Kaelan burst into Mira’s chambers like a storm, his fury radiating from every step. Mira, seated by the window with a book in hand, looked up in surprise as the door slammed open.
“Kaelan?” she asked, rising to her feet. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” he repeated, his voice sharp and bitter. “You tell me, Mira. What have I done to deserve this from you?”
Mira frowned, confusion evident on her face. “I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”
Kaelan’s glare deepened. “The tea, Mira. Did you prepare it? Did you order it brought to the council?”
“Yes, I did,” she said slowly, her confusion growing. “But—”
Her answer was cut short as Kaelan’s voice rose. “Then it’s true.” His chest heaved as he struggled to contain the anger and hurt coursing through him. “You poisoned me.”
Mira’s eyes widened in shock. “Poisoned you? Kaelan, I would never—”
“Don’t lie to me!” he bellowed, taking a step closer. “Was it because of the selection? Because you thought I might take another mate?”
“Kaelan, no! I don’t know what’s happening, but I swear I didn’t—”
His fury burned brighter, drowning out her protests. “Enough, Mira. I thought… I thought I could trust you. I thought you were different.”
Tears streamed down Mira’s face as she stepped toward him, her voice breaking. “Kaelan, please. You know me. You know I would never hurt you.”
But her words fell on deaf ears. Kaelan’s expression hardened, and he straightened, his tone cold and final.
“I will take another mate,” he said, each word deliberate and cutting. “And there is nothing you can do about it.”
Mira staggered back as though struck, the weight of his declaration crashing over her.
Before she could respond, guards entered the room, their expressions grim as they began to ransack her belongings.
“What is this?” Mira demanded, her voice trembling as she watched them tear through her things.
From behind the guards, Liana stepped into the room, her presence a cruel reminder of the chaos unfolding. “Check her bag,” she said, pointing toward the corner.
Mira’s eyes widened. “What are you doing, Liana?”
The guards searched through her belongings until one of them pulled out a small jar. He held it up for all to see, and Mira’s heart dropped as the pungent scent of wolfsbane filled the room.
“No,” Mira whispered, shaking her head. “I didn’t… I don’t know how that got there.”
Kaelan stared at the jar, his face a mask of betrayal and pain. “You disgust me,” he said quietly, the venom in his voice cutting deeper than any blade.
Mira opened her mouth to protest, but the guards seized her arms. Kaelan turned away, his voice heavy with disdain as he gave the order.
“Take her to the dungeon.”