Chapter 26 Questions, Questions
Lyanna
“Come here.”
I kept my gaze down, shoulders angled inward, every instinct screaming to disappear. I half-stepped behind Sera.
If I make myself small enough, maybe I’ll slip the eye. Maybe I’ll be missed.
It didn’t matter.
A shadow fell across the stones in front of me.
My heart lurched. Too fast. Too loud. Like it was trying to escape before the rest of me could.
“Look at me.”
The command wasn’t loud.
I lifted my eyes slowly.
Lady Vespera stood in dark silks edged with silver, her expression one of mild interest—as if she were weighing whether she wanted what she’d found.
Her gaze swept over me in one unhurried pass.
From my worn shoes to the set of my shoulders, to the faint curve beneath my tunic I’d tried—and failed—to hide.
I felt exposed in pieces. Catalogued.
Something flickered in her eyes.
Recognition.
“Yes,” she murmured. “It is you.”
My blood turned to ice.
No. No, no, no.
Vespera lifted a hand.
“Take her.”
The guards moved instantly.
I twisted, pulling back, hands flashing up in frantic signs—No. Please. Don’t—
My chest burned as if the air had turned sharp.
The guard’s grip tightened, surprise flickering at my strength. I hadn’t meant to fight. My body did it anyway.
I fought silently, breath sharp, panic flaring—white and blinding.
“Stop!” Sera cried, lunging forward. “She can’t—!”
A third guard intercepted her without slowing, shoving her back hard enough that she stumbled. She caught herself on the stone, the breath knocked from her lungs.
I wrenched around, eyes wide.
Sera looked back at me—furious, pale, helpless.
I signed wildly, uselessly, my hands already being forced down as the second guard seized my other arm.
I’m sorry.
The words felt too small. Too thin.
A shape moved in front of Vespera.
Marek.
He stepped between me and the guards with the confidence of a man who knew exactly what lines he was crossing and did it anyway. His single arm was braced, stance wide, voice level.
“This is House Veras,” he said. “You’ll need Lord Elias’s permission before removing anyone under his protection.”
My breath caught.
Protection.
Vespera’s mouth curved—slow, sharp.
“Protection?” she echoed lightly. “How generous of him.”
Her gaze flicked to Marek’s empty sleeve.
“And how forgetful of you.”
Her voice cooled.
“This is Drakovia. My authority does not pause at a lord’s threshold.”
She lifted her hand again—this time in dismissal.
“Remove him.”
It happened fast.
Marek barely had time to brace.
One guard wrenched his arm behind his back. Another swept his legs. He hit the stone hard, breath exploding from his chest as a boot pressed between his shoulders, pinning him there.
I froze.
My pulse roared in my ears.
This is my fault. This is what being seen costs.
Marek turned his head just enough to look at me. His jaw tightened.
Don’t fight, his eyes told me. Don’t make it worse.
Vespera did not look at him again.
“Take the omega,” she said calmly. “Now.”
I was dragged forward.
My feet slipped on the stone as panic surged, white-hot and suffocating. I twisted again, harder, pain flaring where the guard’s grip tightened. The world narrowed to hands and breath and the terrible knowledge that I was losing.
My gaze met Sera’s. She shook her head violently.
I signed one last time, desperately, even as I was pulled away.
Live.
The courtyard gates closed behind me with a sound like a verdict.
~~
The carriage smelled of leather and oil.
I was thrown inside hard enough that I hit the floor, my breath knocked loose. The door slammed shut, plunging the interior into dim, rattling motion as the carriage lurched forward.
I curled instinctively, one arm wrapping around my belly.
I’m here. I’m still here.
Think. Think.
My mind raced even as the wheels clattered over stone.
Jumping was impossible. The speed alone would break me—and the child—
No. Don’t finish that thought.
I forced my breathing steady, counting the turns by the sway of the carriage. Left. Long stretch. Slight incline. The city had a rhythm. I clung to it.
When the carriage slowed, my muscles went taut.
The door opened.
Light spilled in.
Lady Vespera stepped inside gracefully and settled onto the bench opposite me, smoothing her skirts as if this were a leisurely ride.
She said nothing.
Just watched.
I forced myself to meet her gaze.
Don’t look away. Don’t give her fear for free.
I watched her eyes track every detail—the tension in my shoulders, my protective hand, my stillness.
Interest flickered in her gaze.
It didn’t bode well.
The silence stretched. It pressed on my chest until breathing felt like effort.
Finally, Vespera spoke.
“You were the one that ran,” she said conversationally. “From the gardens. Weeks ago.”
My heart skipped.
So that’s what this is.
Vespera tilted her head. “Why?”
I didn’t respond. I let the quiet sit there, heavy.
Vespera smiled faintly. “You don’t strike me as reckless. Nor stupid. Which suggests motive.”
She leaned forward slightly.
“What were you doing there, little omega?”
I swallowed.
They don’t know, I realized suddenly.
They know I ran.
They don’t know why.
Relief and terror tangled together in my chest, sharp as wire.
The carriage jerked to a stop.
“Ah,” Vespera said. “We’re here.”
~~~~~~
The room was stone, windowless, lit by a single hanging lamp.
I was dragged inside and forced into a chair, rough rope biting into my wrists and ankles as they bound me with efficient cruelty.
I lifted my head just as the door opened again.
A man stepped inside.
