《Blighted Throne : The Heron》


 Prologue

    The ambush was successful. Men turned into animals as they ravaged each other. There was no mercy, no chance for escape as knives cut through the throats of sleeping soldiers and stabbed the hearts of those who roused.


    Whispers of warning danced across the battlefield, that their victory wasn¡¯t as assured as they¡¯d believed. There¡¯d been a deadly miscommunication, thrusting men straight into the belly of the beast.


    The fight crashed to a halt as glowing eyes of molten gold emerged from the darkness. The air froze, the tension thick enough to choke on.


    Some men tried to run, but there was no escape. Some men cried and pleaded to live, but there was no mercy.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    There was only death.


    The air crackled with electricity as he walked, grass withered and died with every step. The Crow absorbed Essence and destroyed it with just a thought. Men became husks with just a flick of his gaze, their very souls sucked from their bodies.


    Beside him walked his Dove. Hair as white as fallen snow and eyes of silver. He was the same; ruthless, unrelenting. He moved like a machine, the mask obscuring his features glowing red against the fires burning through their encampment.


    Men- resistance fighters, acting only on orders- stood petrified, frozen still by an unspoken hex. Golden eyes trailed through them, studying their fear.


    Without a single word being spoken, he raised his chin and half the men fell, their skin turning to leather as every drop of life was sucked away.

 Chapter 1

    The ballroom was stifling. The overwhelming scent of perfume lingered thickly in the air, mingling with the sharp tang of sweat as couples twirled across the marble floor. Madelynn Hawtrey stood to the side of the dance floor, watching the glittering parade of nobility with a sharp eye and an even sharper appetite. A small platter of cakes sat unattended on a nearby table, and she took the opportunity to shove another lemon tart into her mouth before anyone noticed.


    The air was alive with an unspoken tension as men and women exchanged false compliments and empty promises- something Madelynn was wholly uninterested in.


    ¡°Lady Madelynn, is it?¡± A deep voice broke through her thoughts, startling her mid-bite. She turned, cheeks still puffed with the evidence of her snack, to find a man standing before her. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in the gilded finery of a high-ranking lord. His features were handsome in a boring, predictable way, and the smile he wore was undoubtedly rehearsed.


    She swallowed hastily, the sweetness catching in her throat. ¡°It is,¡± she choked out, more curtly than she should have.


    The Young Lord chuckled, undeterred by the crumbs littering her cheeks. ¡°I must say, your family¡¯s reputation precedes you. The youngest Hawtrey, finally gracing us with her presence.¡± His tone was smooth, practiced, boastful even as he gave a low greeting bow. But, his eyes flicked over her in a way that made her skin crawl.


    Madelynn raised a brow, brushing crumbs from her gloves. ¡°How fortunate for you,¡± she said flatly, and then, without waiting for a response, turned on her heel and walked away.


    She could feel his bewildered gaze burning into the back of her head, but she didn¡¯t care. Let him think her rude. Let him whisper about her to his equally as insufferable friends. She hadn¡¯t asked to be paraded around like a prize heifer. Her father was trying to sell her off, but he¡¯d have to do it without her cooperation because the Men of Court were nearly as terrible as the Ladies of Court.


    ¡°Madelynn!¡± Her mother¡¯s sharp tone stopped her before she could make her escape entirely. Lady Hawtrey approached, her emerald gown glinting in the light of the chandeliers, and fixed her youngest daughter in place with a disapproving look. ¡°Must you be so difficult?¡±


    Madelynn huffed, crossing her arms. ¡°He¡¯ll survive, Mother!¡± she said with grandeur. ¡°He¡¯s a Lord, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll find some bimbo to enlighten with his presence.¡±


    Lady Hawtrey pinched the bridge of her nose and tapped her foot, clearly agitated. ¡°This isn¡¯t about him. It¡¯s about you and your¡­¡± she motioned to Madelynn, her posture poor and her crumb-ridden face unsightly- ¡°your appearance. The Hawtrey name is an important name, and your actions reflect on all of us.¡±


    Madelynn scrubbed at her cheeks with her white gloves, staining them yellow with the leftover sugar. ¡°If my actions are enough to tarnish an entire family name, then maybe I¡¯m not really the problem here.¡± Madelynn reached for a passing tray of cakes, but her mother slapped her hand away.


    ¡°Madelynn!¡± she bit out, catching her daughter¡¯s hand and pulling her aside, away from the crowd of potential gossipers. ¡°You do not have to enjoy the company of the men who pursue you, but you do have to endure it.¡±


    Madelynn scowled, scoffing as she dropped her voice to avoid drawing any further attention. ¡°For what? So I can be sold off to become some other man¡¯s trophy?¡± She shook her head at the idea, a shiver running up her spine. ¡°I¡¯d rather be rude and die a spinster.¡±


    Her mother¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°You may find this amusing now, but you¡¯ll soon understand the importance of alliances. The world isn¡¯t as kind to women without prospects as you seem to believe.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Mother,¡± Madelynn drawled in a condescending tone. ¡°Do I truly strike you as one who cares much for kindness?¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°You will when you grow old and lose your beauty.¡± She reached out and twirled a piece of Madelynn¡¯s curly black hair around her finger. ¡°Having a husband isn¡¯t a bad thing, it¡¯s security.¡±


    Madelynn huffed out a disbelieving laugh. ¡°Security?¡± she said sarcastically. ¡°Is that what Father told you when he put Irene and Lydia in you before your marriage?¡± She raised her eyebrows in a challenging, but knowing look.


    ¡°Oh, Lord help you.¡± Her mother shook her head, pressing her hand against her forehead. ¡°I want nothing but the happiest life for you, my sweet girl.¡± She pulled Madelynn toward her and wrapped her arms around her in a warm hug. ¡°But you have to understand the ways of the world.¡±


    Madelynn patted her mother on the back, suddenly feeling even more out of her element. ¡°Understood,¡± she said plainly, then stepped out of the hug. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I do believe I see some snacks that need ravished.¡±


    With that, she quickly departed from her mother, fearing an emotional conversation was building between them. She¡¯d rather face that tonight, with a full belly, in the comfort of her own home. She wasn¡¯t even sure who was hosting the festivities of the day, taking place in the royal castle¡¯s great hall. It was her debut as a debutante for the season, but her heart was absolutely not in it. She¡¯d rather be at home, in the solitude of her room, painting or reading or day dreaming or sleeping or dead. Anything other than here.


    She wandered aimlessly around the ballroom, scoping out an easy exit. Her basil colored dress was brimming with uncomfortable things: jewels under her arms, rubbing incessantly, lace down the skirt, which she kept tripping on, and a neckline that threatened to expose her at any moment. This party was quickly becoming more overwhelming than she¡¯d initially prepared for.


    Her eyes landed on an exit, a seemingly endless hallway of opportunity. She swept herself out of the ballroom, her skirts rustling with every step. The air was cooler in the quiet of the corridors, and she inhaled deeply, relieved to be away from the suffocating chatter and scrutiny.


    Her footsteps echoed against the stone floor, and the faint hum of music slowly faded behind her. She walked on and on until the hall came to an end with an open balcony. The cool air of the evening already had the party fading from her mind like a distant memory. She stepped out onto the balcony and let out a sigh that let her shoulders relax.


    ¡°You¡¯re a bit far from the party.¡±


    An unfamiliar voice made Madelynn jump, and she whipped around to find, yet another, man standing before her. She closed her eyes, cursing at him internally. Was she ever going to be able to find some alone time now that she was eligible? ¡°So are you,¡± she replied, her irritation evident in her tone.


    The man smiled, dimples emerging on his cheeks, and leaned against the wall, just outside the opening of the balcony. ¡°Touche. However, I¡¯m not exactly an eligible Lord searching for the favor of a Young Lady.¡± He motioned to himself, and Madelynn realized his uniform. He was a soldier, probably on guard for the night.


