Sera's POV
I have twenty-four hours to stop a massacre.
My hands shake as I watch Vivienne and Ravon disappear back into the dungeons. They're planning to poison the entire Keep tomorrow night. I should tell Kael immediately.
But I can't. Not yet.
Because if I reveal what I know, they'll know I was spying. They'll change their plans. And I'll lose my chance to catch them with actual proof.
So I have to play along. Pretend I don't know. Let Vivienne think her poisoning attempt worked.
The next morning, Vivienne comes to my chambers for lunch, wearing her fake concerned-sister face.
I worry about you so much, she says, sitting across from me. This place is so cold and frightening. And the King... Father says he's dangerous.
Kael protects me, I say, forcing myself to sound calm.
Does he? Vivienne tilts her head. Then why do you train every day like you're preparing for war? Why did assassins attack you? Why does everyone here seem to hate you?
Not everyone, I say.
Lady Morgana certainly does. Vivienne stands and walks to my side table, where wine and glasses wait. Maybe she knows something you don't. Maybe she knows the King will get bored of his broken Queen eventually.
My power flickers dangerously under my skin. I'm not broken.
Of course not, Vivienne says quickly, pouring wine into two glasses. She brings one to me with a sweet smile. To sisters? Despite everything, you're still my family.
She raises her glass, watching me expectantly.
I raise mine too, but something screams in my gut: Don't drink it.
I bring the glass to my lips but don't let the wine touch them. I pretend to sip.
Vivienne drinks from her own glass, her eyes never leaving mine. Aren't you going to drink?
I did, I lie.
No, you didn't. I saw you. Her smile tightens. It's rude not to toast properly.
Then I'm rude. I set down my glass, watching her carefully.
For just one second, Vivienne's sweet mask cracks. Pure rage flashes across her face. Then it's gone, replaced by fake hurt.
Well, I suppose traveling has made me tired, she says stiffly. I should rest.
She leaves, but I notice she takes her wine glass with her. Destroying evidence.
The moment the door closes, I grab the glass she poured for me and run to Elder Thorne's chambers.
Test this, I demand, breathless. Right now.
Thorne takes the glass and begins his tests. His expression grows darker with each passing moment.
Wolfs bane mixed with a powerful magic suppressant, he finally says. Not enough to kill you outright, but enough to make you violently ill for weeks. Your powers would be completely blocked.
Just like I suspected. My own sister tried to poison me.
We must tell the King
No. I grip his arm. Not yet. I need proof. Real, undeniable proof of what they're planning. If I tell Kael now, they'll deny everything and change their strategy.
Thorne studies me carefully. You know something more. What aren't you telling me?
I want to tell him about Ravon hiding in the dungeons, about the plan to poison everyone tomorrow. But I can't risk it. Not until I know who else might be involved.
Trust me, I say instead. Just give me until tomorrow night.
That evening, I pretend to be sick. I send word to the Great Hall that I'm not feeling well and won't attend dinner.
Vivienne visits within the hour, her face all fake concern.
Sister! I heard you're ill. How terrible! She looks around my chambers like she's checking to make sure I'm really suffering.
Must have been something I ate, I say weakly, lying in bed.
Vivienne's smile widens just slightly. Rest well. I'm sure you'll feel better very soon.
The satisfaction in her voice makes me want to explode with power and throw her through the wall. But I stay weak, playing my role.
After she leaves, Tessa emerges from the hidden servant's passage where she's been listening.
She practically danced out of here, Tessa says darkly. She thinks it worked.
Good. Now we wait.
At midnight, I hear whispers outside my door. I crack it open just enough to see Vivienne and Lady Morgana huddled together in the dark corridor.
The poison should have worked by now, Morgana hisses. Why isn't she bedridden?
She didn't drink enough, Vivienne admits, frustration clear in her voice. But she's definitely weakened. This is our chance. If we can convince the King she's unstable, dangerous
He'll set her aside, Morgana finishes eagerly. And I can finally take my rightful place as Queen.
Or I can, Vivienne says coldly. I don't care which of us gets the crown, as long as it's not her. She doesn't deserve any of this. I deserve it. I've always deserved it.
I've heard enough. Time to end this.
I throw open the door, standing tall and healthy, silver power crackling around my hands like lightning.
Both women gasp, stumbling backward.
You! Vivienne's face goes white. You're supposed to be
Poisoned? Weak? Broken? I step toward them, and the corridor lights flare brighter. Your wine didn't work, sister. Elder Thorne tested it. We have proof of everything.
Morgana turns to run, but Tessa steps out of the shadows behind her, blocking the way.
Going somewhere? Tessa asks, her hand on her sword.
I signal, and guards pour into the corridor from both directions, surrounding them.
You set us up, Vivienne snarls, her beautiful face twisted with hate.
I learned from the best, I say coldly. You've been teaching me my whole life how to spot snakes. Thank you for that.
You can't prove anything! Morgana shrieks. It's our word against yours!
Actually, Elder Thorne appears, holding the poisoned wine glass, I can prove quite a lot. This wine contains enough wolfsbane to kill a normal wolf. For a Moon Blessed, it would cause weeks of agony.
Take them to the dungeons, I order the guards. And post extra guards. I don't want them having any visitors.
As the guards drag them away, Vivienne screams at me. Father will destroy you for this! You're nothing! You were always nothing!
I was, I agree quietly. But I'm not anymore.
Tessa grips my shoulder proudly as my sister disappears down the corridor.
I did it. I actually did it.
But my victory feels hollow. Because I know what they don't this was just the opening move.
The real threat is still hiding in the dungeons.
And tomorrow night, Duke Ravon will poison the Keep whether Vivienne is free or not.
I need to tell Kael everything. Now.
But when I go to his chambers, the guards stop me.
The King cannot be disturbed, one says. He's in an emergency council meeting.
About what?
The rebel army, my Queen. They've reached the northern border. They'll be here in two days.
My blood turns to ice.
Two days. The rebels will attack in two days.
The same night as the celebration.
The same night Ravon plans to poison everyone.
It's not a coincidence. They're coordinating.
While we're all dying from poisoned water, weakened and confused, the rebel army will storm the Keep.
We won't stand a chance.
I turn and run toward the dungeons, Tessa racing beside me.
What is it? she demands.
Ravon's still here. He's been hiding in the dungeons. He's planning to poison the celebration feast the same night the rebels attack.
We reach the dungeon entrance and throw open the door.
The guards who should be posted here are gone.
We race down the stairs into darkness.
When we reach the cells, my heart stops.
All the prisoners are dead. Guards too. Blood everywhere.
And on the wall, written in blood, a message:
TOO LATE, MOON BLESSED. THE CURSE AWAKENS TONIGHT.
Beneath it, a symbol I recognize from Thorne's books.
The mark of the blood curse. The one that says when a Moon Blessed fully bonds with an Alpha King, one must die.
What does it mean? Tessa whispers, horrified.
Before I can answer, pain explodes through my chest.
Not physical pain. Something worse.
The mate bond. Snapping into place like a chain locking shut.
I gasp and fall to my knees, clutching my chest.
Somewhere in the Keep, I know Kael is feeling the exact same thing.
The bond is complete.
The curse is active.
And according to everything I've read, we have three days before one of us dies.