CHAPTER FORTY-ONE.

(MELIORA'S POV)

A cracking, old voice pierced through the peace of slumber that enveloped me. "Liora...wake up now, child."

I peeled my eyelids open with great effort, blinking owlishly as Elder Morris's weathered visage swam into focus before me. She was leaning over the cot as her hand draped on my shoulder.

"Liora, you can go home and rest properly now," Elder Morris added.

I sat up and blinked the blurriness from my eyes, I turned to regard the elderly woman with a squint. Sure enough, the first pale brushstrokes of dawn were just starting to penetrate the nursery windows.

"It's morning already," Morris continued gruffly. "I'm here to take over watching the sick boy for the day shift."

Rubbing one hand across my face, I gave a tiny nod of acknowledgment as the lingering tendrils of sleep slowly dissipated.

"Oh, thank you," I murmured, rising stiffly from the uncomfortable chair with a wince. "I'll see you later then."

Offering Morris a small, appreciative wave, I shuffled out of the chamber and into the stillness of the gray pre-dawn hush enveloping the village.

For a moment, I simply stood motionless in the middle of the empty commons, letting the crisp morning air revive my senses as I considered my options.

The obvious choice would be to return to my cabin and catch up on some much-needed rest before my first training session later during the day.

However, the memory of Prince Luther's unannounced and wholly unwelcome visit last night made me pause. What if he tried capturing me while I'm at the cabin?

This time with the intention of publicly naming me his bride at the impending ceremony like he insinuated yesterday? A shudder rippled through me at the thought.

"He'll have guards forcefully bring me to the ceremony if I'm there," I muttered under my breath, the pieces rapidly clicking into place.

No, I couldn't risk resting at my cabin, not with the very real chance of being ambushed and dragged into another fiasco against my will. I had to get away, at least until after the prince had departed with his new mate.

Mind made up, I hurried back to my little dwelling with renewed purpose, keeping a wary eye out for any signs of movement from the few other occupied cabins dotting the village perimeter.

Slipping inside, I was greeted by Martha's familiar form hunched on my mattress. She started at the sound of the door creaking open, eyes going wide.

"Where have you been?" she demanded in a harsh whisper, casting an obvious look around at the slowly brightening gloom outside.

"Don't you know how to knock?" I shot back, unable to resist the knee-jerk retort as I dropped my shawl onto the rickety wooden table.

Martha rolled her eyes expressively. "I slept in the nursing chamber last night while helping with the sick," I added by way of explanation.

Her brows climbed nearly to her hairline at this unexpected revelation. "So the Luna agreed to let you help take care of the sick ones?" she asked, sounding almost impressed.

With a succinct nod, I moved about the cramped space, beginning to gather a few essential items into a small rucksack.

"Yes, Burke told me the Luna said I can join the combat training group to learn basic fighting and defense skills, instead of joining the hunters." I replied in an offhand tone, concentrating on my task.

Martha's sun-browned features split into a wide grin at this welcome news. "Well, I'm happy for you! I hope you don't feel too lonely now? I was scared you fled away when I didn't find you here."

Her gaze slid to the discarded breadcrumbs scattered across the hard packed floor, and she pointed with a frown. "But why is there bread all over here? The rats will come soon to eat it."

With a grimace, I bent to hastily scoop up the telltale crumbs, my mind flashing back to the confrontation with Prince Luther when the rolls had spilled in my panicked attempt to flee.

"Thanks for the reminder," I told Martha, straightening back up with the evidence safely contained in my free palm.

"Should I come get you later when the ceremony starts?" Martha asked expectantly, giving me an appraising look.

However, the very notion of attending the upcoming nuptial event made my stomach roil with apprehension of another disastrous confrontation. I quickly shook my head.

"No, absolutely not!" I stated in a tone that brooked no argument. "I have some laundry that needs tending to, and I desperately need more rest before my training this evening."

Martha's brows knit together in a disgruntled scowl, but I matched her stare steadily, refusing to cave.

"Fine, suit yourself then!" she huffed, throwing up her hands in obvious exasperation before turning on her heel and stomping towards the exit. "I'm leaving anyway!"

"See you around," I called out to her retreating back, but Martha didn't so much as glance over her shoulder before disappearing through the doorway and letting it slam shut behind her.

Heaving a tired sigh, I sank onto the edge of my bed, distractedly cramming the few scraps of leftover bread into my mouth as my thoughts turned inward once more.

The memory of Luther's unexpected arrival and arrogant demands made me shudder anew.

I had no doubts the silver-tongued prince wouldn't stop at anything to try and force my compliance as his "true" mate - which meant I needed to avoid him and the entire ceremony at all costs.

I simply couldn't take the risk of him springing some other outrageous scheme or ambush in his efforts to claim me before the gathered crowd. My pulse began to throb heavily in my ears at the mere idea of such a public humiliation.

No, my course was clear. I needed to get away from the village grounds entirely until after Luther had been officially bonded and spirited off by his new mate. It was the only way to ensure I wouldn't get unwittingly swept up in the chaos.

"I'll be back by evening when he's surely gone." I told Kaira as I quickly finished my buns with determination set in my mind.