Chapter 13
Nina’s POV
ist went up in flames weeks ago.
You
The South Wing, like seriously? The very same quest room sitting a wall away from the one that almost could still smell the burned wood, scorched paint, something foul that clung to the curtains no matter how many times the staff tried to scrub it out. And where does Zane send his beloved pregnant Luna–to–be? Right here, like I’m a mutt in quarantine. Pregnant with his heir, no less.
You’d think that would buy me some kind of respect. But no, he shoved me into the ashtray of the packhouse like I was nothing more than smoke and soot. And part of me wondered. Did he do it on purpose? Did he hope I’d breathe this shit in long enough to lose the baby? But no. I can’t let that happen. Not to this baby. Not to my leverage…
I stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed over my chest, breathing shallowly through my mouth. What if this stale, toxic stink hurt the baby?%
What if that was the point?
I shook my head, biting the inside of my cheek hard. No. I wouldn’t harm the baby. Not this one. This pup was my ticket out of being a packhouse floor mat. My way out of bowing to wamiors who spat orders and took whatever they wanted.
No one could ever know how this pregnancy really started. Especially not Zane.
I paced, bare feet smacking the cold floor, eyes darting to the comer where the wallpaper still curled from heat damage. That bastard. How dare he leave me in this room? How dare he act like I was disposable?:
Fine. He wants games? til give him the deluxe performance.
Isnatched my phone off the nightstand and dialed the healer. The line clicked.
1 need more potion,” I said without pleasantries. “Stronger this time.”
The voice on the other end was calm. “I can give you as much as you want. But remember the price. It’s not money.”
I rolled my eyes and hissed, “I already gave you the life of my whole family. What more do you want?“)
A chuckle slid through the speaker. “It depends on how eager you are.“)
I clenched my jaw, eyes narrowing. “Fine. You want eagerness? Take Elder Thorn’s life. He’s practically a walking corpse anyway.
The healer’s voice sharpened. “Then bring me a piece of his hair. Otherwise, the effects may redirect. To you. Do you understand?“)
Silence filled the room.
Then exhaled slowly and said, ‘Fine.%
The next day, the vial was cold in my hand Smooth Innocent–looking!
I warted in the office, seated perfectly at the edge of the couch, legs crossed, hair done, belly out. I’d made myself look soft pitiful. Zane liked useful. Zane liked quiet &
The door opened And there he was.
i smelled Quinn on him
It was faint, but it made my stomach turn. I could practically see her clinging to him like a ghost, staining his clothes with her scent. But she wasn’t with him.
“What do you want?” he asked, already annoyed.
I smiled sweetly and held out the glass of whiskey “I want you to feel good. Just drink this, and I’ll go back to my room
eyes narrowed, but only for a second “Now you’re being useful,” he muttered, taking the drink without hesitation!!
I watched him gulp it down
One Two Three breaths later–2
He groaned gnpping the edge of the desk. “What the hell His head jerked. His eyes screwed shut. “Fuck–my head-”
rushed toward fem “Babe? Are you okay? What’s happening?” I laid a hand on his arm like I cared
He looked up and the time, hes eyes were glassy Distant
“I missed you booed, running my fingers gently across has collar, letting my nails graze his skin just enough to make him shiver. I slid onto the tape I belonged there, brushing my lips close to his ear. “By the way, there’s something I want you to do for me
Nodded
mindless pet “What is it babe?)
ace low and velært. “Since you already found out where Quinn is have your hunters finish her Once and for
the most natural thing in the world I
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