soon as the door slammed shut behind him, I turned my face into the pillows and screamed out my
frustration.
Chapter 31
AMARIS
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I needed answers and by the g ods, I will get them. I sent for the healer. The tea Raine drank sat on my desk in the office. Rhona said I ordered it for her for Raineâs health. If this was Gwynethâs doing, I will make sure she has a slow, painful death.
âYou asked for me, your Majesty? Is the queenâs condition worse?â She looked genuinely concerned. As well she
should be. For her own sake.
âSheâs fine, considering.â I pointed at the tea. âHave a drink.â
âYour Majesty?â She frowned at me, questioningly.
âIs there a reason why you would refuse my offer?â I watched her intently and listened for the quickening of her heartbeat, a hitch of her breath, anything that would give me an indication that she was afraid.
Nothing.
âWell, of course not. Itâs just unusual.â She shrugged and poured herself a cup. âWhat about you, your Majesty?â
âI detest tea.â
I watched her take a sip and grimace in disgust.
âArgh! What is this?â She put the cup down and wiped her mouth.
I
âYou tell me. Did you not brew it for my queen?â I asked keeping my voice level and my wolf in check. He wanted to pounce on her and throttle the truth out of the woman.
If it were an act, she would be an excellent actress. âWhy would I brew tea for Her Majesty? This isâ¦â she took another sip of the tea, tasting it on her tongue. âGinger root and cinn amon. And something elseâ¦â she took another sip, âI donât know what it is.â
She told the truth. I saw it clearly in her green eyes. She was puzzled.
âIs it poison?â
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She shook her head. âNo. But I can tell you that it is used as a contraceptive and also to induce⦠Oh!â A look of horror passed her face. âYour Majestyâ¦. You honestly thought I would do this?â
âA contraceptive?â I mulled over that idea. Who had the most to gain by Raine not conceiving?
âSorin.â Rage growled like a demon-possessed wolf. âI will end him!â
âYes, although I never willingly prescribe it to the she-wolves who donât want pups right away. It could lead to permanent sterilization.â Gwyneth clutched the cup in her hands. âThis is horrible, your Majesty. I would never do that to you. I know how badly you need an heir.â
âAnd if a pregnant she-wolf were to ingest this tea?â A cruel thought entered my mind.
Gwyneth gulped audibly. âShe could lose the pup.â She must have seen where my mind was going because she put the cup down and reached for my closed fist over the desk. âNo, Sire, donât do that. You are better than that.â
âThey killed my pup, and I almost lost my mate. Tell me why I shouldnât shove this tea down her throat?â I was holding onto my sanity by a thread.
âIt could be someone else. You donât know for sure.â
âOnly one way to find out, Gwyneth.â
After I dismissed Gwyneth, I went back to check on Raine. I felt bad, I should have been gentler with her. But to my defense, I am anything but. I was brought up by my father, my mother had no time for me, no love for me, Sorin being her golden boy. I know my feelings for Raine, but it was hard for me to give it a name. I desired her, wanted to be with her all the time. Hell, call it love if you must.
was used to taking what I wanted. If I had my eye on a she-wolf, I took her and when I was done with them, they knew better than to expect something more.
Until I found Raine. Now all I wanted was her..
She was asleep when I arrived. Her cheeks were stained with tears, and I knew I was mostly the cause of them. I stoked the hair behind her ear, watching her long lashes kiss her cheeks. Goddess, she was so beautiful and breakable. I would do anything to see her smile again.
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âI will make them pay for this, my sweet Raine.â I whispered to her.
She moaned in her sleep and turned on her side. Her hand searched my side of the bed. Was she missing me?
âMate needs us.â Rage growled at me.
I know, I told him. But we have to confront Sorin and Helen.
âNo, first Raine. Tasha is upset too.â
Who was I to argue with my wolf. I took off my shoes and climbed into bed next to her. When I took her into my arms, she sighed and slung her arm around my waist.
Rage purred inside my head, and I felt content as well. My anger and bitterness subsided with her scent enveloping my senses. I fell asleep, listening to her steady breathing and her heart beating close to mine.
I invited Sorin and Helen over to my private dining room for dinner.
âWell, Brother, this is unexpected.â Sorin helped Helen into a chair, smiling, but I saw him scan the room for
Raine.
âSo nice of you, Amaris. Should we be worried? Are you ill?â Helen smirked at me. âWhere is Raine?â
As if she didnât know.
âSleeping.â I told them, watching their reaction.
Sorin chuckled, stroking his scant blonde beard. âYou should take it easy on the poor girl, Amaris.â
I chose to ignore his comment and linked Rhona to serve dinner. She also brought the tea which I had her pour into a different pot.
âThatâs a pity, I was looking forward to chatting with her. Helen said, âWeâve gotten off on the wrong foot and I feel I need to apologize to her.â She toyed with the cutlery next to her plate. She seemed nervous. âI feel especially bad about what happened at the feast.â
Sorin stroked her hand and smiled at her lovingly. For all his faults, he adored his mate. I almost felt bad for what
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I was about to do.
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Keeping a straight face I offered, âWould you like some tea, Helen. Itâs a special blend someone send especially
for Raine. But she doesnât care for it.â
âOh? Thank you, I would love some.â Helen smiled sweetly at me. âWhat kind is it?â She sniffed at it.
âWhy donât you taste it and tell me?â If she made it, she would know what it was for.
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