Chapter 6: Debt and Dream

The Northern Defense General? I’d heard the name before. My eyes fluttered shut and I fainted, the steady beat of his heart the last thing I remembered.

When I woke, a maid was treating my wounds. “Miss, don’t move. This will probably scar.” Her touch was gentle, practiced.

I planned to leave Marcus’s house as soon as I could. I didn’t want to owe anyone. Governor Blake’s men had stripped me of everything, but I’d hidden my mother’s jade pendant deep inside my clothes. The stone was smooth, cool against my palm—Mother’s voice echoed in my memory: “This will keep you safe, Natalie.”

I meant to pawn it to pay Marcus back for the medicine.

Not long after, Blake’s men found me. “Miss, you’ve made us search. Come see the Governor.” His grip left bruises, angry and possessive.

“I won’t go.”

“Your contract’s in the Governor’s hands.” He waved the paper like a flag.

A black shadow shot out—Marcus kicked the man away. “Who dares cause trouble at the general’s gate?” He swung his sword and the man ran.

If I’d left then, maybe none of this would’ve happened. But I stayed.

Later, in the bath, the water was cold but I couldn’t move. Lily knocked. “Miss, it’s late. Please finish bathing and get some rest.”

“Alright.” I pulled on my nightgown.

She handed me a mug of bitter herbal tea. “It’s for birth control.” No judgment, just routine.

I drank it in one gulp, the taste familiar from The Velvet Room.

That night, I dreamed of Marcus under the apple tree, laughing, the apple blossoms falling like snow, sticking to my shoes. I reached out, but he faded to mist. “Wait,” I called, but no sound came.

I woke with a splitting headache, chest tight. Outside, someone whispered, “The general ordered her sent away.”

One night wasn’t enough. I had to find another way to stay by his side. I’d come too far to fail Marcus now. I would bring justice to the man who destroyed us—whatever it cost.