“I don’t.” I smile.
The officiant pretends I said yes anyways.
Anton smirks as he puts the ring on my finger. I don’t put a ring on his. Don’t say vows. I stand still as a salt statue, expressionless, a heavy weight settling in my heart.
But when Anton leans in, I don’t hesitate.
I kiss him.
His mouth tastes like champagne and entitlement. It’s disgusting, but I force myself to go through with it. I keep the contact brief but deliberate, my lips pressed where they need to be, long enough. Long enough for him to smile against my mouth and run his tongue over my bottom lip, satisfied.
My heart is hammering so hard it hurts.
This is it.
I pull back.
For one horrible second, nothing happens.
Then Anton stiffens.
It’s subtle at first. His grin falters, his jaw tightening like something has seized up inside it. His hand twitches where it rests on mine. Confusion flashes across his face, quickly followed by something uglier.
Fear.
He swallows hard.
I feel it then too.
The world tilts slightly, like the floor has shifted an inch to the left. A cold sheen breaks across my skin. My fingers start to tremble, fine and uncontrollable, and my vision blurs at the edges.
So itisworking.
On him faster than on me.
Good.
“What…” Anton chokes. “Did… you do…?”
Atropa belladonna.Also known as deadly nightshade. Its flowers are a sight to behold, but touching it too freely can spell your doom.
And licking it off someone’s lips will seal it.
“I got free.” I flash him one last smile. “Sweet dreams,darling.”
My chest tightens, breath coming shallow now. I should feel triumph. Relief. Instead, the only thing in my head is Matteo’s face—serious, intent, the way he looks at me like I matter. His kisses on my lips, the only ones I ever wanted to remember.
I wish we’d met in a kinder world. A better one.
And that I’d been brave enough to tell him the truth.
Anton makes another choking sound. Someone gasps. The murmurs ripple outward, confusion spreading through the room like a crack in glass.
My knees buckle.
Cold sweat slicks my spine. The ceiling swims. This is the part I knew was coming, the cost I accepted.
Better to die free than live chained.
