“Marry me.”
Everyone watched in silence. I could hear every crack of embers in the fireplace and every loose floorboard creak. Whispers, loud in the stillness.
“No.” I managed the first word on my mind.
“I do not need an answer immediately. Think on it, for the sake of your establishment.”
“I would be your prisoner.”
“Whether you are my pet or my prisoner is up to you.”
“Leave.”
“Alina—”
“I saidleave!” I screamed, the axe whistling faintly as I swung it through the air.
Silas leaned back with his hands clasped behind his back, a victorious grin crawling across his face at the inflection. He took a step back.
“One week,” he warned, his eyes darkening. “You have one week to decide.”
“Leave before Idecidewhich way I want todisembowelyou,” I sneered.
He let out a low whistle in faux surprise. “Sharp as ever,” he chuckled, gesturing for Luka to get up. “I would advise that you save your energy.”
I shoved past the girls, storming from the room before I could hear him say anything else. I would explode from rage if he spoke another word. How bold he was to try and bend my will. I might have considered the deal if he had not added that insulting term. It was clear from the beginning that he only meant to possess. This was nothing but a game to him.
Nothing had changed.
17
THE POISONER
The shop bell rang as I gathered some bottles into my basket for home delivery.
“We are closed this morning; come back at midday,” I called out.
“Alina?” Edith spoke ever so softly.
I glanced up at her, my eyes narrowed. She shifted in the doorway, looking like she might cry.
“What is it?”
“I wanted to explain, to apologize.”
“I have very few rules, Edith. Could you not manage to follow justone?” I pulled on my coat before hooking my arm through the basket handle.
“I know, I know!” she whimpered, rushing to the counter as if eager to convince me.
“What did you tell him?”
“Nothing! A little about the union, the landscape—but Inevertold him where the Nest was!” She followed at my heel as we approached the door.
“What didhetellyou?”
“He said he was looking for a woman—I would not have spoken with him if I knew it was you they were looking for.” Her eyes were welling up with tears. “I felt so terrible for him. He said he was looking for his lost love and I... I...”
“I understand.” I stopped at the doorway.
