Execution order.
My fingers just went numb right there on the bars.
I tried breathing but the air felt like sand scraping down my throat.
At dawn Cassian said. And he had to carry it out because he was commanded to.
For a second nothing else got through to me.
Not the soldiers standing around. Not that quiet drip somewhere in the cell. Not even my own heartbeat.
Just that one word hanging there.
Dawn.
I gripped the bars tighter my knuckles starting to ache.
Say youre lying I whispered at him.
Cassian didnt even blink. I dont lie he said.
Of course he doesnt.
He just kills people instead.
My stomach twisted up and I swallowed hard to push it down.
Then refuse I snapped back.
The soldiers behind him got tense like Id just said something that could get me in more trouble.
Cassians gaze stayed the same. Refusal is treason he told me.
So commit treason I hissed feeling irrational and shaky all over. Be a traitor for once in your life.
He looked at me like I was some kid throwing a tantrum at nothing.
You think treason just ends with an apology he said. It ends with your head on a spike right next to mine.
Good I shot back. At least wed match that way.
Silence fell after that.
I hated how my voice cracked at the end. Like I might cry or something. But I wasnt going to. Not right now anyway.
Cassian glanced down at the scroll he was holding.
Then back at me.
His eyes narrowed a little like he was sizing something up.
Youre not reacting like most noblewomen would he pointed out.
I already died I blurted out before I could stop myself then bit my tongue.
The whole room went still after that.
One soldier shifted like he wanted to pretend he hadnt heard.
Cassian leaned in closer to the bars.
Explain he said.
My mouth dried up completely.
Not now. Not in this way.
But I forced some words out anyway half truths coming fast and messy.
I mean Ive already accepted death once I said. I know how it works. A crowd watching. Some speech. Then you just.
My throat closed off right there mid sentence.
Cassian watched my face staying cold and focused.
Youre describing an execution he said.
No I snapped louder than I meant. Im describing what youll do if you follow those orders.
He didnt flinch at all.
But his gaze got sharper like he wasnt buying it.
He turned his head a bit toward the soldiers.
Out he said.
They hesitated for a second.
Out Cassian repeated quieter this time. Close the door behind you.
They went fast after that.
The lock clicked shut.
Now it was only me and him with the bars in between.
My skin crawled even so.
Cassian stepped right up close his face almost at the bars.
You have minutes he said. Convince me you can stop this from happening.
My breath caught in my chest.
So he wasnt here to break it to me gently.
He wanted to see if I was worth going against the palace for.
Fine then.
I swallowed my fear down like it was something bitter.
I can prove the physician framed me I said. Not later but right now.
Cassian didnt show any reaction.
I kept going before he could cut me off.
That vial he showed today I said. Nightshade. He didnt find it he made it himself. He keeps the rest in his private cabinet in the infirmary wing. Behind the saint statue on the third shelf.
His eyes narrowed at that.
I talked faster because the words were spilling out like they had to.
Theres an assistant I said. Young guy named Soren. He does the deliveries. Swaps the trays in the morning right before the guards change shift.
Cassians gaze went flat.
How do you know names from inside the infirmary he asked.
My throat tightened up.
Because I saw it all happen in my last life. Because I was dead already when they covered it up.
But I couldnt say any of that.
Ive been to the palace I snapped. I have eyes I use them. I listen too.
He just stared.
Not enough he said.
I slammed my palm against the bars the sound echoing sharp in the cell.
Then test me I hissed. Bring the maid. Maid Clar. The one who delivered the tea.
His eyes flicked once. Clar he repeated.
She exists I said. Shell tell you she was told to add sleep drops or calming drops whatever lie they gave her. That the physicians man handed it over. And shell be scared out of her mind.
Cassian didnt budge.
He watched me like he expected my story to fall apart any second.
I hated him for that.
I hated needing him even more.
I made my voice steadier.
Let me talk to her I said. You can stand there with your sword ready I dont care. But if youre executing me anyway at least let me pull the truth out first.
His jaw tightened.
Seconds dragged.
Then he turned from the bars.
Open the cell he called out.
The door clicked.
Footsteps came back with keys.
The lock turned and the door swung open.
My heart jumped like maybe this meant freedom.
But Cassian grabbed my wrist right away.
Not freedom. More like a leash that was a bit longer.
Try anything he murmured and Ill chain you up myself.
I pulled against his grip feeling angry.
Im not running I snapped.
He didnt say anything.
He just marched me out.
Not toward the study or those nicer rooms.
Down another corridor then up some stairs into a small stone room with a table bolted down.
Two chairs.
A lamp flickering.
No windows at all.
It felt like an interrogation spot.
So romantic I guess in a twisted way.
Cassian pushed me into the chair on the other side of the table.