    Suddenly, she felt a blush slithering up her throat at the absurdity of her sarcastic retort. ¡°Oh,¡± she said softly, trying to stifle the smile creeping across her lips. ¡°My apologies, I thought you were a Young Man.¡±


    He chuckled at that, looking down at himself. Then his eyes snapped back up to her, his gaze taunting. ¡°You know, I should escort you back to the party. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re all losing their minds looking for you right now.¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Madelynn laughed out, feeling seen for the first time all night under his playful scrutiny. ¡°I¡¯d be less surprised to find them celebrating my unexpected disappearance. Apparently, my appearance is offensive.¡± She held her arms out, showing off the unsightliness her mother was referring to earlier.


    He held up his hands defensively. ¡°I¡¯m not one to comment on appearances, but I can tell by your personality that you¡¯re a real charmer.¡± He cringed, then shot her another one of his dashing smiles.


    Madelynn bit her lip and leaned against the balustrade, resting her chin in her hand. He was handsome, and not in the practiced, polished sort of way. His white-blonde hair was reminiscent of fallen snow and his eyes were a wild blue, nearly silver color. He had the shadow of stubble across his sharp jawline and a smile that was more charming than any Young Lord¡¯s she¡¯d seen that night. His easy, lazy posture was endearing, and the way he looked at her, like he saw her instead of her last name, left her feeling more lovely than any empty comment she could receive.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± the soldier said, standing straight and taking a few steps toward her. ¡°It was lovely to meet you, Lady¡­¡± He drew out the word, and stayed mid-bow as he waited for her response.


    ¡°Madelynn,¡± she said through an unquenchable smile, curtsying at him.


    ¡°Callum,¡± he responded, standing once again. ¡°I hope the rest of your evening is at least a little bit less awful than it was before I graced you with my presence.¡±


    He shot her a playful wink, then turned on his heel and strode down the hall away from her.

 Chapter 2

    Madelynn returned to the great hall, unable to contain her smile as she thought over her conversation with the soldier- Callum. He was charming in all the right ways, and those eyes. She bit her lip, thinking back to the way he¡¯d flicked his gaze to her before he said something devious. That was a man, not one of the little boys who spun on the dancefloor as she entered the ballroom.


    Immediately, all the giddiness drained from her, and she remembered why she¡¯d left in the first place. This was exhausting. The dancing, the loud music, the forced interactions- why couldn¡¯t people just be themselves and fall in love naturally?


    ¡°Where have you been?¡± her mother snapped as soon as she entered the room.


    Madelynn rolled her eyes, the weight for her to find a husband suddenly feeling so much heavier on her shoulders. She scanned the room, knowing she would find no one with the same spark Callum had. In fact, she didn¡¯t see a single man in the room who didn¡¯t make her feel like vomiting. ¡°Even Ladies require a moment¡¯s reprieve, Mother.¡± She shot a pleasant smile up to her mother before departing, finding an empty chair to sit in.


    She watched as couples spun and stepped and spun and stepped, dipped then spun some more. She couldn¡¯t help but feel a ping of jealousy at how happy they all looked, even if it was superficial. Why couldn¡¯t she just enjoy the moment and let a handsome, young, wealthy man sweep her off her feet? Her mother had always taught her that love came first when searching for a match, but that resolve quickly dissipated once her two older sisters married down, and she realized there would be no dowry sprouting from their exchanges of vows.


    Then, it was all on Madelynn to find someone to supply the family with the riches they thought they deserved for creating decent at best looking daughters.


    When a kind looking woman with a tray of wine walked past, Madelynn reached up and plucked one off the tray, downing it immediately. Dammit, she didn¡¯t want the security of a husband or the lonely life of a housewife, she wanted someone who was fun- who wanted her, not just her body or her family¡¯s bloodline.


    Madelynn sighed and sat forward, resting her elbows on her knees. Just then, a young man in a nice suit came to stand next to her.


    ¡°Good evening, Lady Madelynn,¡± he said, bowing low to her. She didn¡¯t look at him. He chuckled awkwardly before continuing. ¡°Are you available for the next dance?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she deadpanned, the irritation in her belly rumbling. She didn¡¯t want to dance, didn¡¯t want to talk, didn¡¯t want to listen to another man ramble on about how great he was or how beautiful she was. She wanted a connection, she wanted-


    Her eyes widened as she watched the men walk through the great doors. There were two of them, the taller of the two with slightly broader shoulders and a slightly cockier walk. He adorned black hair, tousled around as if he¡¯d just finished bathing, and stunningly golden eyes. The other- his white blonde hair now slicked back in a finished, but still oddly out of place look, and his blue eyes as silver as the chalice still in Madelynn¡¯s hand. They walked closely with one another, their heads inclined to speak quietly amongst themselves.


    Maybe her mother was right, maybe she did need the Lord¡¯s help, because as she stood and made her way to the nearest tray of alcohol, she nearly tripped over her gown due to her inability to pull her eyes from him. Callum was beautiful.


    Madelynn picked up another chalice of wine and took a long sip, the bitter taste drawing her attention just a bit.


    A Young Man walked past, and her hand shot out, gripping his wrist. He turned toward her, baffled by her forwardness. But, her attention was elsewhere- definitely not on him. She leaned in closer so she could whisper to him. ¡°Who are those men?¡± she asked, suddenly feeling like her earlier interaction may have not been what it seemed.


    The Young Man frowned a bit, but followed her gaze then let out a deep chuckle. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s Generals Callum Whitlock and Casimir Aldrich. I believe they just got back from a campaign in Korner. There¡¯s¡­¡± Madelynn nodded absentmindedly as he rattled on.


    She¡¯d stopped listening, and just stared- wide eyed- as the men strode through the crowd, men and women parting for them to walk past. They stuck out like titans in a swarm of dwarves. General Callum Whitlock. Madelynn blinked, trying to process the thought, as Callum¡¯s eyes scanned the crowd. Then suddenly, his eyes locked with hers and a slow, deliberate, smirk pulled at one corner of his lips.


    She felt like a bird with clipped wings- stuck in place while the world spun around her. He raised an eyebrow and she quickly dropped the Young Man¡¯s wrist and brought her hand up to offer a small, awkward wave. The smirk on Callum¡¯s face spread into a full smile, dimples and all, and he shook his head at her before turning back to his conversation as if nothing had happened.


    But she continued to stare, unable to tear her gaze away, until the other one- Casimir Aldrich- locked eyes with her. He didn¡¯t smile, didn¡¯t seem to acknowledge her existence at all, aside from the slight squinting of his eyes. His eyes swirled with molten gold, and the intensity of his gaze ripped Madelynn from her trance. The feeling of his eyes on her lingered- a glance that felt heavier than it should have, like he saw more of her than she could. She took a step back and looked down at her glass of wine before downing that one as well. And another.


    She¡¯d never been much of a Lady, anyway.  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    She took a deep breath, resting her palm against her tummy. She¡¯d just bantered back and forth with General Callum Whitlock. She wanted to vomit, she¡¯d never hear the end of this if her mother found out.


    Her head swirled as she made her way back to the chair she¡¯d left and debated sitting back down and letting herself waste away until her mother came and dragged her home. But- no! She was young, she was free. She should enjoy herself while she could!


    Madelynn puffed out her chest, her decision final. Tipsy or not, she was a Young Lady and she couldn¡¯t let General Callum Whitlock occupy her thoughts all night. She¡¯d drive herself mad.


