Chapter 42

After my training with Rowena,I spent time in the courtyard. Unfortunately, it didn't give me any peace. It only left me hungry.

I slip into the kitchen. The clatter of pots and pans rings out, and the warm glow from the giant hearth beckons me closer.

"Hello, My Lady," Cook greets me with a smile, her floured hands busy kneading dough.

"Hello. May I have one of your almond pastries?"

"Of course, help yourself." She wipes her hands on her apron and gestures to the tray filled with the day's fresh batch. "Made them just this morn."

I accept one of the pastries and find a quiet corner at a table and lift my veil to take a bite, savoring the sweet almond filling that complements the flaky crust so perfectly.

A young servant approaches and places a pewter goblet filled to the brim with chilled almond milk beside me.

"Thought you might enjoy this with your pastry, My Lady," she says with a quick curtsy before scurrying off.

"Thank you."

The familiar sounds of the kitchen continue around me as I finish the last bites of the pastry, then drain the remaining almond milk.

I stand up too quickly from the table and sway on my feet. At the last moment, I grab the back of the chair to steady myself.

I leave the kitchen and make my way through the corridors, one hand trailing along the stone walls. Each footfall seems to echo louder than usual. Or maybe it's just my heartbeat thrumming in my ears. The once familiar path to the bedchamber now seems to stretch on far longer than I remember.

When I reach the door, I push it open and step into the room. I make my way to the bed, strip off my veil, and collapse onto the soft mattress.

An intense pain slices through my abdomen, and I gasp. It's as if something inside me is trying to claw its way out. My breaths come in short, ragged pulls as I clutch at the bedcovers, knuckles white. The silken fabric offers no comfort, only a slippery grip that mocks my growing weakness.

My body convulses as I scramble from the bed and race for the carved stone chamber pot. I lean over, vomiting up all the pastry I just ate.

With every shudder, every wave of nausea that crashes over me, a small part of me wonders if this is my punishment for betraying my house and marrying Jasce.

My vision blurs and doubles as another bout overtakes me, leaving me wrung out and gasping on the edge of consciousness.

I blink, trying to focus my thoughts, but the more I try to concentrate, the more my mind drifts.

Olah, please help me!