Chapter 1
By the time Kane returned, Mia had just brought the medicine into the bedroom. Steam curled from the dark brown brew, blurring the hard lines of his face.
He took off his coat, accepted the bowl from her, and sat beside the bed. "Were you waiting for me to feed you?"
He scooped up a spoonful, patiently blew it cool, and held it to my lips.
He was as gentle as ever.
For a moment, I could only stare at him. After 6 years, my chance to go home had finally come.
When I did not move, Kane touched my forehead. "There's black wolfsbane in the medicine. Feeling sick for a few days is normal. Drink it, and you'll be better soon."
I took the bowl and drained it. The brew was bitter and harsh, burning my throat until I doubled over coughing.
Kane hurriedly patted my back and gave me an exasperated smile.
"Slow down. No one's going to steal it from you. You usually make me coax you into taking your medicine. Why are you being so good today?"
I placed the empty bowl back in his hands.
"You don't have to coax me anymore. You never will again."
The smile on his face faded. "Are you still angry with Vera?"
He reached for me, but I quietly leaned away.
"She only wanted to test a new poison. She didn't realize the dose would be so strong. Besides, she knew I was here. If anything had happened, I would've saved you."
I looked up at him. "What if I really had died?"
Kane froze, then chuckled.
"How could you die with me here? Evelyn, I'm the best doctor in the North. If I say I can cure you, you'll be fine."
Of course.
Over the years, Vera had used me as her test subject more than once. She had covered my body in rashes, stolen my voice, and even robbed me of my sense of smell.
Every time, Kane had cured me.
The first time it happened, he had been furious. He threw Vera out in front of the entire pack and swore he would never let her hurt me again.
2 days later, Vera poisoned herself with silverthorn.
Kane stayed at her bedside all night. When he came home, exhausted, he wrapped his arms around me.
"She can't accept that I've truly given her up. She once saved my life, and I owe her. Evelyn, please let it go this once. For me."
I agreed.
That one time became countless times.
Vera made the poison. Kane made the antidote.
My suffering was nothing more than a game they played to prove they still understood each other better than anyone else.
The system spoke in my mind once more.
[System: There is still time to let Kane examine you. He will find the mistake in the prescription, and he will save you.]
[System: He still loves you. When he learns he almost killed you, he will regret it and make it up to you.]
I lowered my gaze with a faint smile. 'What would I do with his regret?'
6 years ago, Kane had found me in a blizzard moments after I was transported into this book. He gave me a home.
He had treated me so well that I believed I could never die by his hand. I abandoned my mission and chose to stay.
But I did not want this home anymore.
I wanted to leave.
Kane handed the empty bowl to Mia and told her firmly, "One dose every day for 12 days. She can't miss a single one."
Mia signed and dated the treatment log, then slipped the prescription missing the silverleaf into my medical file.
Kane bent down and kissed my forehead. "Get some rest. In 12 days, you'll be completely recovered."
I closed my eyes.
The system's voice softened.
[System: Are you sure you won't reconsider?]
'I'm sure.'
This time, I wanted to go home.
Only 11 more bowls. Only 20 more days.
It was just death.
