outside my door. I shut Lily out of the bath chamber and locked myself in. 

My hands were still shaking when I tipped the crushed herbs into a shallow bowl. I ground it with the back of a spoon, grinding until the paste turned dark. The bitter scent filled the air, but I continued. Only when I reached for the last plant did I realise my mistake. 

I had missed the most important seed.

My stomach bottomed, and I muttered a curse. 

Tatiana distracted me. 

How could I have let this happen? It was right there, and I had missed it.

It was the most potent seed. Without it, the tea would do nothing. I glanced at the window, at the setting sun. I could not return to the garden again, not with the maid watching me, with everyone watching me. 

What if Ronan sent for me tonight?

What if last night had already taken root? 

I sat at the edge of the cold tub, staring at the unfinished mixture in front of me, cold sweat beading on my forehead. The mixture was useless. I had to redo it from the start. I had missed my chance to fix this. He would come for me, and nothing would protect me from his beast.