The Poison Bride

Chapter 3 Just Bear With It

Elder Galton struck his staff against the stone. The room went quiet. His gaze moved over my family and stopped on Kaelen's hand on Selene's knee.

“Where is she?” Galton demanded. “Where is Elara?”

Lyra jerked upright. “Elder, she is reflecting on her behavior.” Her fingers caught in her skirt. “In the dungeons.”

My mother smoothed her skirt before meeting Galton's eyes. Concern settled over her face, the same look she had worn outside my cell the night before.

She had sounded patient then, too. The key had stayed in the lock.

Last night, when the poison had burned hottest, I crawled to the iron door and hit it with what strength I had left. Hay stuck to the sweat on my arms.

By the time footsteps stopped outside, I could no longer make a fist.

“Please.” I could barely force the sound out. “My heart feels like it’s stopping! Let me out!”

Lyra answered through the iron. “Stop that noise, Elara! You’re upsetting your sister. Bear with it for one more day. Be selfless for once. The family will make it up to you when this is over.”

*Make it up to me.* By then, my fingernails had split against the door. Narrow red marks striped the iron where no one would look.

Then Kaelen spoke from behind her.

“Enough of this performance. Stop acting.”

Galton stepped toward Lyra. “Reflecting? You used her as a blood filter while you sat here celebrating.”

Kaelen stood. Anyone else would have lowered their eyes when the Alpha moved; Galton did not.

Kaelen lifted his chin. “With all due respect, Elder, this is a family matter. Elara is being petulant. I will handle her.”

Kaelen picked up the stone bowl, sloshing green antidote over its rim. He did not ask Galton why the Elder had come before dawn.

He would carry the cure downstairs and hold it out until I gave him the answer he wanted. Obedience first. Relief second.

By breakfast, he expected me back at work and quiet again.

“I’m going to get her now,” he announced to the room, his jaw set. “This foolishness ends tonight.”

He strode toward the dungeons, boots striking hard against the stone, with the cure cupped in one hand. Galton called his name once. Kaelen kept walking.

I followed him down. My body had been alone long enough.

(Kaelen's POV)