    She took a step forward instead, flattening her dress as well as she could and making herself look as presentable as possible. Perhaps a young Lord would ask her to dance and then she¡¯d have no choice but to drag her mind away from General Callum-


    ¡°It¡¯s a wonderful evening, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Her thoughts were promptly interrupted by a Young Lord. His hair was combed back neatly, minus a hair or two that had gone astray, likely from all the stepping and spinning he¡¯d done, and his two front teeth stuck out past his bottom lip. Madelynn blinked at him. ¡°No, it is not,¡± she said, but grabbed his outstretched hand as he dipped into a bow. ¡°But it couldn¡¯t possibly get any worse, right?¡± she called, a bit too loud, as she dragged him into the middle of the dance floor.


    He smiled, or grimaced, depending on the circumstances, but Madelynn promptly decided that he would be a great distraction from her impending thoughts of doom and General Callum Whitlock. She shook her head, waiting for the next song to start.


    Then, just as an awkward silence was falling over the two of them, an upbeat tune started, the band prancing around on stage as they strummed their sitars and trumpeted their flutes.


    Madelynn knew the dances, technically, but she never understood how everyone knew which dance was for which song or how they set the pace, so she just lazily followed her partner¡¯s steps as he chose to ramble on about his hunting exploits and the breeding lineage of his prized stallion. Madelynn found that it was easier to ignore him if she stared at the large mole in the center of his cheek.


    He asked her questions but didn¡¯t wait for responses, not that she would¡¯ve given them anyway. She just smiled tightly, tighter with every word he chose to subject her to. Finally, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore, she sighed loudly and looked away from him as they continued to step and spin, and her eyes immediately landed on Callum. She wasn¡¯t looking for him, he just happened to be where her eyes landed.


    He was leaning against the wall, a mug of ale in his hand, as Casimir spoke in his ear. Callum¡¯s eyes were already on her when hers locked on him. Had he been watching her? She could feel herself flushing, and he raised an eyebrow, that same cocky, knowing smirk gracing his lips. He motioned toward her, her dance partner, then himself, and made a face before rolling his eyes playfully.


    She bit back a laugh at the idea of him on the dancefloor with her. It would be heaven compared to¡­ whatever she was subjecting herself to now. Her dance partner noticed her laugh and stopped talking for just a moment, just long enough for him to fumble his step, knocking his shoe against Madelynn¡¯s shin.


    She groaned and doubled over slightly against the pain, shooting him a hateful glare. ¡°Really?¡± she whispered tersely. He just shrugged at her and she furrowed her brow, scowling at him. ¡°I danced through multiple different renditions of how stupendously joyful you were when your horse was born, but you can¡¯t keep your composure over a giggle?¡±


    The song ended and she dropped his hand, taking a step back. ¡°I¡¯m sure your horse finds you very interesting, My Lord, but I must depart from you now as, unfortunately, I do not share the same sentiment.¡±


    She turned away from him and stomped back to her abandoned chair, letting herself fall back into it before rubbing her sore shin. What a complete blockhead.


    She shook her head, trying to regain her composure, but when she scanned the crowd again, she found Callum completely invested in his conversation once again. Of course he was. He wasn¡¯t there for her, and there was no reason for her belly to be churning at his distinct lack of attention toward her, but she could still feel the dread spreading through her body anyway.


    Lord, she was drunk. She realized she needed to leave- only partly because of the drunkenness- but because she just didn¡¯t belong in this world. Her poorly constructed facade was failing, and she could feel the sting of tears behind her eyes as she realized that her happiness would never be quite as happy as the young couples around her. She really was drunk.


    Honestly, was there something wrong with her? Was she such a misfit for just wanting something different? There was no chance every single other girl here wanted exactly the same thing, right? Even General Callum Whitlock, as much as he stood out, still belonged. It wasn¡¯t fair how easily he seemed to belong, while she just fumbled through every interaction like a jester at the wrong court.


    She pushed herself to stand, then swayed a bit, and placed a hand against her forehead. The exit was only a few strides away, but even those short steps felt like a mountain¡¯s climb as she stumbled through the crowd. They didn¡¯t part for her. She wasn¡¯t anything special, was she? It was foolish to think someone like Callum¡ªso important, so confident¡ªmight be interested in a third daughter of a semi-important family that barely cared for her.


    As she finally exited the room, she felt like she could breathe again. She turned and took in the view one last time. Next time, she decided, she would try harder to just be normal.


    Be normal and stop over thinking things. Those were the instructions she repeated to herself as she finally turned toward the exit. Her gaze snagged on Callum one last time. His eyes caught hers, just for a moment, before she looked away. She didn¡¯t acknowledge him. She couldn¡¯t. Not now, not with everything spinning out of her grasp.


    She found her mother¡¯s handmaiden, Miriam, just outside, waiting by the carriage where they had left her.


    ¡°Tell my mother I¡¯m going home,¡± she mumbled out at the older woman, scrubbing a hand over her face. ¡°I¡¯m ill.¡±


    She didn¡¯t wait for the, likely slightly degrading, response before stepping into her carriage. Her own handmaiden, Elise, was across from her in a second, a bottle of water in her hand. She offered it silently to Madelynn and she accepted it gratefully.


    ¡°Ill?¡± Elise questioned, raising her eyebrows suspiciously.


    Madelynn couldn¡¯t suppress the smile that overwhelmed her at the stupidity of her decisions for the night. ¡°Too much cake and too much wine, Elise. Just¡­ too much of everything tonight.¡±


    Elise sighed, nodding knowingly, with maybe a touch of disappointment.


    Madelynn handed the water back to her and let her head slump against the hard wooden wall of the cabin. The ride to Daam- her hometown- was long, an hour at least. She had time to sleep and not reflect on her actions. Tomorrow, she¡¯d try again¡ªto be normal, to belong. Tonight, though, she¡¯d let herself disappear.

 Chapter 3

    The world was suffocating, bearing down on Madelynn as if it had a personal vendetta against her. Her head pounded with the intensity of a large rock. She was, without a doubt, extremely hungover. Just opening her eyes felt like a chore, and doing so sent a jolt through her brain as the lights were just far too bright.


    ¡°Madelynn!¡± her mother yelled sharply from somewhere downstairs. Madelynn could vomit. It was far too early for shouting, especially in her mother¡¯s shrill voice.


    Madelynn didn¡¯t respond, but instead rolled onto her side, where she stumbled off the bed and onto the floor. Her knees collided with the hard floor and she let out a groan as pain shot all the way from her knees to her eyes. ¡°Elise!¡± she shouted, craning her head back and furrowing her brows against the lights. ¡°I require your assistance!¡± When Elise didn¡¯t immediately respond, she added, ¡°Promptly!¡±


    It wasn¡¯t long until Elise¡¯s footsteps pattered up the hall. Two short knocks at the door later, and she was standing in Madelynn¡¯s doorway with a sly smirk on her face.


    ¡°Oh, spare me from your degradation,¡± Madelynn groaned, still on her knees leaning against the side of the bed. She was still in her gown from last night, the corset digging painfully into her ribs. ¡°I¡¯m horribly ill. Will you please fetch me a healer?¡±


    Elise didn¡¯t move, just stared down at Madelynn with eyes that knew more than they should. ¡°I heard a rumor about you,¡± she chirped out, her smile widening.


    ¡°Can you wait to spill all the raunchy details until my head is no longer pounding with the force of a dozen elephants?¡± Madelynn tried to leverage her weight onto her hands, trying to push herself to stand, but she couldn¡¯t muster the strength. Maybe the floor wasn¡¯t such a bad resting place, after all.