I sat there spine straight fingers clenched tight.
He didnt sit down.
He stood behind me a little off to the side.
Like a shadow ready to slice anyone who moved wrong.
He told the soldiers at the door Bring Maid Clar. Do it quietly no one in the palace needs to know yet.
Yes my lord they said.
They left.
I heard their boots fading away.
Then just silence.
My breathing sounded too loud in my ears.
Cassian spoke finally. If this turns out to be a lie you die tonight.
I know I snapped.
Good he said.
I twisted in the chair to glare up at him.
What do you want from me I hissed. A bow maybe. Some gratitude. Tears.
His eyes didnt even move.
I want the truth he said. And I want to know why you came to my estate already expecting the palace to accuse you.
My stomach dropped hard.
He noticed of course.
I swallowed trying to steady.
I didnt know I lied.
He leaned in closer. Thats garbage.
My nails dug into my palm.
I kept my voice calm even though my skin felt tight.
I suspected I said. Because Adrian hes not stable at all. He panics whenever he loses control.
Cassians gaze sharpened.
Adrian he repeated.
I flinched a bit. I forgot he didnt like names thrown around in his house.
I mean the Crown Prince I muttered.
He didnt correct me this time.
Just kept watching.
Then the door opened and everything moved again.
A young maid stumbled in between two soldiers.
She was small with brown hair and red eyes from crying.
Maid Clar.
She looked around and froze when she saw me.
Her face went pale.
Lady Seraphina she whispered.
I swallowed.
In my last life I never saw her after the accusation. Just heard whispers later that she confessed or died suddenly or something.
I leaned forward.
Clar I said keeping my voice low. Dont scream. Dont lie. If you lie theyll kill you for sure.
She started shaking even harder.
I didnt she choked out. I didnt poison anyone I swear. I just carried the tray thats all.
I know I said quick. I know. Just listen.
Her eyes darted to Cassian.
She looked like she might pass out.
He didnt say a word. Just stood there like a wall.
I tried to make my voice gentle though my heart was pounding.
Who gave you the tea I asked.
She swallowed. The kitchen she started.
Clar I cut in. Who handed it to you exactly.
Her lips trembled.
One of the physicians men she whispered.
My stomach twisted.
I glanced back at Cassian like see I told you.
But his gaze stayed the same still testing me.
Whats his name I pressed.
She shook her head fast. I dont know I dont know he just said it was for His Highness and Id be punished if I was late.
Did he give you anything I asked.
Her eyes flicked down. A bottle she said.
What kind I pushed.
Small she whispered. Green glass. He said sleep drops because His Highness wasnt resting well.
Sleep drops.
Rage heated up my face.
They made it sound so kind with that lie.
Of course they did.
Did you put it in I asked.
She burst into tears. Just one drop. He said one drop. He watched me do it. Watched my hands.
I leaned across the table.
Where did you do it I asked. In the kitchen.
She nodded hard. Yes at the door. He stopped me before the hall.
Was the tray silver I asked quick with a chipped corner.
She jerked a little her eyes going wide.
Yes she whispered. How did you.
Because Im not guessing I cut in.
Cassian shifted behind me.
I felt it like a blade adjusting.
Clar stared at me like I knew magic or something. I didnt. Id just been dead before.
Clar I said voice low again look at me. If you help me you might live. If not theyll bury you before the weeks out. You get that.
She sobbed and nodded.
Name I demanded. What did he look like.
She wiped her nose with shaky fingers.
Young she whispered. Dark hair. Clean hands. A mole here she pointed near her mouth. Wore an infirmary badge.
Infirmary badge I repeated to lock it in my head.
Cassian spoke then. That description could fit a lot of people.
She flinched at his voice.
Then ask who was on morning delivery duty I snapped.
His eyes narrowed at me.
She whispered I heard someone call him Soren. I think thats it. I think.
Relief and fury clenched in my stomach.
Soren I repeated.
Cassian looked at Clar. Who paid you.
She shook her head no. No one. He didnt pay he threatened me. Said my mothers wages would get cut. Said Id be whipped.
His gaze stayed flat.
He told the soldiers Remove her. Put her in my servants quarters. Guard her. Feed her. No outside contact.
Her head snapped up. My lord she started.
Youll be alive tomorrow if you follow orders Cassian cut in.
She sobbed more but nodded.
They took her out.
Door shut.
Silence again.
I sat there shaking adrenaline making my hands feel clumsy.
I turned to Cassian.
Now do you believe me I demanded.
He didnt answer right away.
Walked around the table and sat across from me.
First time hed sat down.
That scared me worse than him standing.
He looked at me like I was some puzzle.
You knew the tray detail he said. And the name. And how they phrased the sleep drops thing. Thats too specific.