Large. Broad-shouldered. Scarred.
Alpha.
“I thought you went to check the situation in House Veras? Why are you here already?”
My brows furrowed despite myself. What situation? Had something happened overnight?
“I had,” Vespera murmured, “but then something else caught my attention.”
Finally the alpha’s gaze slid over me with open appraisal, lips curling.
“Well,” he said. “Is she a toy, then?”
My stomach dropped.
Vespera rolled her eyes. “Must everything reduce to breeding and bloodshed with you, Othran?”
Othran grinned. “Usually.”
His gaze lingered on me. “She’d do. Quiet. Won’t nag.”
His hand twitched towards me.
Vespera snapped, “Don’t.”
He stopped.
My hands trembled against the ropes. I pressed my fingers together, grounding myself in the pain.
Vespera circled me slowly, measured steps echoing softly against the stone. Cool fingers lifted my chin, tilting my face up until our eyes locked.
Good bone structure,” she mused. “Strong hips. Intelligent eyes.”
I held myself rigid, spine locked, pulse hammering so hard I feared it might show beneath my skin.
Her gaze drifted lower.
“To be carrying already…” she added thoughtfully. “Lord Veras does favor his indulgences.”
My heart slammed. No.
I watched as vespera's eyes sharpened.
“The silent one—the omega he defended. The one he mentioned when pressed for preference.” Her lips curved, knowing. “How generous of him.”
My breath thinned, shallow and careful.
You don’t know. You’re guessing. Let her keep guessing.
Vespera resumed her circle, skirts whispering as she moved. “You were in the pens,” she continued lightly. “I remember you now. Trouble with the nobles. Drawing attention where none was wanted.”
She stopped behind me.
“Were you listening too closely?”
I didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t give her anything.
Othran snorted, folding his arms. “She’s useless. Can’t even speak.”
Vespera straightened abruptly. “Untie her hands.”
Othran frowned. “Why?”
Vespera didn’t look at him. “I want to see how she speaks.”
The ropes loosened.
I flexed my fingers slowly, deliberately, blood rushing back in painful sparks. I kept my hands close to my body, controlled, waiting.
Don’t rush. Don’t show relief.
Vespera gestured once. “Go on.”
I hesitated. What could I possibly say to these lunatics?
I lifted my shaking hands slowly and signed.
Please.
Vespera watched closely.
“Please,” she echoed. “For what?”
I didn’t react. I kept my eyes lowered, shoulders folding in on themselves. Small. Unthreatening.
Vespera’s mouth twitched. “Ah. Selective.”
She raised her hand and signed.
Why did you run?
The room seemed to shrink.
My chest tightened. I glanced at the guards. At Othran. Like I was afraid of answering wrong.
Then I signed again, faster this time.
Scared.
Vespera tilted her head. “Scared of what?”
I signed it.
Vespera circled me slowly, heels clicking against stone.
“Did you run because you were frightened? Or because you heard something you shouldn’t have?” she asked.
I shook my head immediately. Too quickly. Mistake.
I corrected—slower this time—and signed again.
Can’t hear.
A pause. Then, hesitant, like it hurt to admit:
Didn’t mean trouble.
Silence.
Othran shifted. “She’s deaf too, isn’t she?”
His presence loomed closer. I felt it—heat, weight, impatience pressing in.
“Mm,” Vespera hummed. “Convenient.”
She didn’t look at him. She stopped directly in front of me again.
“You were in the pens,” she said, signing as she spoke now. “I remember you. Elias’s little disruption.”
Her eyes sharpened.
Were you listening too closely?
I froze. My hands lifted halfway—stopped. I shook my head hard. No. Then, reluctantly:
I belong to him.
The words felt like acid in my mouth even without sound.
Forgive me.
Vespera inhaled slowly.
“How very loyal.”
She studied my face, the way my chin trembled, the way one hand drifted unconsciously toward my stomach and stayed there.
Her gaze followed.
Something clicked.
“Is that his favor you’re carrying?” she asked lightly.
My heart slammed. I didn’t answer. Didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.
Othran laughed once, sharp and humorless. “So that’s it. A pet.” He stepped forward. “Breeds well enough, I’d wager. Quiet, too. No screaming.”
His hand came out of nowhere.
The blow cracked across my face, white-hot and stunning.
The chair tipped.
I hit the stone hard, pain exploding behind my eyes as the world tilted violently.
My hands curled around my middle. The baby—
Vespera’s voice cut through the ringing.
“Enough.”
Othran stepped back, irritated.
“She’s wasting our time.”
Vespera approached me again, crouching just enough to bring us eye to eye.
Her voice dropped.
“There’s intelligence here,” she said. “Buried. Hidden. Very careful.”
She reached out and pulled at my head.
The veil slipped away.
Silver hair spilled free.
Silver eyes lifted, bright with fear and fury.
The room went still.
Vespera inhaled sharply.
“Well,” she whispered. “This changes everything.”
Othran swore.
“That’s the one,” he said. “The envoy—”
“Yes,” Vespera breathed, delighted. “The missing noble omega.”
She turned back to me, eyes gleaming.
“You’re far from home, little pact-maker.”
My chest heaved.
Elias was right.
The door slammed open. The room shook with it.
Elias Veras stood in the doorway, eyes burning, fury barely leashed.
His gaze went straight to me.
And this time—
He did not hesitate.