    ¡°Always so dramatic.¡± Elise¡¯s voice had dropped the sarcastic wit, but she still shook her head and rolled her eyes as she took a few steps toward Madelynn. ¡°But-¡± she twiddled her thumbs in front of her apron, suddenly tentative about something Madelynn couldn¡¯t place- ¡°I¡¯ve been practicing channeling my Essence. Would it be alright if I tried something?¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯ll get rid of this blasted headache, you can do to me whatever you¡¯d like.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Elise bunched her hands into fists as she trotted over to where Madelynn slumped, and kneeled down next to her. ¡°Miriam has been teaching me different techniques to counter different ailments. She says I¡¯ve got a real knack for it.¡± She lifted Madelynn¡¯s face with gentle hands and stared into her eyes with a furious intensity that left Madelynn questioning her decision to let her experiment on her. ¡°Okay, close your eyes. And please don¡¯t make fun of my pronunciation, I wasn¡¯t brought up on this stuff.¡±


    ¡°Okay, fine!¡± Madelynn snapped, letting her eyes fall shut. ¡°I won¡¯t say anything as long as you don¡¯t leave me permanently disfigured.¡±


    Elise chuckled, but slid her hand against Madelynn¡¯s cheek. ¡°Hydratis Doloris,¡± she whispered, her voice soft but firm, as though she were commanding the words to obey her.


    Madelynn felt it instantly. A vibration, faint at first, hummed through Elise¡¯s palm where it touched her face. It was comforting and warm, like a blanket draped over her misery. Elise¡¯s Essence was vibrant and bright as it surged through her head, tinged with a nervous excitement that was, undoubtedly, Elise. And then, her headache was gone- as if nothing had happened.


    Elise withdrew her hand, but her Essence lingered, swirling around in Madelynn¡¯s head as it patched and prodded any remaining soreness.


    Madelynn opened her eyes to see Elise smiling giddily at her. ¡°Did it work? I think it worked!¡± She stood, clapping her hands in front of her as she smiled goofily. ¡°Are you okay? How do you feel?¡±


    Madelynn raised her eyebrows and looked around the room, searching for the brightest light to stare into. ¡°I feel fine,¡± she said, surprised at Elise¡¯s ability. ¡°Better than fine, actually.¡± She pushed herself to stand and flexed her hands, wiggled her toes, and stretched her back. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you saved my life.¡±


    Elise breathed out a nervous chuckle. ¡°I don¡¯t think I saved your life, but definitely your morning.¡±


    Madelynn clapped the smaller girl on the shoulder and shook her head. ¡°No, you definitely saved my life, Elise.¡± She stepped around her to her wardrobe, her eyes scanning the uncomfortable dresses that hung there. ¡°Do I have anything to do today?¡±


    ¡°No, but-¡± Elise bit her lip, suddenly nervous once again- ¡°Lady Hawtrey is in quite a fuss this morning.¡±


    Madelynn scoffed, pushing a poofy, ruby rose dress out of the way, pulling on a thinner, paler day gown. ¡°When is she not in a fuss?¡±


    ¡°Maddie, I¡¯m being serious.¡±


    Madelynn dropped her grip on the dress and turned around to cross her arms at Elise. ¡°Why? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Elise grimaced, pulling her lips away from her teeth as she took a deep breath, as if she was about to ruin Madelynn¡¯s life with a single sentence. ¡°After you left the ball early last night, apparently some of the Young Lords were carrying on about you being awfully rude. And drunk.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡± Madelynn drew out, waiting for her to get to a point, if there even was one. ¡°I¡¯m always rude. The drunkenness just potentially made my words more¡­ potent.¡±


    ¡°No, it- it¡¯s not about that. When your mother tried to shut the rumors down, word got to her that you¡¯d been spotted with a General, alone, on a balcony outside the party. She¡¯s nervous you¡¯ve gotten yourself involved in a scandal. On your first day eligible.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s eyes shot wide. Shit. She had been alone, on the balcony, with a General, on her first day eligible. She brought up a hand to scrub her eyes. ¡°Shit,¡± she muttered, feeling her stomach churn with nervousness about the impending conversation with her parents. ¡°Okay, yes. I was on the balcony, and there was a General near the balcony. But, we didn¡¯t go there together and we only spoke for a moment, and¡­ And nothing! There was nothing scandalous about it.¡±


    Elise frowned, but the humor was evident in her eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t have to explain anything to me, Maddie, I believe you.¡±


    Madelynn balked at her. ¡°You do not!¡± She gasped, feigning hurt. ¡°I¡¯m appalled by your disregard of my feelings, Elise.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Elise laughed out, moving past Madelynn to pluck the pink dress she¡¯d been eyeing from the hook. ¡°Save your dramatics for your mother. Let¡¯s get you dressed so you can get something besides lemon tarts in your belly.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Madelynn lurched at the memory of the endless snacks. ¡°Don¡¯t remind me.¡±


    Elise helped Madelynn out of the frivolous gown from last night¡¯s event, and dressed her in the modest, light dress for the day.


    ¡°Are they really so upset?¡± Madelynn asked as Elise tied her hair back into a bun, not erasing the disheveled, exhausted look- but hiding it enough to make her presentable.


    ¡°Your mother¡¯s been pacing all morning and your father¡¯s been reading the same article of the newspaper. I think it¡¯s pretty bad.¡± Elise stepped back to admire her work, then sighed, her shoulders slumping. ¡°Was it truly innocent? Your time with the General?¡±


    Madelynn smiled as she recalled the memory. It was a fleeting moment, such a short span of time in such a long evening, but Callum¡¯s easy smile and wild eyes stuck in her mind like a dab of sugar amongst a sea of tar. ¡°It was amazing.¡± She bit her lip as her mind wandered. ¡°We just talked, and it wasn¡¯t even for long, but it was like he saw me, Elise. Not my name or my wealth or even my beauty. He just saw me.¡±


    Elise smiled softly, and swept a strand of hair from Madelynn¡¯s face, tucking it behind her ear. ¡°Then maybe he¡¯s someone worth fighting for.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s smile broadened as she smacked away Elise¡¯s hand playfully. ¡°Now who¡¯s the dramatic one?¡± she laughed out, standing up and clutching her heart. ¡°One night of him occupying my thoughts doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m in love with the man. I simply enjoyed his company while it lasted.¡±


    Elise wrapped her arms around herself and spun in a circle, her aproned dress poofing out like a ballgown. ¡°Doesn¡¯t every Young Lady dream of finding true love someday? I know I do.¡±


    Madelynn shook her head, watching Elise dance around the room in some romance- driven haze. ¡°Of course, but I also have to be realistic. I¡¯m not a young debutante. What would a General be interested in me for? I¡¯m not prized pickings as my father would put it.¡±


    Elise stopped spinning to stare intensely in Madelynn¡¯s eyes. ¡°True love knows no bounds,¡± she said softly, closing her eyes and drifting off to some far-off place.


    ¡°Yeah, okay.¡± Madelynn grabbed her shoulder as she walked past her toward the door. ¡°I¡¯ll believe it when I see it.¡±


    She left Elise alone to her daydreams as she exited her room and made her way down the hallway toward the stairs. The Hawtrey Estate had been her home her whole life. It was a sprawling villa, decorated with ancient statues and expensive vases. Anything to show off their equally as sprawling wealth, per the request of Lady Hawtrey. Madelynn thought it was exhausting. The only room in the entire house that wasn¡¯t occupied by the flamboyance of delicate art and looming statues was her room. Everything else felt like a museum, lifeless and untouchable.


    She could hear the clinking of silverware and food being served as she descended the stairs. Her parents were, undoubtedly, going to completely rip her apart. She could feel her nerves in her belly as she neared the dining room, where her parents were waiting.


    Her mother sat, tense as one of the statues in the corner, as she sipped on a glass of tea. Her father clenched his jaw and tapped his foot as he read the newspaper, ignoring the servants working around him.


    Madelynn took a deep breath before entering the room, likely her last breath as a free woman, and stepped through the doorway.


    Neither of her parents looked at her as she entered, or as she loudly pulled a chair from the table, taking a seat across from her father. ¡°Morning,¡± she said tentatively as food appeared on her plate. She smiled at the kind-eyed server as she departed from the table, leaving Madelynn alone with her parents once again.


