Page 52 of Trapped By Vengeance

And then servants are hurrying out of the kitchen with a majestic spread. A platter bearing a roasted boar is put in front of me. Puddings line the table below, and the men dive in eagerly, like they were given boars instead of bowls. Other servants dart around, pouring wine into goblets. Mine is already filled, and I take a tentative sip, hoping it will be enough to calm my nerves.

They must have slaughtered this boar in the kitchen, because suddenly all I can smell is blood.

One of the servants approaches me, and I’m relieved to see he must have been outside more than once in his life, because he actually has a healthy color in his cheeks— unlikeallthe nobility sitting at this table with me. “Is the boar not to your liking?” He trembles, like my answer is the difference between a whipping or not.

I frown and lean forward to hack off a piece of flesh. “Oh, it is, thank you.” I was just waiting for Baron Schwerin to serve himself first, but he seems content to drink from his goblet and keep his platter empty.

The servant ducks his head and then rushes away.

A good hunk of meat comes free, and I place it on my plate. Despite the unease of the situation, I feel my hunger keenly. This meat will satisfy me like I haven’t known for a long time.

I look across the way to Valda as she shakes her head to the servant offering to serve her pudding as well.

“I’m not hungry just now,” she murmurs.

Frowning, I cut off a few bites of boar and place them on her plate. “I’m not sure I’ve seen you eat one thing in our time together. You don’t have to starve yourself to make a point anymore.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Valda frowns at the food on her plate before forcing a smile for me so easily, I wouldn’t know it was fake if I hadn’t seen her real grins. “Since yourescuedme.”

“Indeed.” I settle back down and take a bite of boar to keep her from pushing me to speak any more.

Valda doesn’t even try and focuses all her attention on rearranging the meat on her plate. When she senses my stare, she finally forces one bite into her mouth but appears to fight to swallow before drowning it with wine— which is ridiculous, because this truly is a juicy boar. I help myself to a second serving before Valda takes a second bite. I’m surprised no one else is clamoring for it, but they seem to be content with their puddings.

I knew that nobility always served multiple courses at their dinners, but I had assumed until now that they all ate of the courses together and then moved to the next. Apparently, though, different people are just assigned different dishes. I’llnever understand the wealthy— but I won’t complain about being granted only meat to consume.

Finally, I come to the point where I cannot eat anymore if I plan on battling for my survival in the near future. I can only hope Eloise has purchased herself a nice, hot meal. And that I can survive long enough to return to her.

Thunder booms outside, which is hardly a good omen. Then the servants rush in to completely clear the table. They even take the cups that aren’t being clutched by the other guests. Then, instead of returning to the shadows to lurk until they are needed, they all duck into the kitchen and close the door behind them. And is that the sound of them bolting it?

Standing, I turn to Baron Schwerin, ready to flee. “What’s going on?”

The man doesn’t even look at me, though, as he sips from the goblet he shielded from the servants. “Valda, my dear, it’s nearly moonrise.”

I turn to Valda. “What—”

But she’s no longer standing across from me. Instead, she’s suddenly beside me.

“How—” I begin.

“I’m so sorry,” she murmurs. Then she pushes me.

Suddenly, I’m lying flat on the table the boar was just sitting on.

Before I can get up, Valda is on top of me. Despite the tightness of her dress, she plants one knee on either side of my hips. Both her hands are on my shoulders, holding them down.

I gape at her in shock. “Lady Valda— your father is right there!”

Ignoring my observation, Valda leans toward me. Despite the overwhelming cloud of bleeding heart, I smell the blood in her breath.

More thunder booms outside, though there isn’t a single window to reveal lightning has flashed. I feel like I’ve suffered a lightning bolt to the mind, though.

Her pale skin that is always ice cold, the constant wearing of a cloak and gloves, her lack of appetite, the peculiar dining habits of all these guests in a windowless castle where the servants don’t know how to start a fire—

Horror claws through my veins as I slowly realize just how dire my situation is and just what kind of creature lured me into it. “Estrie!”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Predator and Prey

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