Chapter 3

Ember

I have a plan. As a girl in school, I heard rumors of an apothecary run by witches willing to deal with… unconventional situations. I just need to make my way to the tavern housing the apothecary and pray to the Goddess that they have something to suppress my mate bond.

Easy. I grab my wallet and exit my room. I do my best to hurry past Bianca’s door as I make my way down the hallway, but am thwarted as her voice calls out, “Ember, I need help!”

I sigh, checking my watch, before turning to see what she needs. As I enter the room, I see that she has several gowns laid out across her bed and that she stands in front of a full-length mirror eyeing herself in another.

“I can’t zip these,” she states plainly as she continues her appraisal of herself.

I hold in groan as I move to help her, knowing that it would take longer to argue. She grins smugly as she catches my eye in the mirror, turning to face me as I finish my task.

“I know you’re too simple to ask so I’ll just tell you,” she starts. “These gowns are for the palace! I met Princess Lila yesterday and we hit it off so well that she asked me to come back to the palace today.”

I roll my eyes as she turns back to mirror and continues. “Today is the day. When I’m in the palace, I am going to make my move on Prince Kaine. He’s the only mate that makes sense for me, no one else can match my status.”

She turns back motioning for me to unzip her. “Besides,” she continues stretching her arms out to impersonate Prince Kaine’s large frame. “How could I resist? Have you seen him?”

My mind drifts back to the previous evening and I speak before I can stop myself. “He does have an amazing body.”

Bianca stares for a second before scoffing. “As if it matters what you think of him. You’re not worthy to breathe the same air as Prince Kaine, there is no way he’d ever want someone like you.”

My blood boils, but I tamp down my anger, ready to end the interaction. “I think you can handle the rest of these gowns on your own,” I reply, rushing out of the room before she can stop me.

Later, I as I make my way into the alley behind the tavern, a voice rings out, “Come back anytime!”

“I suppose it’s easy to be cheerful when you’ve just acquired someone’s life savings,” I mutter. I have three months; that is how long this potion is supposed to suppress the bond. I have three months to come up with the money for another vial or to find another solution.

An hour later, I stand quietly in formation when another member of the guard walks up and says something quickly to my Sergeant. He looks concerned for a moment before calling out, “Ember McMann.”

“Yes, Sergeant,” I call, struggling to keep my voice steady.

“You are to go with Officer Ortega.”

“Yes, Sergeant,” I repeat, willing my breath to slow. I clench my fists to keep my hands from shaking as the guard grabs me by the arm and begins to lead me toward the palace.

My heart thuds in my chest, and I fight to remain in control as panic begins flooding my body. I’ve been discovered. My dreams are dead.

“What is this about?” I question. I already know that I’m being led toward my downfall.

The guard looks at me briefly before glancing at my uniform and sighing, “They need to question every woman who was in the palace last night.”

I catch my breath as hope blooms in my chest. They don’t know that it’s me.

I send up a quick prayer to the Goddess that this potion is strong enough to suppress the bond if I cross paths with Prince Kaine as the guard continues to lead me toward the palace. I just need to get through this interrogation, and I will be free to live my life, at least for the next three months.

The guard continues to drag me along, either oblivious to or uncaring toward my inner turmoil. He guides me away from the main entrance of the palace and along a small path through a back door, then down a long hallway that doesn’t appear to get much use.

As we continue forward, I can’t help but notice the stark difference between Prince Kaine’s room in the basement and the rest of the palace.

Where Prince Kaine’s room is simple, even barren, the palace is extravagant. Even the seemingly abandoned hallway I am being dragged along is more ornate. The walls are littered with expensive-looking art, and intricate sconces adorn the wall every six feet or so.

The guard continues to pull me until he leads me through a doorway and into a large room where about thirty other women are gathered. Before them stands another group of guards, all wearing various expressions of contempt.

As I take in the guards’ uniforms, I realize that they are all extremely powerful officers. I turn to the guard escorting me and give him a questioning look, but he simply shrugs and leads me to take my place among the women.

It appears that I am the last female to arrive. As my escort leaves, the guard standing in front of the line of women steps forward. He crosses his arms behind his back and begins pacing around us as he begins to speak.

“If you are innocent, you have nothing to fear. If you are guilty… you better hope we don’t find out.” He pauses in front of two women near the end of the line and pulls them to the front. Several other guards step toward the line and begin doing the same thing.

As the head guard speaks his tone is vicious. He barks out, “What were you doing at the palace?”

The woman on the left answers first, visibly shaking. “I-I was just delivering some flowers. I work at the florist that does the arrangements for the palace. I—why am I here?”

The guard laughs, getting in the woman’s face. “You are here because we called you here.” He pushes the woman back into line and looks at the other. “And you?”

“I-I—I just—” The woman begins to cry.

“Spit it out!”

Guilt consumes me as the guards scream at the women. I can’t be certain this is about last night, but it would make sense. The last thing I want is to draw attention to myself, but I need to help in some way.

I step forward and face the women. “I am sure there is a valid explanation for this. The royal family upholds the law. We are safe; they wouldn’t punish anyone without just cause.”

Some of the women look skeptical, but the group seems to visibly relax as they take in my words. The head guard turns to me, a look of malice on his face. “You have no right to speak of men’s business, woman!”

So much for not drawing attention to myself. My blood boils at the guard’s words, and I can’t help but snap back at him. I wear a uniform the same as him.

“You are creating chaos and panic! The majority of these women are innocent, and yet you belittle us!”

The guard gets in my face. “You will not speak to me this way.”

I grit my teeth. “Are you prepared to face the consequences if this continues to get out of hand?”

I hold my breath, waiting for the guard’s wrath when Prince Kaine’s beta strides into the room. “Enough.” The room goes quiet, and the guard who was in my face steps back.

The beta continues, “We have gathered everyone here because a woman made a direct attack on Prince Kaine last night. We need to find the culprit.”

My head buzzes as I take in this information. An attack on Prince Kaine? I was with him until morning. My heart sinks, and I realize what’s happening.

Prince Kaine is planning to reject me, and more than that, he would rather round me up like a criminal than admit that we were ever mated to begin with. Goddess, please tell me he didn’t see my face.

The door opens again, and Prince Kaine steps into the room. I quickly lower my head, trying not to catch his eye. I can’t be found. I could lose everything.

Prince Kaine’s footsteps echo as he begins to survey the group. I hear them draw closer, but I keep my head down, praying that he moves on. I watch as his shoes approach and then stop right in front of me.

No.

Prince Kaine’s voice is commanding as he barks the order, “Look up.”