Spellbinder by K. C. Herbel

Author:K. C. Herbel [Herbel, K. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781944314255
Publisher: Epic Books Press
Published: 2018-08-28T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Guilt and Love

Ergyfel leaned against the balustrade of his balcony, staring over the high walls of Castle Orgulous at the hills and woods that surrounded Loch Nyraval. The setting sun surrendered the land to lengthening shadows. The world slid out of focus as he became lost to a thought: How can I rid myself of this guilt?

“My lord?”

Maeven’s voice brought him back to his senses. Until recently, her voice had brought pleasure, but now it stung like a lash. He tried to ignore her, but she whipped him again. His body became rigid as he fought to resist her call. He closed his eyes, attempting to meditate her away.

All at once, her hand was on his arm. His defenses came crashing down, and her implacable voice entered his mind like a battering ram.

“My king,” she whispered. “At last, I have found you.”

Her arm encircled his as she brought her body up against him. He breathed in her perfume and felt the warmth of her hand on his. He wanted to melt away from her touch and merge with the cold stone balustrade beneath his fingers: anything not to look at her, not to look into her face and see Caenne. In the end, her warmth won out.

He turned his face towards her. “You were looking for me?”

For an instant, he saw Caenne standing next to him with her lifeless hand on his. A chill ran up his spine.

“Yes, my love.”

Maeven’s words jerked Ergyfel back from the unholy fabrication of his mind. He inhaled sharply.

“What’s wrong, my love?”

He pulled his hand away and rubbed his forehead.

“It’s nothing. I’m only tired.”

“My lord. Since you used your powers to search for Caenne, you have not been yourself.”

“I’m tired.”

“No, my good lord. It is more.”

Ergyfel looked at her, his eyes searching for any sign that she knew of his crime. “What more?”

“My lord, you are brooding too much of late. You eat little, and you seem ...”

“Preoccupied?”

“Melancholy.”

“What of it? I have a lot on my mind.”

“As always, my lord. But now, you seem to be avoiding me. You no longer show any desire for my affections.”

Though she dared much in speaking this way to her king, she knew not to make eye contact. Nevertheless, Ergyfel turned away again.

After a pause, she spoke, “I believe I know what has happened. You are no longer in love with me.”

Ergyfel spun round to protest her remark. “I ...” He raised his finger, pursed his lips, then closed his eyes and retracted his finger, making a fist.

“Is there someone else?”

Ergyfel’s eyes snapped open. Someone had come between them.

Caenne has come between us.

He reached for Maeven, then strode from the room without a word, leaving her alone with her tears.

*

As Maeven sobbed, she leaned over the balustrade, and her tears fell to the ward far below. She pulled herself back from the edge with a sniff. At that moment, on the stones below, Ergyfel walked through the inner ward. He pulled his cloak around him and brushed off all servants and guards that approached.

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