Chapter 98 The poison in her glass
ADIRA
The car door clicks shut behind me. The engine’s hum dies, replaced by the sound of my own heartbeat. I stare ahead and the estate looms. It doesn’t look abandoned, or unkempt, instead it looks like people have been living here for years and it’s very well taken care of.
There’s even a greenhouse with high glass walls, and the flower beds inside look insanely beautiful.
But that’s not why I’m here.
My fingers tighten on the vial in my pocket. “…five drops of poison, no more, no less,” My father’s voice echoes in my mind.
My task her was simple: Insert five drops. Quiet. No trace.
I practice the motion. Breathe in. Breathe out. Control.
I step out onto the path. The gravel crunches under my shoes.
And with masked purpose, I approach the front door. Knuckles raised, I silence my doubts.
I sigh, raising my hand to knock on the wooden door.
The door swings open almost instantly. An older woman stands there, framed in the wood, with her eyes calm and measuring.
“May I help you?” she asks, voice soft but cautious.
I hold my composure. “Is Iris here? I came to see her.”
“Who’s Iris? And who told you she lives here?”
“I’m not a stranger, I know her from the haven, and Kelvin told me she’s hiding here away from the king, and I decided to come and check in on her.
Her eyes narrow, forehead creases like she’s starting to realize something. “Kelvin?” She glances over my form. “You claim Kelvin told you this place?”
My heart catches. A misstep. But I recover immediately. I can’t mess this up. “Yes. He said Iris was staying here.”
The old woman hesitates, less suspicion than surprise. Then she steps aside. “Very well. Come in.”
I walk into warm corridors: walls lined with photos, patterned rugs, old wood polished with care. Plants, pots, treasures.
She leads me to a sitting room. A small table, chairs, a single glass of water waiting. She gestures. “Wait here; I’ll go fetch Iris.” She vanishes down a hallway.
My pulse rattles. The room is quiet. I cross to the table. The water glass stands between us. I slip a hand to my pocket, pull out the poison vial. Five drops.
Patience, I tell myself. No mistakes.
I lift the glass, cradle it in my palm. Without glancing back, I drop five drops into the water. Feather-light, precise. The liquid shifts slightly but remains clear.
I drop the glass as soon as I hear footsteps and mutters getting closer from the hallway she disappeared into earlier.
Before her figure appears, I smooth my face, reset my posture, soften my voice. I turn.
Iris steps into view. Her eyes widen. “Adira? Why are you here?”
I stand, offering a warm smile. “Oh, Iris. Don’t be silly. I came to check that you’re doing well of course. What other reason would I be here for?”
“I don’t know, Adira. Maybe kill me?” She answers and there’s no inkling of friendliness on her features.
“Don’t say things like that, dear,” the old, woman who I now think is her grandmother, says.
Her grandmother gestures to chairs. “Sit, dear.”
I do, heart straining. Iris stands across from me, arms crossed, suspicion sharp.
“She’s been... kind to me,” I say softly. “I had no choice but to visit.”
Iris’s lip curls in disgust. “Kindness isn’t your style. You come with motives.”
I nod, feigning sincerity. “Yes, perhaps once. But not tonight.”
Between us, tension coils. The grandmother watches, uncertain.
She stands. “I’ll fetch snacks for you both.”
She departs.
Iris faces me. “Don’t lie. You’re here to hurt me.”
I swallow, pain and resolve fighting in my chest. “No.”
She lets out a short and harsh laugh. “You’re lying already.”
I shift, trying to keep control. “I thought we could talk.”
She snorts. “Talk? At swordpoint, maybe.”
The grandmother returns, carrying a tray of cookies. She sets on the table between Iris and me.
“Have some.” she says with a smile.
I pick up a cookie, and Iris steps forward, slapping it out of my hand. “That’s enough, get out now.” She says angrily now.
“Iris!” I raise my voice, but instantly remind myself that I need to play nice for my plan to work.
“Don’t come here and pretend that you care about me, because we both know that you don’t, and you see me as a fucking threat!” She’s heaving now, foreheads creasing and her fists are clenching at her sides. It’s almost as if she’s a second away from dragging me out by my hair.
“Iris, you need to calm down. You don’t have to be mean to your friend.” Her grandmother says and I really hope I can salvage this whole thing because I still need her to drink from the poisoned glass.
“Friend? Nana, she’s not my friend! She’s the girl who’s betrothed to Darian and is pretty upset that Darian has no interest in her whatsoever.” She says and I sparks something within me.
“So you do agree that you took what is mine?” I bob my head to the side, anger starting to get the better of me.
“He’s not an object that you can just claim! He’s human and he can make his decisions.” She says and I laugh humorlessly.
“Oh shut up, you little slut!” I bark back and she attempts to take a step towards me but is pulled back by her grandmother.
“Calm down, Iris.” Her grandmother looks confused and conflicted. She picks up the poisoned glass and hands it to Iris.
Iris’s hand shakes as she reaches. She lifts the glass.
My heart skips. The moment is here.
She takes a gulp, and then more gulps, causing a smile to involuntarily tug at my lips.
That’s when the door crashes open.
“Don’t drink that!”
Darian bursts in. In one fierce stride he reaches Iris. His face is stern and his eyes find Iris immediately.
He grabs her wrist. The glass shatters and the water spills. Iris recoils, terrified as a gasp leaves her mouth
My heart falters but I hold my ground.
He turns sharply to me. “How dare you?”
I stand still, betrayed mask faltering.
He cradles Iris, checking her. The grandmother gasps, moving between us.
In the moment, I realize I need to get out of here before Darian turns his attention back to me.
I throw my weight into the door, pushing past. Outside, I see Adrian and Kelvin stepping across the lawn.
Panic surges.
I sprint to my car, hearts screaming. I fumble keys; they slide. The car unlocks. I jump in.
My foot slams the pedal. The tires spin. I tear away.
Guilt, fear and adrenaline burn through me.
In my rearview I see Darian’s silhouette in the doorway. Iris in his arms.
The good news though, is that I managed to feed the poison to her.