: 81 E55 vouchers I opened my eyes to a room full of familiar faces . Their smiles were soft and rehearsed enough to almost pass for relief . But I knew better . None of them were glad to see me breathing . And as I scanned their faces , I couldn't help but wonder , were they already planning their next attempt ... or just trying to figure out how to make sure it worked this time ? Maybe even both . I shuddered inwardly . " Atasha ... how could you scare your mother like that ? " Genevieve murmured , clutching my hand like it meant something . I let out a weak , gentle cough . Hearing this , Mendez stepped forward . " As you can see , the Lady is fine , but she's not- " " Do not interrupt when I'm speaking to my daughter ! " Genevieve snapped . To anyone else , she probably looked like a mother fraying at the edges with worry . But now I could see the truth . Just like Celeste , Genevieve wasn't worried . She was performing . And she was very , very good at it . Currently , she was trying to let everyone see how caring she really was . " I almost died with worry . These people refused to let us in . Even your sister had to kneel outside of the tent under the rain just for Lord Cassian to allow us to come , " Genevieve said , tears pooling in her eyes like a mother on the edge of heartbreak . Right . Of course . She was worried , worried her plan didn't work . Now I could see it as clear as day . The disappointment in her eyes wasn't for what almost happened to me ... it was for what didn't . They must've chosen the perfect assassin . And still , it failed . It was almost laughable how obvious their regret was now . Almost . Genevieve shifted her weight and turned to Mendez . " You may leave now . We'd like a moment alone with Atasha . " " Apologies , " Mendez didn't budge . " I'm under the Prince's direct command , " he said evenly . " The consort is still recovering . I will remain by her side . " Genevieve's jaw clenched . " Atasha , dear , tell this man it's fine . You need rest , not strangers hovering . " 11:06 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 19 81 55 vouchers I knew this was coming . Of course she'd try to clear the room . I forced a tired smile and nodded once toward Mendez . " It's alright . I just need a private moment with my mother and sister . " He frowned . " With all due respect , my Lady ... that goes against Lord Cassian's instructions . " I held his gaze , letting my voice tremble just enough . " Please . I won't be long . I just ... I want to speak with them before anything else happens ." Before they were ever allowed inside this tent , Cassian had already warned Mendez what would happen . They'll want to be alone with you , he'd said . Let them believe they're in control . " Let them believe you're weak . Mendez will act offended , just enough to make it believable , then leave . The rest is up to you . But I want you to make them think they've won a small battle . Let them . " It was all part of the performance . And I was the centerpiece . I let out another cough , but this time it wasn't for show . It clawed up from my throat and dragged a fresh ache across my chest . My whole body felt like it was sinking into the bed , pulled down by something heavier than pain . Exhaustion . It wrapped around me like a wet cloak , suffocating and inescapable . I'd only healed seven people . Seven . And I was already this weak . What would happen if I had to heal dozens ? Hundreds ? What if Cassian brought me to the front lines and told me to raise the half - dead like a saint in silk ? My fingers curled slightly , hidden beneath the blanket . No. I wasn't a saint . And this gift , this curse , wasn't limitless . Each time I used it , it took a piece of me . And I was starting to feel the cost . But I couldn't show that . Not while my mother sat beside me with tear - bright eyes and venom on her breath . So I leaned back , closed my eyes for just a second , and breathed through the pain . The show wasn't over yet . And I still had a part to play . Just as I expected , Mendez hesitated . However , he must have known that I was no longer faking it . He had seen my state before my mother and Celeste arrived and knew that I had 11:06 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 19 : 81 55 vouchers exhausted my abilities . He let out a sigh before he used his hand to touch my forehead . " You are starting to have a fever , " he said . Then , after a moment's pause , he gave a reluctant nod . " Ten minutes ," he said . " Then I'm coming back in ." He threw Genevieve a sharp glance as he stepped outside , the tent flap falling shut behind him . And just like that ... It was just the three of us now . Genevieve was on me in seconds , her hands cupping my face , the scent of lavender clinging to her sleeves . " How did it happen ? " she asked , her voice dipped in maternal concern . " Tell me everything ... who would dare hurt you like this ? " I blinked slowly , feigning fragility . " A maid brought in some tea , " I whispered . " She said it was from the Lord ... I drank it and ... I don't remember anything after that ." Genevieve's brows furrowed . " So it was Poison ? " she echoed . " Are you sure ? " I nodded . " That's what Mr. Mendez said when I woke up . He said I had been poisoned ." Her eyes widened a little too quickly , as if surprised by the confirmation rather than the event itself . " Do you remember anything else ? " she pressed . I shook my head , dropping my gaze . " I must have fainted ..." Inside , I repeated the words Cassian had whispered before he left the tent with my father . Act weak . Act docile . And when the time comes ... show them who the monster really is . Tears welled up in my eyes , just enough to shimmer beneath my lashes . " Mother ... I'm scared , " I whispered , my voice so faint it nearly broke . For the first time in my life , I gave them something that wasn't real . For years , they had fooled me with their well- rehearsed concern , now it was my turn to return the favor . " I- I don't understand why someone would want to hurt me ," I said , letting just enough tremor slip into my voice to make it sound convincing . " You told me this marriage was only a formality ... that it would give me freedom . That once it was over , I could live quietly , far away from court and expectation . " I lowered my gaze , allowing the silence to stretch before adding , softer still , " But now ... I don't even know if I'll survive the journey to the north ." Tears began to slip down my checks . My eyes widened , glassy with panic , as I looked up at her . " Mother ... I don't want to stay married to the Lord . Please , " I begged . " I don't want to be Lord Cassian's Bride ! " 11:06 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!