“Of course not, Lady Bethany,” we murmur.
She takes a seat and snaps her attention to the servers near the walls, bobbing her head. Moments later, they return, lining our tables with fruits, pastries, and cheeses.
My mouth waters at the closest sugar-dusted roll. I hadn’t eaten all day yesterday. I imagine that was in part a punishment. As I stretch out to pluck it up, a lace fan smacks the back of my hand.
“Lyra? Are you hungry?”
I turn slowly, my hand still held toward the pastry as I glide my attention to Lady Bethany.
She smiles at me. “Did I not give you something to nourish your body yesterday?”
Blinking, I retract my hand. “Yes. Yes, you did.”
Marcella taps me underneath the table in warning.
Lady Bethany tilts her head to the side, her earrings glittering in the sunlight. “Did you not consume it?”
“Of course I did, Lady Bethany.”
“The medication I brought you surely should have quelled any sort of hunger for at least thirty-six hours.”
Dipping my head, keeping my eyes away from hers, I say, “You’re correct, Lady Bethany. I’m afraid my tongue desired more than my stomach.”
“Ahhh,” she whispers. Though, her tone doesn’t sound convinced. “I see. Though, I shall warn you, indulging right now will be…very unpleasant for your stomach. I highly suggest abstaining.”
I slide my hand underneath the table, ignoring the gnawing hunger in my stomach. Praying it doesn’t grumble and give me away.
“Aelia,” she chimes, turning her head to the blonde-haired beauty. “I trust you’ll keep an eye on these two? I must go speak with the General, to see if we are approved to have our lesson outside today.”
“Of course, Lady Bethany,” Aelia responds.
Lady Bethany rises and walks to Devin across the room, and Aelia glances at her from her peripheral vision. She whispers, “Are you two alright?”
“Yes,” Marcella answers, her hands in her lap.
Aelia’s suspicion is as sharp as her narrowed eyes bouncing back and forth between us. “Lady Bethany said you two were sick…?”
We both subtly shake our heads, and Aelia leans slightly forward. “You were not? Were you punished for being late the other night?”
I open my mouth. “I think?—”
Marcella kicks my foot, and I quiet as she responds instead, “Yes. We’ve learned our lesson about being punctual. And will be following Lady Bethany’s orders from here on out.” She slides a cautious look at me.
Aelia leans back in her chair. “You didn’t miss much after breakfast yesterday. We only repeated the lesson on how to‘properly’,” she mocks Lady Bethany’s tone, “fold napkins. Quite the bore.”
“Marcella,” Devin calls out at the top of the steps near the door to the outside hallway, while Lady Bethany descends the steps.
Devin motions to Marcella. “Come with me.”
Marcella’s long, elegant throat bobs, and she tosses me one quick look. Then she’s up out of the seat. The burgundy-colored dress slides over the marbled floors behind her as she makes her way out.
“What is going on, Lyra?” Aelia’s whisper snags my attention. Her blueeyes are wide as she scans me. “Has Marcella done something to you? You seem different…is she influencing you in some way?”
“No, of course not!”
“Is she threatening you?” she asks more quietly, glancing at my throat.
I lean forward to reiterate. “No.”
