Page 65 of Their Rejected Queen

Arwan.

And someone was comforting me…

Rubbing my eyes, I sit up before I pull Sofia into a hug. “I’m glad you’re okay,” I tell her, then I release her as I look around the empty tent. A small fire lingers in the center of the room, and smoke drifts lazily up to the opening in the ceiling. It’s night, as far as I can tell, which means I’ve slept all day.

My stomach rumbles in protest, confirming it’s been some time since I’ve eaten.

Sofia quietly retrieves some loaves of bread from the table and hands me the bowl. I start nibbling on the end of one.

“Ulara came and got me and said I could keep watch on you while Godric holds a pack meeting,” she tells me.

I raise a brow as she hands me a cup of water. Sipping it, I consider that before I reply. “So, no one is watching us right now?”

Sofia glances at the tent entrance. “Maybe she was supposed to watch us? She left a while ago.”

Adrenaline surges through my veins.

This is my chance.

Hurling the furs off my legs, I bolt to the other room and search for my vials.

When I find them, I step into some clothes, then strap the belt around my thigh.

“What are you doing?” Sofia whispers as she peeks around the corner. “Hey, did you find your vials?”

I nod. “Yes, and I’m going to use them to get us out of here. Come on. We’re⁠—”

I’ve grabbed Sofia by the wrist but jerk to a halt when she doesn’t move.

She might be a tiny thing, but she doesn’t get yanked around if she doesn’t want to.

Kind of like me.

“Go without me,” she whispers. There’s pain in her voice, but pride, too.

“What?” I ask. “I’m not leaving you. You’re coming with me.”

She shakes her head, and her blonde curls drape around her delicate shoulders. “I can’t.”

“Why?” I insist.

Her cheeks turn a rosy color, and she gives me a soft smile. “Because of Renalt.”

I frown. “Don’t tell me that’s the royal who was at your table. Don’t you know these vampire hybrids would sooner eat you than mate you? They can’t be trusted.”

She twists out of my grip. “It’s my decision, Liliana. I have been running for too long. My family isn’t like yours. I come from the outskirts of the Magic Sector, and we risked being kicked to the Industrial Sector nearly every week. When my mother got sick, there wasn’t money to save her and keep the debt collectors from taking their pound of flesh.” Her lower lip quivers.

“Oh, Sofia,” I say as I hold her hand. I’m familiar with the debt collectors in the Magic Sector.

Her mother didn’t randomly get sick. It was pressure to make her family pay up, and it had worked.

“You sold yourself,” I lament.

She nods, confirming the horrible truth. “And I signed the secrecy contract so no one would know and make things worse for my family. I’ve been looking over my shoulder, waiting for the collectors to take one of us down, or to beat me up, or worse.” Her throat seems to close up as both of us think of the alternatives for a virgin Lady in an Elite family. “I couldn’t let any of those things happen.”

“And you think a Monster Isle Royal will treat you any better?” I retort.

Her lower lip plumps out in protest. “Renalt said he’d treat me well and provide for my family so that there won’t be any fallout when I’m spotted on the live stream. I believe him. But I have to play by the rules. I can’t run off into the night.” She releases me. “But you can, Liliana. You are stronger than me. If anyone can survive out there, it’s you.”