My mouth went dry again.
I shrugged. Lucky guess maybe.
His eyes narrowed. No.
Do you want to argue or stop my execution I snapped.
He stared.
Then stood up sudden.
Decision done.
Told the door Send men to the palace infirmary. Quietly. Search the private cabinets. Bring anything with nightshade.
Yes my lord a soldier said outside.
Cassian turned to me.
You tell me everything you remember about the physician he said. Routines. Assistants. Nobles he meets.
I swallowed.
His office has a second key I said fast. He keeps it on a chain in his coat pocket left side.
His eyes flicked interested even if he didnt want to show it.
He works late on reports after dinner I went on. Sends assistants away around second bell.
His gaze stayed sharp.
How do you know all this he asked quiet.
My throat hurt from tightening.
I couldnt lie forever.
But truth wasnt an option either.
Not when he held my life like that.
I leaned forward voice low. Because I watched him those last months as Adrians fiancée. Because I was getting drugged and noticed. Because Im not as stupid as they all thought.
He stared.
Youre still hiding something he said.
So what I snapped. Everyone hides stuff.
His mouth twitched a bit. Not quite a smile.
True he said.
Then footsteps pounded in the hall.
Fast ones.
A door slammed somewhere.
The soldier rushed in breathing hard.
My lord he said. Palace message.
Cassians gaze stayed on my face. Speak.
The soldier swallowed. Chamberlain issued a second directive. Execution at dawn in the palace courtyard. Public.
My stomach dropped.
Public.
Crowd there.
Adrian watching.
My knees on stone again.
Cassian narrowed his eyes. He changed the location.
Yes my lord the soldier said. And His Highness will attend.
Of course.
Adrian loved that kind of thing.
Cassians gaze flicked to me.
Felt like a slap.
Time running out.
I pushed back from the table chair scraping loud.
Then we dont go I said.
We go Cassian said calm.
I stared like he was crazy.
You said its a trap.
It is he agreed.
Then why.
If I dont bring you they come here he cut in. With enough soldiers to tear the estate down. They take you anyway. Only difference is if I hold the blade.
My stomach churned.
Control the blade.
He meant himself.
His sword.
Same hands that ended me last time.
I gripped the table edge fingers hurting.
We need infirmary evidence before dawn I said. The vial. The assistant.
He nodded once. Yes.
And we need noise I added voice getting louder. Not just palace stuff. Court nobles witnesses people talking.
His eyes narrowed. How.
I swallowed.
Plan hit me messy desperate.
Let Adrian think hes winning I said. Let him come. Let the physician come. Theyll be smug close by.
He stared.
We drag truth out in front of everyone I rushed. Force Chamberlain to show. We.
Youre gambling your life Cassian cut in.
Im already dying I snapped. What am I losing a few hours.
His gaze didnt soften.
But sharpened like he saw me different now.
Not just some noble girl.
Something cornered.
If I cant stop it he said low Ill have to execute you.
Stomach dropped again.
I nodded furious tears burning but not falling.
Then Ill die fighting I whispered.
He stared.
Then to the soldier.
Prepare he ordered. Full escort. Bring house mage. Seal check on every Chamberlain scroll.
Yes my lord.
Soldier left.
Cassian to me.
Get up.
I stood quick chair scraping.
He grabbed my wrist again.
I hated it but didnt pull away.
Needed him. Hated needing.
Pulled me out fast through corridor.
Too fast.
Then distant shout echoed.
Not Nocten usual.
Not drill.
Command.
More boots lots.
Cassian stopped.
Hand to sword.
My heartbeat slammed.
Nocten guard ran up face tight.
My lord he said out of breath. Imperial troops at gate. Royal warrant. Demand Lady Seraphina now.
Now.
Not dawn.
Stomach dropped.
Cassians eyes hard.
Who leads he asked.
Guard swallowed. Lord Chamberlain himself.
Mouth dry.
Then another voice from corridor entrance smooth familiar.
Duke Nocten.
Adrian stepped in view.
Blue coat pale mouth those sick eyes.
Smiled polite.
Like not here to end me.
Imperial guards behind Chamberlain in black robes scroll ready.
Adrians gaze to my wrist in Cassians grip.
Then my face.
Smiled wider.
I must say Adrian murmured running to him was entertaining.
Chamberlain lifted scroll.
By emergency authority he announced loud for corridor. Lady Seraphina Vale immediate custody. Execution advanced. Now.
Knees almost gave.
Immediate.
Cassians grip tightened holding me up like puppet.
Adrian looked at Cassian.
Do your duty Duke he said almost gentle.
Then eyes to me bright cruel.
On your knees he ordered. Like a traitor.
Imperial guards stepped forward chains open.