When I handed the map to Cassian , I expected him to examine it immediately , maybe react , maybe start piecing together whatever secret my father had hidden from the King . But instead of urgency , he walked into my room like he had time to spare , as if this was just another lazy morning . He sat down next to my bed , too calm , too relaxed , his attention divided between the parchment that contained the traces of the dark plate in his hand and the windows . I didn't understand it . Maybe it was because I'd never been good at reading people like him , men who didn't flinch , who wore masks with ease . Or maybe I really was too naive to grasp what was going through his head . I let my gaze drift to his profile . I have been with him several times now , but it still felt surreal . How could a man with features that sharp , that striking , like something carved from ancient stone , be the same one they called a monster ? " Are you satisfied with what you can see , Consort ? " He didn't look at me when he spoke . My breath hitched . I quickly averted my eyes , heat rushing to my cheeks . I had no idea what he truly meant , but the way his voice dipped made it impossible to respond . Then , I lowered my head, eyes on my lap . And didn't dare meet his gaze . " I - I just want to know if I brought the right one . " My voice barely above a whisper . I hated how weak I sounded . I wasn't weak . I might look sick , my body pale and still , but I was very much alive and fully aware of everything . Cassian finally turned his head , a faint smirk pulling at his lips . " We'll know soon enough ." That answer didn't settle me . " What ... what do you mean by that ? " I glanced out the window . The morning sun had already risen . We were supposed to depart for the North within the hour . There was no time left to decipher secrets or test theories . How could he be so sure we'd know soon ? Cassian stood slowly , rolling his shoulders as if this entire moment bored him . Then he turned to me and said , " We're leaving shortly . If you intend to keep up your performance , now's the time ." His next words dropped like ice into my stomach . " Your mother and sister are on their way . " At those words , I immediately lay back down and stared blankly at the ceiling . My chest rose 11:08 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 27 : 80 55 vouchers and fell evenly , and I tried to match the rhythm I remembered from the nights I truly was sick . Then ... Mendez appeared beside me , holding out another tablet . He didn't speak until I hesitated . " It won't harm you ," he said simply . " Just makes it look like it did ." I nodded and took the tablet . The moment it touched my tongue , I braced myself , but just like before , nothing happened . No burning sensation , no rush of cold through my veins . It tasted like stale tea . Bland . Harmless . I waited for my body to react , to warn me , to resist but nothing came . That was the problem . I had always known when something foreign entered my body . My healing ability screamed at the slightest imbalance . Even poison , even blood loss , it all triggered something . But this ... didn't . My body didn't resist it because whatever was in that tablet , it didn't register as a threat . Not to me . That alone made it more dangerous than any poison . This was the second time Mendez had given it to me , and I still had no real idea what it was . It didn't burn going down . It didn't cloud my mind or slow my heartbeat . It mimicked the symptoms of poison perfectly but left no trace behind . Not even my instincts , the ones tied to my healing , could sense anything wrong . Of course I was curious . Deeply . But there hadn't been time to ask questions . I made a mental note to speak to Mendez as soon as we left this place . I wanted answers . About the tablet . About what it really did and why my body couldn't see it coming . I swallowed hard and closed my eyes . And as if on cue , a knock came at the door . I didn't move . I heard the hinges creak open , boots clicking softly on the wooden floor . Then came the voice I knew all too well . " How is she ? " It was Genevieve , Mendez answered calmly , " She's relapsed . The fever's back . The poison's still in her system . I've done what I can , but she's very weak . Barely responsive . " I heard a sharp sob , too loud , too forced . Something thudded to the ground . Maybe she Chapter 27 55 vouchers dropped to her knees or kicked something . I would have wanted to see it but I quickly reminded myself to keep my act together . " Please ... let me say goodbye to my daughter , " Genevieve cried . Cassian's voice followed . " I am leaving first . Mendez , wait outside . Lucas is ready . Escort her to the carriage . I'll follow soon . " I heard more footsteps . The door opened again and closed . Then there was silence . And the shift was immediate . The air changed . Genevieve no longer bothered to cry . She stepped closer , her footsteps soft now . I could feel her presence beside me, feel the way her shadow loomed . " This is your fate , " she whispered , her breath tickling my ear . " You saved Celeste from that monster . For that , I suppose ... thank you ." I kept my eyes shut . " You don't need to know what you are . Or where you came from . It's better that way . This world is cruel enough as it is without burdening yourself with purpose ." I heard her turn , her voice now directed elsewhere . " Celeste . I'll be waiting outside . " Another set of soft steps approached . A hand touched mine , small , familiar , but colder than I remembered . Then Celeste's voice came , and it was nothing like the sweet little sister I thought I knew . " I always hated you ." I almost opened my eyes . Almost . " I thought it was strange ... how you clung to me . How you followed me around like some pathetic stray . But I smiled . I played along . Because that's what I was supposed to do ." The grip on my hand tightened . Growing up , I never noticed any hatred from my sister . Had I been that blind and stupid ? " I deserve to be the one next to the King . You don't even have a wolf . You don't have power . You don't have worth . All you had was a borrowed title and a face too plain to be remembered . " 11:08 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 27 80 55 vouchers your " I'll be at peace , " she continued , her tone lighter now , almost gleeful . " Knowing that death will be painless . It's a small kindness , I suppose . You get to die like a ghost , quiet and forgotten . Just like your family ... " What ? What did she say ? For a moment , I thought I misheard her . Then her hand slipped from mine . " Goodbye , sister , " she said , her voice curling with satisfaction . " From this day forward , you'll be remembered as nothing more than that beast's fifth bride . " If you want a strong female lead , check out my new novel : His Dangerous Bride 11:08 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 28 Chapter 28 ATASHA'S POV Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!