Chapter 63


    Chapter 63 All her options


    CA SSANDRA


    I was a little taken aback by the Alpha King’s question. Did Asher actually care that I’d been hurt or had


    he asked only out of politeness?


    I nodded anyway. “I’m fine.”


    He didn’t seem as convinced. His eyes remained fixed on my bandaged arm and his mouth drew into a


    thin line. With every second, I was growing more and more ufortable with this interaction and


    decided to not waste any more time.


    “How is Adalyn?” I wondered and immediately, Asher broke his gaze and cleared his throat.


    “Half of her left forearm is burnt,” he revealed and he ran his hand through his tousled dark hair tiredly.


    “Though the acid wasn’t strong enough to get to the bone, it will leave permanent scars. The royal


    healers did all they could, but there’s only so much they could aplish. Adalyn is upset.”


    I nodded but didn’t say anything. Of course Adalyn would be upset. She was incredibly vain when it


    came to her appearance. Any type of w or imperfection would make her more emotional than the


    physical pain itself.


    For a moment, I wanted to scoff at the ridiculousness, but then I remembered my own injuries from the


    inferno. To this day, I had no idea how Emmett had been able to cure me and remove all of my burn


    scars.


    “Look, I know this wasn’t your fault, Ca ssandra,” Asher spoke again. “But this is aplicated matter


    that needs sorting out. In the meantime, I suggest that you don’t leave your chambers or roam the


    pce. I think it would be best for everyone


    you remained confined and out of sight, at least for now.”


    if


    “I understand,” I said quietly and I nodded as I considered his words. Adalyn Moses was the Beta’s


    daughter and the Alpha King’s wife. I was nothing more than a


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    countrymoner. Though I had once been someone important, I no longer held any power, therefore,


    I needed to heed Asher’s decree, no matter how much I


    disliked it.


    “Are you sure it doesn’t hurt?” Asher pressed, and he gestured again to my bandaged hand. He


    reached out to touch my arm, but I automatically recoiled from


    his touch.


    “I’m fine,” I managed, and then I backed away further still. “If there’s nothing more to say, Your Majesty,


    I think it would be best for me to leave. It’s been a long. day for everyone and I need to see my son.”


    Asher said nothing, but I turned around anyway and headed toward the door. I waited for him to say


    something or stop me in some way, but when he didn’t, I continued out the door and into the hallway.


    My eyes began to well up with tears, but I forced them back as best as I could. As much as I


    appreciated Asher’s care and understanding, it came with a cost. The more he offered, the more


    jealous and wrathful Adalyn would be, and I didn’t want anything to do with that. This time I had been


    the intended victim of her scorn but next time, it could be Finnick. I couldn’t risk that. I would do


    anything to keep my son safe, no matter what.


    When I got back to my chamber, Erika and Finnick were waiting for me, and they both noticed my


    bandage immediately.


    “What happened, Ca ssandra?” Erika demanded and she rushed to my side. She carefully took my arm


    and stared at me with wide eyes. Her concern was nearly enough to make me cry all over again, but I


    couldn’t risk getting upset in front of


    Finnick.


    “Something at work,” I remarked. “An ident. I’m okay, though.”


    Erika didn’t seem convinced and neither did Finnick at first. The pair stared at me for a while until


    Finnick returned to ying with his toys. Meanwhile, I took a seat at the table and released a heavy


    breath. Erika disappeared for a little while, and when she returned, she had tea and a small tray of tiny


    cakes. She brought


    some over to Finnick and then set them in front of


    mo


    “Ca ssandra,” Erika said softly as she poured me a steaming cup of jasmine. “What happened? Are


    you alright?”


    I nced over at Finnick. He was too distracted by his treat and his stuffed


    animals to notice us. So, I decided to tell her the truth.


    “I’m okay, but something did happen,” I admitted, and then I told her the whole story. I didn’t spare any


    detail, but I kept my voice hushed enough for Finnick not to overhear us. Thest thing I needed was


    for my son to get involved in this


    nightmare of a situation.


    Erika shook her head as I finished. The color had vanished from her usually rosy cheeks and worry


    painted her expression.


    “Ca ssandra,” she sighed. “Oh, goodness. Lady Adalyn won’t let this go easily.”


    I nodded gravely. “I know.”


    I took a long sip of my tea and prayed it would soothe my nerves, at least a little bit. I forced a little


    more down, and once I found the courage, I looked back at Erika and took her hand in my uninjured


    one.


    “Erika, if something happens to me, will you take care of Finnick?” I asked


    quietly.


    The maid’s eyes welled up a little and she leaned in.


    “Of course I will,” she said with no hesitation. “I will do anything and everything to take care of that


    sweet boy. You have my word, Ca ssandra.”


    “Thank you,” I whispered, and then I nced over at Finnick. He looked so happy. All I wanted was for


    him to have the best life possible.


    Suddenly, Kaleb’s offer crossed my mind for the first time. It was a crazy idea, and I was certain the


    king of Yurene wanted something from me beyond what he was expressing, not to mention the North


    was dangerous. I was unfamiliar with everything there. But it was tempting to leave Anemond behind


    for good. If I went to the North, Adalyn, Asher, Margaret, and Oliver Moses would all be a part of my


    past.


    I could leave Anemond and all of this wickedness forever. I could finally let Coral Felix rest and allow


    myself to live fully as Ca ssandra Keller.


    “Thank you, Erika,” I said again, realizing I’d fallen silent as my mind wandered. “For everything. I really


    appreciate everything you’ve done and continue to do for


    1.


    “It’s no trouble at all,” she assured me. “I promise you.”


    She squeezed my hand and smiled warmly at me. Even with a different identity, the maid had treated


    me the same as she had when I was young. She was so warm, so friendly, and so willing to take care


    of me and my son. Erika was one of the best people I’d ever known. Could I leave her behind? I didn’t


    know.


    And what about Asher? Could I forget all about him and abandon him for the North? I thought I could.


    But ever since our reunion, something had changed inside me. Would I be able to force back my


    thoughts, my dreams, my desires to have him as my own again?


    As much as I longed for an answer right then and there, I didn’t know what I


    wanted.


    But I had to consider all of my options.


    I had to.