The Witch's Goodbye by AK Mulford

Author:AK Mulford [Mulford, A.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter

Seven

The sun should’ve been high in the sky, but a thick layer of storm clouds blotted out its golden rays. By the time Carys returned to Hilgaard castle, stumbling on drunken legs, the sky was a dark brooding gray streaked with flashes of lightning. A maid ran out, steadying her by the elbows and guiding her to sit on a garden bench just outside the front gates.

“Lady Carys, are you unwell?”

Carys wrenched her elbows away. “I am very well, Grace. Better than I’ve ever been,” she muttered bitterly.

“You must come inside, My Lady,” Grace said. “A storm’s coming.”

“That it is,” Carys said with a smirk. She glared with bleary eyes up at the middle-aged maid. “How many staff still reside in the castle, Grace?” She’d fired so many over the last few months she had no clue how many remained.

“Only seven, My Lady,” Grace said, her throat bobbing with nerves. “Are you planning to excuse more? Is it . . . is it time?”

She hated the way Grace didn’t just ask if her father was dead, as if the question itself was too indelicate. Carys had already worked out a contingency plan with her staff in the event of her father’s death. The members of the household had already been paid a hefty sum to keep her father’s secret and had been instructed that they would find future employ at the castle in Saxbridge or in Arboa. Neelo Emberspear, despite being young in years, was the true brains behind the running of Saxbridge, and they had promised positions to everyone Carys had let go. So had Ersan, but Carys wasn’t about to take him up on that offer now. Carys had planned on moving to Arboa and marrying Ersan once her father died, using Hilgaard Castle as a holiday home . . . but Grace didn’t need to know of her change of plans.

“My Lady, is it time?” Grace asked again.

Carys hated the way she asked it, so timid, so fearful of Carys’s power. It shouldn’t be that way. Carys was still a girl in so many ways, and yet she was inheriting all of this power. And she knew for certain then that she deserved none of it. That nagging feeling that had been building and building within her finally pulled to the forefront of her mind. Staying in this life, being Lady Hilgaard, pretending she was worthy of it until time and practice made her believe she deserved every ounce . . . it would kill her.

“I’m sorry, Grace, it’s time,” Carys said, feigning lament. “Saxbridge will be better for you anyway. More shops and food and festivals than you’d find all the way out here. Your family is there, aren’t they?” Despite Grace practically raising Carys, she couldn’t seem to remember. There’s wasn’t a fond relationship like that of Neelo and Rish though. Carys was a job to Grace, and even though she was kind-hearted, there was no real love there.

Grace clenched a hand to her chest.

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