The workshop was cold and dark.

  A single lantern cast long shadows across the stone walls. The maid trembled on the floor, wrists tied behind her back, ankles bound to the chair legs. Blood trickled where the ropes had cut into her skin. Her face was deathly pale, eyes wide and glassy with terror.

  Alec stood over her, perfectly still. His golden eyes caught the lantern light and reflected it back like a wolf's in darkness.

  He said nothing.

  "You're... you're the princess's knight, aren't you?"

  "Does it matter." It wasn't a question. "I'm the one asking the questions."

  He crouched down to her level. "Who. Sent. You." Each word was measured. Controlled. But his eyes — his eyes were wild. Manic. Like something barely human stared out from behind them.

  "It was an accident, I swear—"

  His fist slammed into the wall beside her head.

  Stone cracked.

  The maid went rigid, unable even to breathe.

  Alec leaned in close — so close she could feel his breath on her face. When he spoke, his voice was soft. Almost gentle. That made it worse somehow.

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  "There was poison in the tea." He reached into his coat and produced a small vial. The liquid inside was dark, viscous. "Can you explain that?"

  "I never put poison in it. I would never—"

  He uncorked it.

  "If you're so certain — if you're so sure it was all just a misunderstanding—" He held the vial to her lips. "Drink it."

  The maid's eyes widened in horror. "I — I can't—"

  "Why not?" His head tilted like a curious predator. "You just said it was an accident. That it was harmless. So drink."

  "Please—" She sobbed, shaking her head frantically.

  Alec pulled the vial back. Set it down carefully on the workbench.

  "Don't lie to me." Something dangerous flickered in his eyes — wild and barely leashed. "Another maid saw you. She watched you slip something into the princess's tea with your own hands." His footsteps were slow. Deliberate. "So tell me — why?"

  Silence.

  "Was it the princess?" His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Did Francesca put you up to this? Jealousy? Did she promise you gold? Protection? Or was it something else?"

  The maid shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face.

  Alec reached into his coat and unfolded a small piece of paper. "You have a family, don't you." He studied it. "A son. Thomas. Age seven. Lives in a village near the Eastern border." He looked up.

  Her breath hitched. "I — I—"

  "Tell me the truth." His hand moved to the hilt of his sword. "If you want nothing bad to happen to him."

  "No! Please!" The words came tumbling out in a desperate rush. "The princess — she told me to spike the tea! But it wasn't poison, I swear on my life! It was just a laxative! I don't understand what happened — I only put in what she gave me!"

  Alec stared at her for a long moment.

  Then he straightened. "I understand. Thank you for your cooperation."

  "My son—" She sobbed. "Please — please don't hurt my son—"

  For a moment, Alec froze.

  His hand clenched at his side.

  Then he turned and left the workshop without another word.

  End of Chapter 13