Chapter 13

Clara

I woke to the sensation of someone carrying me. It was so strange that I managed to pry one eye open despite the pain that wanted to drag me back into the dark. I looked up and saw Prince Gideon was the one that held me.

My back burned and ached. I was nauseous from the pain. Yet somehow, the places where Gideon’s arms held me didn’t hurt. I only felt warmth and safety in his grip.

Oh, I must have been dreaming. The prince hated me after what happened between us. There was no way he would carry me in his arms.

I let myself fade back into the darkness. It was a nice dream but I preferred to face reality.

When I woke fully, I was in the healer’s medical ward. It was white and clean and smelled of antiseptic and healing herbs.

There was a hand holding mine. I looked to the side and saw Nora, her eyes red from crying. I patted her hand to show that I was awake.

“Oh, Clara,” she sobbed. “I heard what they did to you!”

I would have shrugged if it didn’t hurt so much to move. I could tell that someone had applied wound salve to the welts on my back. So long as I was still, the pain stayed a dull ache.

“Ten lashes!” she cried. “They could have killed you.”

Ten? I only recalled five. Had they continued to whip me after I passed out? What was the point if I couldn’t feel it?

“Prince Gideon showed mercy, though,” she said, “and he stopped when you fainted.”

I signed, slowly, that I was grateful. And I was. Five lashes had been agony. I’m not certain I would have survived ten. I would certainly be in more pain than I was if the punishment had continued.

“I’m so sorry that happened to you,” Nora said. “But it’s over now. Don’t worry, I convinced Gideon not to banish you or punish you any further.”

Once again I signed my gratitude. It hurt, but I needed her to know. She was a good friend. I was glad to have her.

Nora sighed, and more tears leaked over her cheeks.

“I don’t know what happened,” Nora said. “Gideon said he was drugged. And I’m sure you never meant to do it. Were you drugged, too? Did someone make you do it?”

I didn’t know how to answer her. The night was a blur of heat and my wolf’s silent howls.

“It just hurt so much to see you in bed with him,” she sobbed. “He’s my mate, and he took you to bed instead of me!”

I lowered my head. I had not wanted to hurt her. I hadn’t wanted any of it! But I hadn’t stopped it, either. I hadn’t even tried to fight the prince off.

I signed apologies and promises. I couldn’t explain what had happened, but I swore that it would never happen again. I tried to tell her that it wasn’t Prince Gideon at all, that it had been his wolf. She sniffled and sobbed more at that.

I understood why that wasn’t a comfort. His wolf should have wanted her, as his fated mate. It should never have accepted another woman. I was sure it wouldn’t have if he hadn’t been drugged.

“I swear,” I signed, “I would never do anything to hurt you. I never will, not on purpose.”

“I know,” Nora cried. “I know you wouldn’t. I just keep seeing you, and him. Together in his bed.”

She fled the healer’s ward, sobbing loudly. I wanted to follow her, to apologize more. She was my best friend. Truthfully she was my only friend.

Guilt ate at me. I should have tried harder to resist Gideon’s wolf. I should not have given my wolf control. Last night should have never happened.

I shuddered in the bed. What happened last night could never, ever happen again.

From that moment on, I swore to myself that the Prince would be like a stranger to me. I would never approach him again. I would make sure not to enter his room unless Nora was already there. I would be Nora’s attendant, and take my orders only from her.

I remembered then that Gideon had left a vest in my room. He’d asked if I could repair some torn embroidery on it, claiming it was a favorite. I had agreed, wanting to impress him with my diligent work. I wanted to show that I could be a good servant.

Now I shuddered to imagine him coming by my room to collect it. Of course he would not. He was disgusted by me. But I did not want anything of his in my room. Anyone who noticed it could cause trouble.

I would just return the vest. I had finished the repair work so it was fine. I’d take it and the sheet I had borrowed back to his room and leave them. After that, I would only see Prince Gideon when he and Nora ate dinner.

I had to wait until Healer Eric was content with the progress of my healing. He warned me to be careful for several more days. Putting any strain on my back could rip open the welts.

I listened carefully to the healer’s instructions. I was already considered weaker than the other servants because I was mute. I didn’t want to make my situation any worse.

When I was free to return to my room, I gathered the vest and the sheet together into a neat bundle. The sooner I returned them, the better.

I shivered as I caught Prince Gideon’s scent on the sheet. My wolf wanted to roll in the cloth and exult in the memory of his warmth. I wanted to be violently sick.

I left the servants’ floor and turned a corner on the way up to the royal quarters. Prince Gideon would be outside training with the guard. There was no chance I would run into him. I could leave the bundle safely.

I heard a footstep behind me and froze as another familiar scent met my nose. My wolf whined in confusion as the Second Lycan Prince stalked across the hall towards me.

“I heard that you were whipped after all,” he said.

His voice dripped with false concern. I ducked my head and waited for him to move on.

“How many lashes was it, hm? Five, ten?” The Second Prince laughed. “Whatever the number was, it clearly wasn’t enough. You’re still having ideas above your station.”

What was he talking about? My wolf twisted inside me. She wanted the presence of her mate. I shushed her. The Second Prince was my mate and I wanted nothing to do with him.

“Still, I have to admit,” Prince Marcus continued, “I didn’t think you’d be so bold as to try to seduce my brother.”

I shook my head. I hadn’t! I had not meant for anything to happen that night.

“You look so innocent,” he said, “but I guess we both know the truth, hm?”

I backed away from him. I didn’t understand what he wanted.

“You failed to ensnare me as your mate,” he said, “so you turned your wiles on my brother instead. I suppose I must commend you for your ambition if nothing else.”

My back hit the wall as I ran out of room to retreat. I winced at the pain. The welts from the lash were still tender.

Prince Marcus was on me all at once. He pressed me into the wall, pinning me in place exactly the same way Prince Gideon had the night before.