Meredith.
I had barely digested breakfast. The turkey blanket and orange juice still weighed heavily on my stomach, dragging me into a slow, sluggish walk through the backyard gardens.
Azul trailed behind me like a shadow, her footsteps light, but persistent.
"My lady," she called softly, "will you be taking the concoction this afternoon?"
I winced. The thought alone made my tongue curl. That bitter brew had numbed my taste buds, and I was beginning to question if my tongue would ever feel again. I shook my head without turning to her.
"No. I’m not tasting that vile thing again until nightfall," I muttered, bringing a hand to my stomach. "Twice a day is enough torture."
If I had my chance, I would throw the entire pot out without minding the hours of effort that went into the preparation. And if I had another option, I would never try to undergo this horrible torture.
Azul sighed behind me. Then sighed again. And again. Until I couldn’t take it anymore.
By the tenth sigh, I stopped walking.
"Azul," I said, spinning around, "say it. Whatever is on your mind. Just say it."
She blinked, as if caught doing something forbidden. She stared at me for a moment, and seeing that I wasn’t letting go, she said, "My lady, I don’t think it’s in my place to discuss this with—"
"I don’t care," I interrupted, more gently this time. "You’ve been with me the longest. If there’s something you want to say, then say it. I promise I won’t be mad."
I guessed that whatever topic she had in mind might not be an appropriate conversation between a mistress and her maidservant.
She hesitated, clasping her hands together. Then, her voice dropped low, barely above a whisper. Then she stepped a bit closer.
"My lady... your heat. Tomorrow’s the full moon, and you said it will be strong this time... But... it would be easier to manage if you had a close relationship with Alpha Draven."
I blinked.
"What does Draven have to do with—" I started, but she cut in with a pointed look.
And I could swear that nothing out of the question occurred to me.
"He could help you," she said slowly, "if he... mated with you."
I stiffened. My face lit with heat almost immediately. Although I couldn’t see it, I could feel it.
I turned around and marched forward as fast as my stomach would allow. "Azul," I hissed, "do you know what you’re suggesting?"
Azul caught up to me quickly. "I’m not wrong," she said, a little firmer this time. "You are married to him, and it’s only nor—"
"That doesn’t mean I have to throw myself at him!" I snapped.
Azul blinked at my raised voice, but still didn’t back down. "You’ve been in pain every full moon since you turned of age, my lady. Now you finally have... a husband. Someone who can help ease the pain and stop your suffering. What is wrong with that?"
I could feel my ears turning red. And not just from anger.
Something was... wrong with my body. My breath caught in my throat. There was a sudden, familiar warmth pulsing low in my belly—foreign and intense—and it burned all the way down between my thighs.
"Azul, stop," I managed to say, my voice more breathless than I intended.
She frowned. "My lady?"
I swallowed hard. I couldn’t... I couldn’t hear this. Not now. Not when my head was suddenly spinning and my heart racing.
"I need some moments alone," I told her.
Her expression turned alarmed. "Have I offended—?"
What is wrong with me?
"You shouldn’t be here," a voice said from behind.
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