    Her mother was the first one to look up at her, setting her tea down on the table in front of her. ¡°Madelynn,¡± she started, her voice as tense as her back. ¡°What is this I hear of you sneaking off with some soldier last night?¡±


    Madelynn opened her mouth to fire back a quick retort, but her father interrupted her, slamming the newspaper down against the table. His deep, brown eyes were alight with a fire she¡¯d never seen before. Not even when Irene and Lydia announced, on the same day, that they were to marry lowly men.


    ¡°You disrespected our entire family with your actions. Bringing shame upon yourself brings shame to all of us,¡± he said calmly. His tone was soft, lacking the anger burning in his eyes. It was terrifying.


    Madelynn sighed, rolling her head around on her shoulders. ¡°I didn¡¯t sneak off with a soldier,¡± she said, enunciating the words in a mocking tone. ¡°I stepped out to take a breath, and he happened upon me while I was standing out on the balcony.¡±


    ¡°And so?¡± her mother questioned, thumbing her fingers on the table. ¡°Did you excuse yourself when you noticed his presence?¡±


    ¡°Well, no. I stayed and spoke with him for a moment. But that was it, we just spoke. I don¡¯t see the scandal in that.¡±


    ¡°The scandal!¡± her father bellowed, staring up at the ceiling. His jaw tightened as his eyes searched for something Madelynn couldn¡¯t see. ¡°The scandal is that you¡¯re a Young Lady spending time, alone, with a General. One with a reputation that is anything but desirable.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even know he was a soldier when I first saw him!¡± Madelynn shouted back, her nerves quickly turning to anger as her parents nagged her. ¡°And I definitely didn¡¯t know he was a General. Not until he walked into the ballroom later.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what you knew, Madelynn,¡± her father continued, his voice booming through the room like a thunder storm. ¡°What matters is that it happened. And, on top of that, you were drunk. And, apparently, completely dismissive to the Young Lords who approached you. Do you know what kind of reputation you¡¯re setting for yourself?¡±


    ¡°Not just dismissive,¡± her mother butted in. ¡°She was rude, ruthlessly so. I witnessed that myself.¡±


    ¡°I was rude because they were insufferable! And I was drunk also because they were insufferable. How am I expected to sit and smile while I¡¯m being presented like a trophy for the highest bidder? You were both aware I didn¡¯t want to debut this season, and now I¡¯m being punished for a choice that wasn¡¯t mine.¡±


    ¡°No, you¡¯re being punished because you keep making increasingly terrible decisions,¡± her mother said, her eyes softening as she spoke. ¡°You cannot parade yourself around with the self-importance you apparently possess. It¡¯s unbecoming, and you will draw the wrong kind of attention.¡±


    ¡°As opposed to¡­ what exactly?¡± Madelynn retorted, scoffing. ¡°Is the attention I receive now supposed to be appealing? I had one single interaction with someone who seemed actually, genuinely interested in listening to what I had to say, and I might as well be the devil for saying that I enjoyed it!¡±


    ¡°That is enough!¡± Her father stood, planting his hands on the table bowing his head in frustration. ¡°General Whitlock is known for being a cruel and ruthless executioner. He¡¯s not good company, and you will not see him again.¡±


    Madelynn stared up at him, and she could feel her heart beating behind his eyes as her anger reached a boiling point. ¡°I¡¯m not some pawn you can trade for a dowry, Father! It¡¯s not my fault Irene and Lydia married men with no wealth. But it will be my fault if I marry into a life of misery. If General Whitlock chooses to call on me, which I don¡¯t see happening anyway, I will not refuse the offer.¡±


    Her father¡¯s nostrils flared as he stared down at her. ¡°You will-¡±


    The door from the servants¡¯ kitchen flung open, banging loudly against the wall. All eyes were on Elise as she scrambled into the room. ¡°Lady Madelynn!¡± she called, breathing frantically, a piece of folded parchment in her hand. ¡°A letter! With the royal seal!¡±


    Madelynn gasped, standing to reach for the paper, but her father was quicker. He plucked the paper from Elise¡¯s hand and tore it open. Madelynn watched with discontentment as his eyes scanned the note. ¡°Does privacy mean nothing anymore?¡±


    He didn¡¯t respond, rubbing his bearded chin as he read the letter over again. Finally, he set the letter down, his eyes wide with confusion. Madelynn didn¡¯t dare speak, as a single word might fracture the tension hanging over them. ¡°You¡¯ve been invited to the Military Banquet tomorrow evening.¡±


    Madelynn furrowed her brow. She¡¯d been invited to a Military Banquet? She wasn¡¯t important enough to attend something so lavish. She shook her head and stood, dashing over to her father. She scooped up the letter and scanned it.


    Dear Lady Madelynn Hawtrey,


    It is my great honor to invite you to the formal Banquet, celebrating the Malyrian¡¯s great Military triumph in its campaign in Korner. The night¡¯s events will include dinner, a victory ceremony, and a dance. The Banquet will take place on the evening of tomorrow, in the courtyard of the Royal Castle.


    Your grace and poise at the last eve¡¯s ball left an impression I would be remiss to ignore, and I believe your attendance will lend the occasion an air of distinction.


    I hope this letter finds you well, and I look forward to your acceptance. You bare a unique potential, and I am confident you will enjoy the company as well as I will enjoy yours.


    Yours Sincerely,


    General Casimir Aldrich

 Chapter 4

    General Casimir Aldrich. Madelynn dropped the letter, feeling numb. Was this some sort of joke? Had she honestly been so interesting in that single glance they¡¯d shared? Why was he inviting her to such a formal gathering? Why was he inviting her anywhere? What grace and poise was he referring to? They hadn¡¯t even come close to speaking at the ball.


    ¡°Casimir Aldrich.¡± Her father broke the silence, his eyes scanning the letter once again. ¡°I know that name well. A great General, renowned for his triumphs in battle. And, he¡¯s a talker. The man¡¯s a splendid politician and soldier.¡±


    Madelynn could feel her cheeks warming with a blush. This was absolutely not what she expected, and even more so not what she wanted. Why couldn¡¯t General Callum Whitlock have invited her instead? Even that would be a stretch, given their limited time together. This whole thing- it was just too much. Madelynn took a step back, feeling confused and embarrassed. ¡°I don¡¯t-¡± She shook her head, trying to piece together her thoughts. ¡°I didn¡¯t even talk to the man. I don¡¯t understand why he-¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter why, Darling!¡± Lady Hawtrey rose from her seat and strode around the table to take Madelynn¡¯s hands in hers. ¡°What matters is that he noticed you. The Aldrich name is powerful, a long line of pure blooded Bearers.¡±


    Madelynn frowned, pulling her hands away from her mother. ¡°I don¡¯t care about that! I just don¡¯t understand why- we didn¡¯t even speak! We barely exchanged a glance. He walked in with Callum and- and¡­¡± Her breathing was growing ragged, and she placed her palm against her chest in an attempt to slow her heart rate. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Men are complicated creatures,¡± her mother spoke, her voice soft and smooth, as if her words were meant to sooth Madelynn. ¡°But this is wonderful news. It means your reputation isn¡¯t completely tarnished. You still have options, and an Aldrich is far from a bad choice.¡±


    ¡°What is wrong with you?¡± Madelynn shouted, feeling overwhelmed and out of place in her own home. ¡°I have no interest in Casimir Aldrich- his company nor his last name.¡±


    ¡°But you do in this¡­ Whitlow?¡± Her father questioned, turning in his seat to study her.


    ¡°Whitlock!¡± Madelynn corrected, stomping her foot in frustration. ¡°And no! I¡¯m not interested in a marriage with him, I simply enjoyed his company. Can you please stop acting like it¡¯s obscene that I could just have a pleasant conversation without the backdrop of marriage and politics?¡±


    ¡°Everything is about marriage and politics.¡± Her father stood, brushing nonexistent crumbs from his coat. ¡°It¡¯s settled. You and your mother will attend the banquet tomorrow. And you will put on a pretty face and a pleasant personality, and pray that the General finds your company as endearing as he let on.¡± He pushed a finger into the letter, before making his exit.


