Talia’s POV
“Do it.
Flip that table.
They all deserve what’s coming.”
The voice echoed in my head like a haunting melody, dragging me up from the darkness of sleep.
My eyes snapped open.
I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart hammering against my ribs as I scanned the shadowy room.
Each breath came fast and shallow, like I’d been running.
It took several seconds for reality to sink in.
Just a dream.
I let out a shaky exhale.
My palms pressed against the cool sheets beneath me, anchoring me to the present while fragments of the dream lingered.
The voice kept playing on repeat, bringing back flashes of the banquet hall.
The mocking laughter.
The wine dripping down my dress.
The humiliation burning in my throat.
My hands twisted in the fabric.
Had I really been ready to overturn that massive table?
Would I have gone through with it if Caspian hadn’t grabbed my wrist?
I found myself wondering.
Was that my wolf speaking?
The possibility sent electricity through my veins, equal parts thrilling and terrifying.
I took a cautious mental step forward.
Hello?
Are you still there?
Nothing but silence filled the space in my mind.
I waited, straining to hear something, anything that might prove I wasn’t losing my sanity.
Still nothing.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
Of course not.
If I actually had a wolf, she would have made herself known years ago.
Everyone else discovered theirs during their teens.
But the strange heaviness in my chest wouldn’t disappear.
I pushed off the covers and swung my feet to the floor, the cold surface shocking my bare skin awake.
My gaze drifted to the small wooden table near my bed.
It wasn’t anything like the ornate banquet table, but the memory of my fingers gripping its edge, the fury flooding my system, felt as real as breathing.
I stood slowly and crossed the few steps to my tiny dining area.
Both hands found the table’s rim, just like they had the night before.
I tightened my grip until my knuckles went white, then pushed with everything I had.
The table didn’t even wobble.
I gritted my teeth and tried again, throwing my full weight behind the effort.
My muscles screamed with strain, but the wood stayed completely still.
Frustration hit me like a physical blow.
Something had been different last night.
I’d felt raw power coursing through me, something that made me feel capable of anything.
So where was it now?
I released my death grip on the table with a defeated sigh.
A soft flutter drew my attention to the window.
Two tiny birds had landed on the sill, their delicate claws gripping the narrow ledge.
They chirped quietly, cocking their heads as they studied me.
Some of my frustration melted away.
For the first time since arriving at this place, I felt my mouth curve into a genuine smile.
I grabbed a stool and positioned it by the window, settling down carefully.
The birds stayed put, which surprised me.
I lowered my head to meet their bright black eyes.
“Well, hello there,” I whispered.
They continued their soft chatter, puffing up their feathers as they got comfortable.
A quiet laugh bubbled up from my chest.
“You two are the first friendly faces I’ve seen since I got here.”
One of them spread its wings briefly before folding them neatly against its body.
I slowly extended my hand toward them, but the nearest bird immediately hopped backward.
Another soft laugh slipped out.
“Okay, message received.
No touching allowed.” I pulled back and relaxed my posture.
“But I swear I’m not dangerous.”
Their chirping grew a little louder.
I tilted my head, studying their restless movements.
“You look thirsty.”
Obviously they couldn’t respond, but something about the way they kept shifting made me act on instinct.
I rose and walked to the dining area, filling a glass with water from the pitcher.
Back at the window, I set it down gently on the sill.
Then I retreated to my bed and sat on the edge, watching expectantly.
The birds remained frozen for several heartbeats, as if weighing their options.
Finally, the braver one hopped forward.
Its companion followed suit.
Warmth spread through my chest as they dipped their tiny beaks into the water, drinking carefully.
I murmured under my breath, “So you just needed to know you could trust me.”
A sharp knock interrupted the peaceful moment.
Before I could even process the sound, my door swung open.
Madame Hildegard marched inside with four maidservants trailing behind her.
I spun back to the window just in time to watch my feathered visitors take flight, disappearing into the morning sky.
My heart sank.
Madame Hildegard offered a polite nod while the four women behind her performed small curtsies.
I blinked at the formal display before returning a hesitant nod.
This level of deference still felt completely foreign.
Madame Hildegard got straight to business.
“Bree will now be working alongside your designated attendants.”
The door opened again, and Bree stepped through.
Relief flooded my system instantly.
I jumped to my feet, unable to contain my excitement.
“Bree!” Seeing her familiar face felt like finding water in a desert.
It brought back memories of simpler times, before everything crumbled around me.
Her gentle smile was immediate.
“Miss—” She stopped herself.
“My lady.”
A disbelieving laugh escaped me.
Without thinking, I moved toward her with open arms, ready to pull her into a hug.
Madame Hildegard stepped directly into my path.
I froze, my smile dying.
Her expression was stone.
“A noblewoman does not embrace servants.”
The reminder hit like a slap to the face.
Bree quickly dropped her gaze, folding her hands properly in front of her.
Madame Hildegard’s sharp stare fixed on her.
“Have you forgotten everything you learned in training?”
Bree shook her head rapidly.
“No, Madame.”
“Then conduct yourself appropriately.
The woman standing before you is no longer your young miss.” Her words were precise, cutting.
“She is Alpha Caspian Vanderbilt’s wife.
Is that clear?”
Bree hesitated for just a moment before nodding.
“Yes, Madame.
Perfectly clear.”
She straightened her spine and addressed me again.
“My lady.”
Something hollow opened up inside my chest.
“Excellent,” Madame Hildegard said, then turned back to me.
“These four women are your personal attendants.
They were carefully selected and will serve your daily needs.”
I glanced at them briefly before focusing on Bree again.
“I want Bree as my head attendant.”
Madame Hildegard raised an eyebrow.
“For what reason?”
I straightened my shoulders, trying to project confidence.
“She’s been with me since childhood.
She understands my routines, my preferences.
Most importantly, she’s the only one here I actually trust.”
A pause stretched between us.
Then Madame Hildegard looked at me with complete indifference.
“That sounds like your personal problem.”
Heat flashed through my chest, but I bit back the sharp response forming on my tongue.
Starting a fight this early would be stupid.
Her expression remained unchanged.
“Learn to work with your new attendants.
Develop trust in them.”
I felt diminished under her cold gaze, but I couldn’t argue with the logic.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to release the tension building in my shoulders.
Madame Hildegard waited a beat before continuing.
“Prepare yourself for bathing.
The physician will arrive shortly.”
My brow furrowed.
“Why do I need a physician?” I was in perfect health, as far as I knew.
“To assess your scar.”
Every muscle in my body went rigid.
Her tone remained completely neutral.
“He will provide treatment to accelerate the healing process.”
Bitterness filled my mouth.
I’d almost managed to forget about that particular arrangement.
Now I had no choice but to face it head-on.
A heavy sigh escaped my lips.
I just wanted to get through this ordeal as quickly as possible.