All Chapters of Exchanging Vows: The Swapped Wife Is a Top Shaman: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Ivy's Point of ViewThey stood before me, waiting. Loyal. Ready.It was time to tell them the truth."What I'm about to reveal cannot leave this room." I looked at each of them in turn. "If anyone discovers what I'm about to tell you, it could mean death. For me. For all of us."The atmosphere shifted. Became heavier. More serious."I understand if that frightens you. If anyone wishes to leave now, before hearing my secret, they may do so. No judgment. No consequences."No one moved.I took a deep breath."I am a shaman."Silence."Not just any shaman." I let the words sink in. "I am a top shaman. The kind that appears once in a thousand years."Nell's hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes went wide with shock.The guards exchanged stunned glances. Even Ash, stoic and unflappable, looked shaken."Young Madam..." Stone's voice came out hoarse. "Are you certain?""I've known since I was fourteen years old." I clasped my hands behind my back. "I saved my father's life when every physician in

Ivy's Point of ViewThe butler's guards lunged forward.They didn't get far.Ash moved first. His hand shot out like a viper and caught the lead guard by the throat. One swift motion, a twist of his wrist, and the man was on the ground, gasping desperately for air.Stone and Blade handled the other two with equal efficiency. A powerful kick to the knee that sent one crumpling sideways. An elbow to the jaw that dropped the other like a sack of grain. Bodies hitting the dirt before they even knew what was happening.Three guards. Three seconds. All of them down and groaning in the dust.The butler's face went white as fresh snow."What... what..." He stumbled backward, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste to put distance between himself and my guards. "Who are you people?"I stepped forward calmly, adjusting my half-mask with deliberate slowness."I told you." My voice came out low and masculine, exactly as I had practiced. "We're traveling healers.""Healers don't fight like

Ivy's Point of ViewI moved to the small writing desk by the window and pulled out paper and ink."I'll prepare a prescription," I said. "The medicines will stabilize his condition between my visits."Physician Harlow stepped closer, curiosity overcoming his skepticism. Edmund stood nearby, watching my every movement with desperate hope.I dipped the brush in ink and began to write.Moonpetal root. Three parts.Dried silvergrass. Two parts.Crushed amber seed. One part.Wolfsbane extract. Half a part.Honeyed ginger. Four parts.I continued down the page. Each ingredient was common. Available in any decent apothecary. Nothing rare or expensive. Nothing that would draw unwanted attention.But the combinations were anything but ordinary.Physician Harlow leaned over my shoulder, reading as I wrote. His breath caught."This is... this is highly unusual." His voice was strained. "Moonpetal root and wolfsbane extract together? They're supposed to cancel each other out. Every medical text s

Ivy's Point of ViewTen o'clock at night.The pack home had fallen silent. Lights extinguished one by one across the estate like stars winking out of existence. Servants retired to their quarters, exhausted from the day's labors. Guards settled into their posts for the long night ahead, their eyes heavy with the promise of uneventful hours.No one was paying attention to the heir's residence.Perfect.Inside my chambers, the real work began.Nell and the other maids worked quickly and quietly, moving with practiced efficiency. They had been preparing since sunset, following my detailed instructions to the letter. Grinding herbs into fine powder with mortar and pestle. Boiling water in massive kettles over the fire until steam filled the room. Measuring ingredients with careful precision, ensuring each proportion was exactly as I had specified.One wrong measurement could ruin everything. They understood the stakes.The medicinal bath was ready.Ash and Stone carried in bucket after bu

Ivy's Point of ViewThe realization hit me like a bucket of cold water.Luna Helena only had one son. Dominic.If I became infertile, there would be no children from Dominic's bloodline. No heirs to continue Luna Helena's legacy. No grandchildren for her to dote on.The silvervine root wasn't just about preventing pregnancy. It was about ending a family line entirely.*Someone wants to make sure Dominic's branch dies with him.*Even if I healed Dominic, even if he woke up and reclaimed his position, what good would it do if I couldn't bear his children? The heir title would eventually pass to Bastian's line anyway. Just delayed by a generation.It was a long game. A patient scheme.And I had almost fallen for it.I pushed away my breakfast plate, my appetite gone."Are you feeling alright, dear?" Luna Helena looked concerned. "You've barely eaten.""Just tired." I forced a smile. "The bond-breaking ceremony took more out of me than I realized.""You should rest more. Don't push yourse