    Madelynn watched him go, wishing she could scream or cry or tear her own skin off. She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was incredibly wrong, just in the wording of the letter. You bare a unique potential. What was that supposed to mean? Madelynn was as unique as every other Young Lady at the ball- meaning not at all. She didn¡¯t go out of her way to make herself presentable for him. In fact, she purposefully avoided his fiery gaze.  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°He¡¯s just tough on you because he loves you.¡± Her mother interrupted her thoughts with pitiful words and an even more pitiful smile.


    ¡°Save your lies for tomorrow night.¡± Madelynn pushed past her mother and Elise, following her father¡¯s swift exit. Once she reached the stairs, she hiked up her skirt and sprinted, making her way to her room as quickly as possible.


    This couldn¡¯t be happening. She did everything in her power to not draw attention. She¡¯d turned down Young Lords simply because their voices were a strange pitch, she wasn¡¯t exactly trying to make herself desirable. She hadn¡¯t tried to make herself desirable for Callum either, and he hadn¡¯t for her. They were simply two humans existing. Not lying, not promising, not debating, just a playful exchange that meant nothing and yet meant everything.


    She collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in the plush, white pillow. Why was it so hard for her parents to understand that she didn¡¯t want this. She didn¡¯t want marriage proposals or callers, or letters that all but demanded her presence. She just wanted to be normal, to exist amongst peers who didn¡¯t judge her based on her family¡¯s standing or the way her tongue sometimes moved without her mind¡¯s approval. She just wanted to be Madelynn.


    Day turned to night as Madelynn laid still, staring at the ceiling. Elise brought her lunch, and mentioned something about marriage prospects, but Madelynn had no energy to listen or respond. Then, as the sun set, she brought dinner and the promise of a bath filled with lavender oil for Madelynn¡¯s nerves.


    Madelynn opted to skip dinner and head straight for the bath. The water rippled as Madelynn sank into the tub, her arms resting along the edges as steam curled around her face. The faint scent of lavender hung in the air, though it was doing a poor job of calming the knot in her belly. Elise moved quietly around the room, gathering towels and oils, her soft humming the only sound apart from the occasional drip of water.


    ¡°So,¡± Elise finally said, breaking the silence, ¡°you¡¯ve spent all day moping. Care to share your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Madelynn deadpanned, staring straight ahead at an ancient painting of a long-dead relative. He had a long, white beard and a bald head; and deep brown eyes that resembled her father¡¯s. The scowl resembled his as well.


    ¡°Oh come on,¡± Elise prodded, placing a towel on the edge of the tub. ¡°You¡¯re obviously nervous about the Banquet tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Nervous?¡± Madelynn tried to hide behind her sarcasm, but the shaking of her voice betrayed her. She sighed, sliding further down into the bathwater until just her knees and head poked out. ¡°I believe a better word is terrified.¡±


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s talk about it.¡± Elise smiled, a little too excited given the circumstances, and wiped her hands on her dress. ¡°What¡¯s so terrifying about being invited to one of the most prestigious events of the season?¡±


    Madelynn exhaled into the water, watching as bubbles rose to the surface and vanished. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. And I can¡¯t even really explain it either. Just, the way he looked at me at the ball- it was as if he was staring straight through my skin and into my soul.¡± A chill shot down Madelynn¡¯s spine at the memory of his swirling, golden eyes.


    ¡°Maybe it was a look of love?¡± Elise leaned forward to tilt Madelynn¡¯s head back, pouring the warm water down through her hair.


    ¡°No,¡± Madelynn said through a shiver. ¡°It was more like a look of finality. His eyes were so intense, it felt like a death sentence as soon as his gaze locked with mine. He was so- so different from Callum. I can¡¯t understand why he¡¯s interested in my company at all. He doesn¡¯t seem like the type who would enjoy my¡­ enigmaticness.¡±


    Elise poorly stifled a laugh as she filled the water bucket once again. ¡°If you¡¯re enigmatic then I must be the most mysterious woman alive.¡± Madelynn smiled at her, though it didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°Perhaps he was intrigued by your uncanny ability to be so off-putting.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡± Madelynn felt like she was drowning in a sea of expectations, unable to come up for air as long as all the questions hung above her. Why had Casimir become interested in her? Why hadn¡¯t he approached her if she was so intriguing? Why couldn¡¯t she shake the feeling that something terrible was awaiting her at the Banquet?

 Chapter 5

    Madelynn spent the day confined to her chambers, torn between feigning illness, fleeing into the wilderness, or simply hurling herself down the stairs. As the sun rose and fell once again, the decision was taken from her hands when Elise cheerfully announced it was time to begin preparations for the Banquet.


    Reluctantly, Madelynn allowed herself to be dragged toward the vanity, where Elise sat her down and started brushing her curly hair.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think this is a tad bit overdone?¡± she asked as Elise twisted a section of hair into a braid.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a ball, Maddie,¡± she responded, delicately pinning the braid back. ¡°Banquets are meant to be overdone. The King will be there, likely along with The Queen. You¡¯re supposed to put in actual effort to look like a token of beauty.¡± A soft smile spread on her face as she began braiding a section on the opposite side of her head. ¡°Miriam was telling me about when she used to do your mother¡¯s hair for these events, back when she and your father were courting.¡±


    Madelynn couldn¡¯t bring herself to smile, even as her hair was pulled up into a beautiful half-due bun. The style was gorgeous, with the bottom half of her hair cascading down over her left shoulder and face framing pieces left out to tickle her cheeks. But, she didn¡¯t feel beautiful- she felt like an imposter. She folded her hands in her lap to keep from biting at her nails. Her eyes met Elise¡¯s in the mirror as she stroked a few stray hairs into place. ¡°Do you think things will be alright? Tonight- I mean.¡±


    Elise released her hold on Madelynn¡¯s hair and came around to stand in front of her. She bent at the waist and placed her hands on Madelynn¡¯s shoulders, staring her straight in the eyes. ¡°Madelynn Hawtrey, you are an incredibly smart, independent, fire bolt of a Young Lady. I don¡¯t think things will be alright. I know tonight will be amazing because you¡¯re amazing.¡± Madelynn smiled, tears welling in her eyes at the compliment. ¡°General Casimir Aldrich is lucky that you¡¯re even gracing him with your presence, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll make that well known as the night goes on.¡±


    Madelynn bit back tears as she pulled Elise into a tight hug, thankful for a friend in a world that felt endlessly cruel. ¡°Thank you,¡± she choked out, before Elise pushed her back and placed her hands on her hips, looking Madelynn up and down. Even as Elise pulled her upright and began searching through Madelynn¡¯s huge collection of gowns, she couldn¡¯t help but let her mind wander.


    I hope the rest of your evening is at least a little bit less awful than it was before I graced you with my presence, Callum had said as he bid her adieu. ¡°Do you think Callum will be there?¡± she asked softly, gnawing on her thumb nail.


    Elise turned, a huge smile on her face and an even larger gown in her hand. ¡°He¡¯s a General, right? I¡¯m sure he will.¡± She approached Madelynn with the dress, holding it out in front of her. ¡°What do you think? It¡¯s the one we had tailored for the Durnsing¡¯s wedding back in Autumn, but obviously you never had the chance to wear it.¡±


    Madelynn frowned at the memory of Lord Durnsing announcing the wedding had been cancelled, immediately followed by the announcement that Lady Charlotte Tilburge- not his previous bride to be- was expecting his child.


