Chapter 13
Dominic felt the sting of his own words turned against him, his cheeks burning with shame.
681
Unable to linger, he let out a cold huff and stormed toward the door, flinging a final barb over his shoulder. “I will never ever come back to you.”
Avery lingered, his brow furrowed. “Why provoke him? You’ll need the Hadley family’s favor to secure your future.”
“My future is my own, brother,” Margaery said, her tone icy. “Tend to Tessa. You said she’s in agony.”
Avery’s jaw tightened, torn between duty and frustration. After a pause, he muttered, “Fine. Rest well.” He turned to leave.
Margaery’s voice stopped him. “One thing. Return my recipe. I need it to make amends.”
Avery froze in the courtyard, spinning back, his face dark with anger.
But Margaery pressed on, her voice steady. “This confinement taught me Father’s wisdom. I’ll walk an honest path–no more deceit.”
She bowed low. “Will you not aid me?”
Avery stared, fists clenched, his temper simmering, Margaery held her bow, unwavering, as if challenging him to answer,
“Those recipes are with the Royal Medical Hall,” he snapped. “They’re gone.” He turned to go.
“Then don’t fault me when I seek them myself,” Margaery called, her voice clear and resolute. “The Royal Medical Hall. serves the crown, and the crown is just. They’d not keep a commoner’s work without due credit.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” Avery whirled back, eyes wide, his voice trembling with disbelief.
Margaery met his gaze, unflinching, each word deliberate. “No one should gild their name with stolen goods. I’m heeding Father’s counsel–righting my wrongs, returning what’s not mine, and offering amends.
“Shouldn’t you commend me for it?”
Avery’s fists tightened, a flush of shame creeping up his neck.
Words failed him, and at last, he growled, “Margaery, if I ever defend you again, I’ll carve my name backward in the dust!”
With that, he stormed off, his boots crunching heavily in the snow, expecting her to chase after him as she always had, to soothe his pride with apologies.
Instead, Margaery stepped forward, closed the door with a soft thud, and slid the bolt firmly into place.
Avery froze, staring at the sealed door in stunned silence. ‘She didn’t follow?”
Always before, when he turned his back, Margaery would hurry after, pleading until his anger softened.
But now, she’d shut him out without a backward glance.
1/4
23:41 Wed, 20 Aug
Chapter 13
Fury surged in his chest.
Rage flared in his chest. Inside, Margaery doused the lamp and went to bed, the windows falling dark.
“Tell me she’s not bewitched,” Avery muttered to Dominic, his face pale.
Dominic, still stinging, shook his head. “She’s a mystery. But what now? Without those recipes, Tessa’s
We can’t… steal, can we?”
pain won’t ease.
They stood in the snow, weighing their choice. Finally, Avery relented. “We know the apothecary’s place. Shall we try?”
Dorginic nodded. “So be it.”
They set off for the city’s western alley, their steps hushed in the cold night.
Margaery, hearing their footsteps fade, let out a cold chuckle.
She’d seen Craig’s skill–how he’d toppled a dozen fighters with one move, leaving them stunned.
Those two? They were doomed. With a smirk, she rolled over and slept.
Under night’s cover, Dominic and Avery crept toward Craig’s courtyard, leaving their carriage at the alley’s mouth.
The house was dark, no light to hint at life within. They whispered as they neared.
“Warmth’s coming from this room,” Dominic said. “The remedy’s got to be here.”
“You take the window,” Avery said. “I’ll take the door.”
Avery drew his sword, its blade glinting faintly,
Dominic eased the door open with his dagger. “We’re in,” he whispered.
They slipped inside, the room black as pitch.
Before Dominic could guess where the remedy lay, a hand grabbed his collar. A flurry of slaps stung his face, and he was thrown into the snowy courtyard.
“Dominic!” Avery shouted, glimpsing shadows and hearing blows before Dominic flew out.
Before he could react, he was seized, his face smarting from rapid slaps. The house’s master had caught them.
“Who Avery started, but he was hurled out, landing beside Dominic in a bruised heap.
A pile of straw from a chicken coop saved them from broken bones.
“Thieving brats!” a voice sneered from the dark. “If you weren’t the Chancellor’s and Lord of Rites‘ sons, I’d have beaten you senseless!”
The scornful voice mocked them and their families. “Get lost!”
A roar shook the air, sending them scrambling to their carriage.
2/4
23:41 Wed, 20 Aug
Chapter 13
Inside, Dominic, feathers in his hair, gasped, “This place is for beggars! How’s he that strong?
Avery’s face burned, smeared with filth.
“He knew us in the dark. He’s no ordinary man. We can’t return.”
“But Tessa…” Dominic said, his swollen face pig like, yet his heart still hers.
Avery’s jaw tightened. “We’ve no choice but Margaery”
“She can’t fight a stray dog,” Dominic scoffed. “But she’s got remedies. That old man must favor her.”
Dominic’s heart twisted. ‘Why her?”
Inside, a fire warmed the room. Margaery slept soundly.
Come morning. her maid Paige crept in, hesitant. “My lady, did you hear? Lord Avery and Lord Dominic were hurt last
night.”
Margaery wasn’t surprised, but Paige’s betrayal still stung–when she’d lied, claiming Margaery pushed Tessa off the garden steps.
Turning, she said coolly, “I hadn’t heard. But I know you vouched for Tessa’s lie.”
Paige’s eyes darted, but Margaery cut her off. “You’re here for Tessa, aren’t you? Tell her I know.”
“My lady-” Paige stammered, shocked.
Last time, Margaery fought to clear her name.
“Isn’t this what Tessa wants?” Margaery said with a sharp smile. “Stay with her, You’re not needed here.”
Paige paled. She’d backed Tessa, banking on her favor in the Wallen family.
But Tessa keeping her would admit Paige’s disloyalty.
Besides, Tessa’s retinue–maids and governesses handpicked to shape her into a lady–had no room for her.
Paige dropped to her knees. “My lady, you can’t cast me out! I serve the whole Wallen family, not just you. You’ve no
right!”
Her words, though from the floor, held a bold edge. “Send me away, and Lord Chancellor will think you’re petty, punishing a maid for speaking truth about Lady Tessa.”
“it’ll reflect poorly on you.”
3/4
