"She’ll be staying here with me."

Nina froze.

Her pulse lurched.

He was suspecting her. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

He wanted her close so he could watch her.

A nervous laugh escaped her.

"No." She shook her head quickly. "I’ll be fine in my own room."

Rodrigo’s expression didn’t change. "What if the creature returns?" he asked.

"It won’t." Nina blurted quickly.

"How sure are you about that?" he asked, raising a brow.

She opened her mouth, but no words came.

"So the safest place for you is here," he said.

"You don’t like people close to you." She laughed dryly, ’’I would not want to bother you with my presence."

For the first time, something flickered across his face.

"You don’t need to worry about me." This time he held her gaze. "You will stay here until I find it safe for you to have your own quarters."

Nina looked away from him, her fingers twisting in her dress.

Think.

If she continued to refuse, it would worsen his suspicions, and besides, he had the Vothraki.

Whatever answers it held, she would find them faster if she stayed close to him.

She looked back at him.

"Okay."

Something crossed his eyes, but it disappeared just as soon as it came. Then he nodded.

"Good," he said, standing. He placed the bowl down on the side stool.

"Take a bath," he said. "There are fresh towels inside." He walked out the door.

Nina sat still for a long moment, staring at the shut doors, then she drew a long breath, brushing her hand through her hair.

Fair. It would be strange if he didn’t suspect anything.

But what if he went digging and found out she wasn’t Sabrina?

Nina shut her eyes at the thought.

Breathe in...

How had her life become so complicated in a matter of days?

Her stomach twisted at the thought, and she forced herself to breathe in.

Her eyes moved to the table, and she stood, walking to it. Nina stood for a long second, staring at it.

Would he keep something so important here?

Her eyes flickered to the door as she hesitated, before she pulled the drawer out.

Piles of books sat inside, nothing unusual.

She couldn’t feel any magic.

She shut the drawer, brushing her fingers through her hair.

Obviously, he wouldn’t leave something so important lying around.

But why had she cursed them? What really happened twenty years ago?

There were too many missing pieces.

There should be someone who knew something. How would she go digging without raising suspicion?

Her eyes closed, thinking.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

She straightened and turned to it.

"Come in."

The door creaked open, and Moreen stepped inside.

For a second, she froze.

Then her eyes filled with tears.

"My lady—"

She rushed forward and wrapped Nina in a tight embrace.

Nina let out a small yelp as she steadied herself on the table.

Moreen dropped to her knees, still clutching her.

"You’re alive," she said, her voice breaking. "You’re really here."

Nina lifted her hands awkwardly before resting them against her back.

"I am," she said, her voice dry. "Though I might not be if you keep squeezing me like this."

Moreen pulled back immediately.

"I’m sorry! I was just happy."

Nina smiled. "I know. It’s fine."

Moreen stared at her, as if trying to convince herself she was real.

Nina pulled her to her feet. "Get up," she said. "It’s all over now. I am alive."

Moreen’s eyes remained wide. "How did you survive? All the previous Lunas..."

"I was lucky," she said. "Enough about the ugly things. Bring me a change of clothes. I look terrible."

Moreen’s gaze dropped to the dark stain on Nina’s dress.

"What happened?" she asked, a worried look on her face.

Nina dragged in a breath. "Enough questions now, Moreen," she said, her voice firmer this time. "Get me clothes I can change into," she paused, "and move my things here." A faint smile touched her lips.

"I’ll be staying in the Alpha’s quarters from now on."

Color drained from Moreen’s face.

"What?"

Nina turned to her. "What?" she asked.

"The Alpha..."

Nina smiled, humming as she walked toward the bath chamber.

"Hurry up now," she said. "Bring hot water and run the bath."

Moreen straightened immediately.

"Yes, Luna."

She hurried out of the room.

...

Nina lay still inside the bathtub, the water above her head, bubbles rising to the surface.

She held herself under and tried to reach for fragments of Annalise’s memories. But there was still nothing. Just a blank slate.

Not even a face she could remember.

Her eyes opened underwater, the surface rippling faintly above her, bubbles drifting up from her lips, and she stayed still until her lungs began to burn.

She held herself under a moment longer. Then she pulled herself up, broke the surface, and dragged in air, water streaming down her face and over her shoulders as she gripped the edge of the tub.

The doors to the bathroom opened, and Nina’s eyes lifted.

"My lady," Moreen’s voice sounded. "Breakfast is ready."

Nina stepped out, and her feet came to a stop when she saw who was standing in the middle of the room.

Ruri. The Alpha’s cousin.

When she saw her, Ruri’s lips stretched into a bright smile, and before Nina could say a word, she had crossed the room, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Nina stumbled, catching herself before she could fall.

"I knew there was something about you." Ruri lifted her head, staring at Nina, a bright smile stretching her lips.

"I’m glad you made it," she said, breathless. "I had to rush here first thing in the morning to see for myself."

Nina smiled. News does travel fast.

"You’re going to be Rodrigo’s wife. I’m happy. Finally he’s going to have someone by his side."

Nina stared at her.

"Are you close with him?"

Ruri’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"As close as anyone can be, I guess."

Nina raised a brow.

Ruri laughed softly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"My cousin keeps to himself. He always has."

Nina watched her, a smile forming. She might have an idea of where the Vothraki was.

She raised her hands and placed them on Ruri’s shoulders.

"Have you had breakfast?" she asked.

Ruri shook her head.

"That’s good," Nina said, her smile softening. "We should eat together."