    The dress; however, was stunning. The color, a deep maroon, was out of season, but the style was impeccable. It had a straight neckline, stretched satin pulled down the center with a layer of black lace separating the sleeves and skirt from the bodice. The long sleeves might¡¯ve been out of season as well, but they would save her from having to worry about an overcoat.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this a bit¡­ dramatic?¡± Madelynn asked, standing to brush her finger against the soft fabric.


    ¡°Would they expect anything less from you?¡±


    Madelynn couldn¡¯t stop the smile that spread across her face as Elise prepared her for dressing.


    The gown was even more beautiful on Madelynn than it had been on the hook. The corseted top hugged her waist in the perfect way, while the skirt poofed out wide, adding the drama that was apparently expected of her. Elise added the finishing touches while Madelynn admired herself in the full-length mirror. A black pinched-silk necklace was tied tightly around her throat while black transparent lace gloves were pulled up her wrists. As whole, the look was absolutely fitting for how Madelynn felt- startlingly spectacular while still elegant and refined, with just a hint of lamentation.


    ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± Madelynn said, holding her arms out and spinning.


    Elise clapped her hands together, hopping a bit as she cheered. ¡°You. Look. Marvelous!¡± She came to stand in front of Madelynn once again, pulling a small box from the front pocket of her apron. ¡°Now, all you need is some blusher.¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°For a Banquet?¡± Madelynn questioned, raising her eyebrows as Elise dipped her fingers into the pink powder.


    ¡°If General Whitlock is there, don¡¯t you want to make a lasting impression?¡±


    Madelynn bit her lip, suddenly feeling a tad excited for the occasion. If Callum did end up being there, which seemed likely to Elise, she wanted to be the only one he had eyes for. ¡°Do you think he¡¯ll like it?¡±


    ¡°If he doesn¡¯t then he¡¯s a fool,¡± Elise said with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re going to stand out like a beautiful rose amongst a field of weeds.¡± She brought her hand up and dusted the powder across Madelynn¡¯s cheeks before pulling back to admire her work. ¡°Stunning.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Elise.¡± She pulled her into another hug, then checked herself in the mirror once again. ¡°Do you suppose it¡¯s time I make my appearance?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡±


    Elise offered her arm and Madelynn took it with a grin. They strode down the hallway and down the stairs, until Madelynn could feel that familiar rumbling in her belly. She could already feel her mother¡¯s critical gaze on her before she¡¯d made it all the way down the stairs.


    ¡°Madelynn!¡± her mother squealed, running up to her, her own pale yellow skirt swishing around her feet. ¡°You look¡­¡± She stopped, about three feet away from Madelynn, her eyes going wide, ¡°wonderful, even if the color is a bit unconventional.¡± She turned to Elise. ¡°You did an incredible job on her!¡± she whispered, holding her hand up in front of her mouth, as if that would block Madelynn¡¯s ears.


    Elise was brimming with excitement as Lady Hawtrey took Madelynn¡¯s arm from her. ¡°You¡¯re going to be amazing, Maddie!¡± she shouted after them as they departed from her. ¡°Tell me everything!¡±


    Madelynn turned and shot her a wide smile as they exited through the front door. As they approached the carriage, Madelynn¡¯s father stood waiting for them, his arms crossed in front of them.


    ¡°Gerald,¡± Lady Hawtrey greeted him, offering a shallow curtsey. ¡°Doesn¡¯t she look dashing?¡±


    Lord Hawtrey stared down at Madelynn for a moment, his expression unreadable. His eyes scanned her face, her hair, then the dress, and for just a moment, there was a flicker of something- sadness, maybe- as he took in her appearance. Then, he simply nodded stiffly before departing from them.


    Madelynn¡¯s mother looked down at her and brushed her gloved hand against Madelynn¡¯s cheek with a reassuring smile.


    The pair climbed into the carriage and Madelynn settled uncomfortably into the wooden bench, pulling on her dress as the corset dug into her hips. ¡°Why do these blasted things have to be so uncomfortable?¡± she remarked, then snapped her eyes up to her mother, realizing her slip up.


    But, Lady Hawtrey just smiled giddily, wiggling into her seat as well. ¡°They are quite painful, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    Madelynn let the easy smile spread across her face as her mother picked at her dress, trying to pull it out from under herself. As the carriage departed, it shook as the wheels navigated the uneven gravel.


    ¡°Why is this Banquet so important?¡± Madelynn asked suddenly, kicking her feet nervously. ¡°Elise made it seem like this should be the most important night of my life, but I just don¡¯t see it.¡±


    Her mother pulled up her white gloves as she swayed against the movement of the carriage. ¡°Military Banquets aren¡¯t like balls, or any other party really.¡± Madelynn watched as her mother¡¯s face softened, perhaps lost in a memory of her years of Banquets. ¡°They¡¯re a celebration and, more importantly, an opportunity.¡±


    ¡°An opportunity?¡± Madelynn questioned, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees. ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°There will be incredibly powerful men and women at this event. People that dwarf me and you, and even the General who invited you tonight. The kind of people that make connections and enemies with other countries.¡± She reached out and wrapped her hand around Madelynn¡¯s. ¡°That is why it is so important that you keep your wits about you tonight. I cannot protect you from these sorts of people, and neither can your dear General.¡±


    Madelynn flattened her lips into a thin line, leaning back and pulling her hand from her mother¡¯s. ¡°Why would General Aldrich invite me tonight? I¡¯ve been thinking about it, and I just can¡¯t understand. I know you hate it, but I did have a genuine connection with Call- General Whitlock. Doesn¡¯t that seem a bit¡­¡± Madelynn furrowed her brow, searching for the right word, ¡°suspicious? I mean- I¡¯m assuming they¡¯re friends, the way they walked and talked together. Isn¡¯t it just strange that a man would reach out to someone his friend is interested in?¡±


    Lady Hawtrey pursed her lips, taking a moment to think. ¡°I won¡¯t be dishonest with you, it did strike me as a bit strange when I realized who¡¯d written the letter. However, men are different from women. What might have felt like a genuine connection on your part may have just been a way for him to unwind after a stressful campaign.¡±


    Madelynn frowned, feeling more hurt than she¡¯d imagined she would at the prospect of Callum not feeling the same way she did. She crossed her arms in front of her, suddenly feeling tiny in such a huge world. Was she just delusional the whole time? Did Callum truly harbor no feelings toward her?


    ¡°Oh, Darling.¡± Lady Hawtrey gave Madelynn her signature pitiful look- a slight frown with upturned eyebrows. ¡°Don¡¯t let my words ruin your night. This should be fun for you, a way for you to experience a world outside of our own. So, no matter what comes of the night, just make sure you enjoy yourself, even if it¡¯s not what you thought it would be.¡±


    Madelynn just nodded, staring out the window as the carriage tumbled along the path.


    As the carriage rounded a bend, the grand hall came into view, its stone walls glowing with torchlight. Madelynn¡¯s stomach churned. She¡¯d felt prepared when they¡¯d left, but now she felt like nothing but a little girl playing a part in a dangerous game. The swell of the crowd shuffling in the courtyard had her gnawing on her thumb nail again. And as the carriage came to a halt, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that her whole world was about to be shaken.

 Chapter 6

    They stepped down out of the carriage, and Madelynn slipped her hand through her mother¡¯s arm. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t General Aldrich have met us here?¡± she asked, feeling completely out of her element. The crowd in front of them was sprawling, even from across the field. They weren¡¯t swaying or spinning or buzzing with a charged tension like at the ball. It was calm, filled with chatter, and alight with an instability Madelynn couldn¡¯t place.


