55

I put what I assumed to be a few months’ wages into a small bag and handed it to

Rue. “Will you take this to Rona’s family with my regrets?”

Rue’s eyes widened. “Milady, pardon my forwardness, but I’m not sure if—”

“Just offer it,” I said. “And if they refuse, then I’ll find a different way to help them. But I have to do something, if Ulfric is willing to stoop to such levels.” Rona was the one who had attacked me— but now her whole family was suffering. Not just the loss of a daughter, but the loss of a dream.

“Of course,” Rue said. “Right away.”

She hurried out the door. As I’d rummaged through my trunk, I’d uncovered Barion’s knife. I wrapped my hand around the hilt and pressed my lips together. It was a good blade. At the time I’d thought him a bit paranoid, but now I understood that I did need to remain armed. It seemed everywhere I turned, someone in this court was trying to harm me from the shadows. It made me feel better to have the knife in my hand.

With a sigh, I nearly collapsed into the seat at the table. I’d barely had a sip of my coffee and I was starving. Amity and Rue busied themselves cleaning up the bathroom, gathering the dirty linens and towels. They were headed back to the laundry room—and, Rue had said, they’d take care of the cloak I’d walked in with. It reeked, but I did want it back once it was clean. I purposefully did not investigate that desire too deeply.

By the time I’d eaten and dressed and tucked my weapon carefully into the waistband of my skirt, it was well beyond breakfast time. I made my way to the solarium, where Amity had informed me Fina and Adora were having a mid-morning tea. As soon as I walked in, Fina jumped to her feet and pulled me into a hard hug. The urgency of the motion surprised me, and I smiled as I returned it. Then she pulled back and placed both hands on my shoulders, concern creasing her brow.

“Are you okay?” she asked immediately. “What happened last night?”

Adora stirred her tea, watching me with similar concern. “Your wolf looked upset when you came out of the room. What did the council say to you?”

I sighed. I must’ve looked just as exhausted as I felt, because Fina set her hand at my mid back and guided me to the table. I joined them, and Adora poured me a cup of sweet-smelling green tea.

“I didn’t intend to shift,” I admitted.

Fina widened her eyes. “Your wolf forced it?”

“Yes,” I said. “I typically only shift on the full moon, and sometimes I don’t even shift then.” Adora hummed in acknowledgment, concern and confusion warring in her eyes.

“Do you remember when we were chatting, and the server came up to offer me a glass of wine?” I asked.

“Um, I don’t know,” Fina said. “I admit I wasn’t really paying attention to the service.”

“Nor was I,” Adora said. “I was too anxious about meeting with the council.”

“It was strange,” I said. “At one point, right before I went into the meeting, I drank a glass of wine a server had brought me specifically. And then I started to feel sick, sick and dizzy, like I’d had an entire bottle by myself.”

“You were drugged,” Fina said, stunned.

I nodded. “I think so. The drugs forced me to shift.”

That wasn’t entirely untrue—the drugs had loosened my tongue, and my inhibitions, which had allowed my wolf to react to my panic. It hadn’t been forced, per se, but it had primed me to lose control. Which, to me, was pretty close to forcing.

“Who would do such a thing?” Adora asked.

I sighed and took a sip of my tea. As much as I wanted their support—they didn’t know Rona had attacked me. I trusted them, but at the same time, how much could I safely share?

“I don’t know,” I said.

“Are you all right?” Fina asked. “Was your wolf able to run off the drugs?”

I nodded. “I think shifting helped,” I admitted. “The run cleared my head.” I couldn’t tell them how I’d spent my evening, either. The mere thought of it made my cheeks burn.

“Well, whatever happened didn’t seem to hurt your chances in the competition,” Fina said with a small, sad smile.

“What?” I asked, setting my teacup down with a clink onto the table. “What do you mean?”

“I’m out,” Fina said with a shrug that looked decidedly faux-casual. “I’ve been dismissed from the Choice.”

My heart sank. “Oh, no, Fina,” I said. I reached out over the table and folded my hand over hers.

“Fina, I’m so sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” she said with a small laugh. “It makes your odds better.” Before I could answer, though, she glanced between us with a shake of her head. “I guess the king has a type.”

“The king’s not the only one who makes the decision,” I said. “The council may have more of a hand in this than we think.”

“Could be prioritizing trade,” Adora said. “Particularly if the king wants to expand his territory.”

Fina shook her head. “The reason doesn’t matter to me. I’m just grateful I don’t have to go home immediately. I would hate to have to leave you two without having a chance to say goodbye.” “You get to stay, then?” I asked.

She nodded. “The duchess has allowed me the option to stay until the end of the Choice. Both

Rona and Wynona were offered the same, apparently, but neither took the option.”

My gut clenched. So the truth about Rona was still being kept under wraps. I was grateful to still be able to spend time with Fina though.

“Why don’t we make the most of our time this afternoon, then?” I asked. “We could take a stroll in the gardens.”

Adora looked at me in slight shock. “In this cold weather? I’d assumed you’d be miserable in this heat.”

“The exercise will do me good,” I said. “Going on a run helped me adjust to the climate. And regardless, I’d like to spend some time with you both in private.”