Chapter 98
“Lady Fiona, here are the things the villagers wanted to give you as gilis,” Merra said with a smile. “I told them you asked not to be given any gifts. but they insisted. Most of these are fruits–rare and definitely something you haven’t seen inside the palace before.
Fiona looked at the basket. Indeed, it was filled with fruits. They didn’t have to do that, she said, sitting inside the makeshift tent. The surrounding air was heavy with the earthy scent of freshly cut grass and the faint aroma of brewed herbs:
The tent was simple but functional–wooden nakes secured thick canvas wall and the rond let in slivers of light through gaps in the fabric. Inside, a low wooden table sat at the center, adorned with a steaming teapot aid a few mismatched cups. Around the edges of the tent were baskets of supplies and gifts from the villagers–woven mats, jars of preserved fruit, and bundles of herbs.
She had already asked them not to give her gifts, but it seemed none of them listened. When she came back from meeting the envoys, the tent was already half full with fruits and other things that she could rat. Fiona shook her head.
Merra stood by the table, sorting through one of the baskets, Fiona took a sip of her tex, its warmth spreading through her as she allowed herself a brief moment of rest. Her gaze drifted outside the tent, where Elijah was issuing instructions to his men. His posture was tense, his eyes constantly scanning the perimeter of the village. He was alert, every movement calculated as though he were expecting something—or someone.
Fiona didn’t want to distract him. Instead, she glanced back at the basket Merra was sorting. “These fruits are beautiful,” Fiona said, gesturing toward a bundle of golden berries she had never seen before. “I’ve never seen anything like them”
“They grow deep in the forest,” Merra said, smiling faintly as she continued her work. “The villagers think they bring good luck. They insisted you have them.”
Just then, the tent’s flap rustled, and a young woman stepped inside. She carried another basket, this one overflowing with wildflowers and more golden berries. Her movements were calm, almost practiced, as she set the basket down near the entrance. Her gaze swept the tent briefly before settling on Merra
“Where should I put this?” the woman asked casually.
“On the table, please,” Merra replied, gesturing toward the far end. “We’ll sort it out in a while.”
The woman stepped closer, placing the basket as instructed. Fiona observed her quietly, something about her presence catching her attention. Her movements were fluid–100 precise for someone simply delivering a basket. Her eyes, though warm at first glance, held a sharpness that made Fiona feel as though she were being studied.
Still. Fiona kept her expression composed, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her teacup. She didn’t want to alarm Merra or Elijah, so she said nothing, sumply watching as the woman lingered a moment longer than necessary, Fiona’s gaze flicked briefly to Elijah outside, still engrossed in his duties, and then back to the woman
The air in the tent shifted suddenly.
A sharp hiss startled Fiona Her attention supped to Merra, who was frozen, her hands halfway to the basket she’d been sorting. Behind her, the young woman had an arm around Merra’s neck, a thin, glinting blade pressed against her throat.
Fiona’s teacup clinked softly against the saucer as she set it down with deliberate care. She kept her movements calm, her eyes locking onto the
“Stay still,” the woman said sharply, her gaze darting to Fiona. Her grip on Merra was firm, the blade steady against her skin.
Fiona didn’t flinch. She scanned the tent, noting the positioning of the tables and baskets. There was little cover, but the opening of the tent was just a few feet away. If she could get Elijah’s attention without provoking the woman..
“You don’t need to do this” Fiona said evenly, her hands resting on the table. “Let her go, and we can talk.”
Merra’s eyes filled with panic, but she didn’t struggle. Fiona’s calmness seemed to steady her, though the tension in the room was palpable. The woman tightened her grip, her gaze flicking toward the tent’s entrance as if assessing the chances of being discovered.
stay still,” the woman repeated, her eyes narrowing at Fiona, “And don’t even think about calling for him” She jerked her head toward the entrance, clearly aware of Elijah’s preseiice just outside.
Fiona’s gaze didn’t waver. “If you harm her, you won’t leave this village alive. You know that.”
