Twenty three

GABRIELLE POV

The cup filled up steadily, almost spilling over the edges before Grandfather decided to stop the server. His eyebrows flared, as he fixed me a pointed look. I nodded my thanks, carefully picking up the drink to avoid spilling its contents.

I threw it back against my throat, and it burned, scalding my throat as it glided down. I swallowed grimacing as my eyes watered. The server started to refill the cup once I placed it down. It was deliberate. He was acting according to my grandfather's instructions.

I repeated the whole process, feeling out of depth as to why he was making me drink. My cup was filled two more times and drank dutifully even when it felt as if my throat was in shreds.

Grandfather grinned, a satisfied look on his face as he waved the server away. Did he think I'd had enough? I held his gaze, filled up my glass to the brim, and drank it down all in a go, the burn, was a familiar feeling.

His sudden hissed laughter was a surprise, but his eyes did not