Danae’s POV
A wedding dress was an effective way to make strangers look.
As Eirwen and I approached Golden Sands Bay, people slowed to stare.
Phones came out.
Whispers followed us toward the expensive restaurant overlooking the sea.
Good.
We needed people watching.
“Two, please,” Eirwen told the hostess.
“She’s getting married at Golden Sands this afternoon and hasn’t eaten.
We thought we’d have a late brunch.”
The woman smiled brightly at me.
“Congratulations!
I’ll find you a lovely view.
Perfect weather for a beach wedding.”
“Thank you.”
My smile felt thin.
Eirwen passed her something discreetly.
Money, perhaps, or instructions; I couldn’t tell.
Soon we were at one of the terrace’s best tables, looking toward the stretch of beach where Galen expected to marry me in three hours.
Our server arrived with another cheerful smile.
“Something to celebrate for the bride?
Our Sea Goddess cocktail would be just the thing.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
I forced enough brightness into the words to pass for happy.
Once the server had gone, I leaned toward Eirwen.
“Sea Goddess.
Appropriate, considering the seaside accident we’re planning.”
Her hand tightened around mine.
“Still ready?
It needs to look natural.
But noticeable enough that they remember it.”
I nodded and drew a steadying breath.
The cocktail was blue, with an orchid and a fine sugar rim.
When the server’s attention turned away, Eirwen slipped something into it.
I drank.
Coconut and blue curaçao.
Nothing else I could taste.
We talked lightly for roughly ten minutes, performing an ordinary brunch while we waited.
Gradually, my head began to feel light.
It was the sensation Eirwen had described, something I thought I could manage.
Time.
I rose and let the glass slide out of my fingers.
It shattered across the terrace floor.
Nearby conversations stopped.
“I don’t feel right.
Something’s…
wrong.”
Loud enough to reach the neighboring tables.
Not a performance, I told myself.
Just a woman suddenly unwell.
I swayed toward the railing as though I needed air.
The pallor was real.
So was the cold sweat gathering on my forehead.
Whatever I’d swallowed was doing more of the work now.
“Danae?
Dana, are you okay?”
Eirwen’s voice climbed with convincing alarm.
I turned toward her, let my gaze blur, then rolled my eyes upward and fell backward.
The cry that escaped me wasn’t part of the plan.
For an instant, white fabric billowed around me in the sunlight, light as foam.
Then I struck the ground harder than I’d expected.
Pain broke through the performance. Find the original chapter at g.com.
My body began jerking beyond my control, and foam gathered at my mouth.
The terrace erupted.
“Help her!” Eirwen screamed.
“Someone call an ambulance!”
Through narrow slits, I saw phone after phone aimed toward me.
People identifying themselves as medical professionals hurried forward.
I stopped fighting the drug’s pull and let consciousness loosen its hold.
“She’s supposed to get married today!” Eirwen sounded frantic.
“Please, somebody help!”
Darkness closed in.
For now, at least, Galen couldn’t take me to that beach.
Voices eventually reached me through the heavy remains of drugged sleep.
I kept my eyes shut.
Something told me to listen before letting anyone know I was awake.
“What have they found out?”
Galen.
Anger stretched his voice tight.
“Who put something in her food?
Is there any news?”
Eirwen answered cautiously.
“The hotel manager checked the cameras and the ingredients.
They couldn’t find anything wrong.
They think someone jealous of Danae may have tried to poison her.”
Silence followed.
Even with my eyes closed, I could almost feel him going tense.
Then he swore.
“Fucking perfect timing.”
His voice had dropped into a harsh whisper.
“Tell the hotel to stop looking into it.
They don’t need to investigate any further.
It was probably an accident.”