The woman smirked faintly, her confidence unshaken. “Then let’s make sure it doesn’t come to that.”
e dirt. She needed to act, but any sudden
Outside, Fiona heard the faint sound of Elijah’s men shifting positions, their footsteps crunching against the movement might.cost Merra her life. Her eyes flicked toward the table, where one of the herbal bundles was tied with a thin conl. Slowly, she slid her hand toward it, her movements subtle.
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Chapter 98
The woman noticed but didn’t react immediately. “You think you’re clever,” she said, pressing the blade slightly closer to Merra’s neck. “But here for games.”
“What are you here for?” Fiona asked, her voice calm despite the tension crackling in the air.
The woman didn’t answer immediately. Instead, her gaze bore into Fiona, as though weighing her next move.
When the woman maintained her silence, Fiona spoke again. “Let her go. You can take me instead”
“What!!” Merra tried to speak, but the woman suddenly pressed the blade tighter against her neck, drawing a trickle of blood.
Fiona calmly smiled. “You wanted me, so why don’t you take me!” she offered.
Slowly
THIE
The woman narrowed her eyes at Fiona as if she’d anticipated this. “Get up, raise your arms, and slowly walk toward me.
Fiona stood slowly, raising her hands as instructed, her movements calm. Her eyes never left the woman holding the blade. Merra’s safety was her priority.
The woman’s grip on the blade didn’t falter as she motioned Fiona closer. Once Fiona was standing before her, the woman shoved Merra to the side. Merra crumpled against the table, her body limp. Fiona’s breath hitched, her gaze darting to Merra’s still form.
“What did you do to her?” Fiona demanded her tone sharp.
“She’s not dead.” the woman replied, a cold smile on her lips. “I poisoned her. A small dose enough to knock her out. If you want the antidote. you’ll do exactly as I say.”
Fiona’s heart pounded. She hadn’t noticed any sign of the poison being administered. The woman was skilled, and calculating. Fiona kept her expression neutral, but her mind worked to memorize every detail–the placement of the blade, the woman’s posture, and her tone. She didn’t notice the woman hurt Merra aside from when the blade drew a blood on Merra’s neck
“What do you want?” Fiona asked. She couldn’t afford to escalate the situation.
“For now, I need you to make this look normal, the woman said, gesturing toward Merra. “Sit her up in the chair. Make it seem like sh
Fiona hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. She moved to Merra’s side, carefully lifting her and arranging her in the chair head lolled to one side, her breathing shallow but steady. Fiona adjusted her until she looked as natural as possible, her arms folded on the tube. her bead resting against them.
The woman inspected Fiona’s work, then nodded. “Good. Now we’re going to step outside. You’ll tell your prince you need to use the toilet. Til come with you. No sudden moves, or she dies.”
Fiona clenched her jaw but didn’t argue. She cast one last glance at Merra before stepping away from the table.
The woman motioned for Fiona to lead the way. Fiona walked to the tent’s flap and pushed it open, stepping into the sunlight. The brightness momentarily blinded her, but she quickly adjusted, her eyes scanning the area for Elijah. He stood a few feet away, speaking to one of his men, his posture rigid.
The woman stayed close behind Fiona, her presence an orginous shadow. “Act normal,” she muttered. “Remember her life depends on it
Fiona forced her expression to remain composed as she approached Elijah. “Elijah,” she called, stopping a few steps away
Elijah turned, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. His brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at the woman behind her. Something in his eyes sharpened, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face.
“I need to step away for a moment,” Fiona said. “The.. facilities.
Elijah’s gaze darted between Fiona and the woman. “Do you need me to send someone with you?” he asked.
Fiona shook her head. “No, she’ll accompany me. It’s close by.”
Elijah hesitated, his sharp instincts clearly warning him something wasn’t right. His eyes lingered on the woman behind Fiona, but he eventually nodded. “Don’t take too long. We’ve tightened the perimeter, but it’s still not safe.”
Fiona nodded, glancing at the woman from the corner of her eye. The woman’s neutral expression gave nothing away, though her hand remained subtly hidden behind Fiona, likely near a weapon.
Together, they turned and began walking toward the edge of the village.