    ¡°Not at a Banquet,¡± her mother responded, leaning in close to whisper. ¡°He¡¯ll likely meet you when we¡¯re all seated for dinner. That¡¯s how it was when I was a Young Lady, at least.¡±


    They were nearing the crowd now, and Madelynn could feel the nervous sweat pooling on her upper lip and palms. ¡°You¡¯ll stay with me, right?¡±


    Her mother smiled, tightening her hold on Madelynn¡¯s hand. ¡°Always. As long as you¡¯ll let me, that is.¡±


    Madelynn smiled tightly, but leaned into her mother. She felt like she was going to explode with all the tension in her belly. The crowd looked so¡­ grown. She felt like a toddler amongst such accomplished men and women. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do this,¡± she murmured as they entered the heart of the crowd. A gentle flow of conversation encompassed Madelynn, but it felt like an unbearable force, wrapping around her in a serpent¡¯s grip. Her breathing was growing increasingly ragged and her heart rate was thumping loudly in her ears. Suddenly, her corset was too tight and her shoes were rubbing too much and her dress was wildly inappropriate.


    Men and women passed by her, dressed with elegance and grace, and Madelynn couldn¡¯t help but feel immature and out of place.


    She blinked rapidly, trying to regain her composure as her mother pulled her forward. She was going to faint if she couldn¡¯t control her panic. It was all just too much.


    And then, she saw him.


    His uniform was posh and neat, decorated with badges and ribbons Madelynn didn¡¯t know much about. His hair was neatly pushed back and slicked with gel, and his tight smile showed that he felt uncomfortable amongst the crowd as well. Maybe not as much as she did, but enough that he was the most important person in the crowd to her. His posture was rigid exuding authority, even as he sipped on the drink in his hand.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Madelynn stood on her toes and pulled on her mother¡¯s arm, whispering frantically in her ear. ¡°That¡¯s him. That¡¯s Casimir Aldrich.¡±


    Her mother followed her gaze until she found him. ¡°Oh!¡± She perked up, a look of surprise on her face. ¡°He¡¯s much handsomer than I thought he¡¯d be. The rumors did him no justice.¡±


    Madelynn made a mental note to ask her about the rumors at a later time. ¡°Should I approach him?¡±


    Her mother shook her head, dragging her sideways. ¡°We should find our names before dinner is called. He¡¯ll find us when it¡¯s time. We shouldn¡¯t interrupt any conversations he¡¯s having.¡±


    Madelynn nodded, biting her lip. He wasn¡¯t who she wanted to see, but knowing there was at least a semi-familiar face in the crowd left her feeling a bit calmer.


    They pranced around the crowd for a moment more before they found their names on little plaques at a round table uncomfortably close to the dais. Lady Penelope Hawtrey, Lady Madelynn Hawtrey, and General Casimir Aldrich. Madelynn took her seat and adjusted her dress under her. She turned to scan the crowd, but her mother grabbed her hand, drawing her attention.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stare, it¡¯s unladylike,¡± she said tightly, and Madelynn just nodded, righting her posture.


    ¡°How long until dinner is called?¡± she asked, staring ahead at the empty stage.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Her mother pulled a napkin from the center of the table and draped it over her skirt. ¡°But, Madelynn! He is so handsome. You made it seem like he was unapproachable when you were describing him yesterday.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t see the way he looked at me,¡± Madelynn deadpanned, not liking the way the conversation was headed. ¡°I¡¯ve never been called on before. What am I supposed to talk about? How do I hold a conversation with someone I don¡¯t even know?¡±


    Her mother chuckled, bringing up a hand to cover her mouth. ¡°Ask him questions about his achievements. That always gets these military men talking.¡±


    Madelynn smiled, thinking back to her easy conversation with Callum. It was barely even a conversation, but there had been no expectations, no rules of engagement. She shook her head, her curls bouncing around against her cheeks. This wasn¡¯t the time to be thinking about him. She shouldn¡¯t have been thinking of him at all. And despite everyone else¡¯s certainty, she was almost certain he wasn¡¯t here. Her and her mother had walked the whole perimeter of the crowd and she didn¡¯t catch even a glimpse of his white hair against the backdrop of the crowd.


    Just as Madelynn began wondering if dinner would ever be called, an old, wrinkled gentleman took to the stage and adjusted the microphone to his- small- height. He cleared his throat, drawing the crowd¡¯s attention. ¡°If everyone could take a seat, dinner will be served momentarily.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s stomach lurched. She clamped her eyes shut and tried to steady her breathing. Her mind wandered back to Casimir¡¯s eyes on her, the way she felt violated from just a passing glance. She shouldn¡¯t have agreed to come tonight. She should have just stayed home and accepted her parents¡¯ judgement and Elise¡¯s disappointment and moved on with her life.


    ¡°Good evening, Ladies.¡±


    The voice made her back go rigid. She wanted to disappear. To bury her head in the dirt until the party ended and then run away from society forever. But, as her mother turned and stood to greet him, she scrambled to do the same.


    Golden eyes locked onto hers, and her breath caught. They lacked the predatory intensity of their last meeting, but they were no less piercing. Swirling with flecks of gold and brown, they seemed to see too much, and yet revealed nothing in return.


    ¡°Good evening, Sir,¡± Madelynn greeted, curtseying on unstable feet as she held his gaze.


    Then, he smiled- bright and cheerful, but calculated and distant at the same time- and the chill left her, the air feeling just a bit lighter. A breathy chuckle left his lips and he motioned toward Madelynn¡¯s seat. ¡°You don¡¯t have to stand to greet me.¡± His voice was smooth, disarming, and entirely unexpected. It was the kind of voice that could make her forget, for a moment, the danger lurking just beneath its surface. ¡°I invited you here, after all.¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Madelynn nodded and fell back into her chair. He took the seat next to her, and turned to face her with a kind smile that just seemed off. Tainted, somehow.


    ¡°So,¡± he started, motioning to the open air around him. ¡°How do you find the company? Suffocating, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Madelynn found herself smiling, despite herself and nodded again. ¡°I can¡¯t help but feel I don¡¯t quite belong here.¡±


    His smile broadened as he scanned the crowd. ¡°I¡¯ve been in the military since the day I turned eighteen. That feeling never goes away.¡±


    She laughed stiffly, glancing back toward her mother, who just motioned for Madelynn to ignore her. She turned back to Casimir, whose gaze was still fixed on her.


    Madelynn couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was wrong, even when the conversation seemed to flow easily. Something about the way he set his jaw, the calculated movements of his eyes, even his smile felt practiced. Like he was hiding something.


    ¡°I must apologize,¡± he continued, leaning in closer to speak in a hushed tone, ¡°for not approaching you at the ball. I was coerced into coming by a colleague, and I saw the way you absolutely tore into that young lad and-¡± he chuckled- ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure I could handle the same treatment.¡±


    ¡°Oh gosh.¡± Madelynn felt herself flush, remembering back to the horse boy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to witness that.¡± His colleague. Callum. What if it was all a set up? To try to get Casimir interested in her? Her stomach tightened once again.


    ¡°Oh no, it was incredible,¡± he laughed out. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone¡¯s ego deflate so quickly. However, I also know that if that were me, I probably would¡¯ve broken down right in the middle of the dance floor. I tend to crumble under any sort of degradation.¡±


    ¡°For some reason, I don¡¯t believe that,¡± she responded playfully, and leaned in toward him, despite her intuition screaming at her that this was a bad idea. ¡°I get the feeling you would have thrown it right back in my face. You don¡¯t seem like the type of man that falls silently.¡±


    He looked away from her as he continued chuckling. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite a sense of humor, don¡¯t you? I can¡¯t help but wonder why no man has snatched you up yet.¡±


    Madelynn bit her lip at the compliment, just as her mother had taught her. ¡°It may have something to do with my inclination toward rudeness over diplomacy.¡±


    He bit the inside of his cheek, stifling a smile. ¡°Well, as long as you promise not to injure my pride too much over the course of the evening, I¡¯m sure we can find some mutual ground.¡±


    ¡°Deal,¡± she said, as he reached his hand out toward her. She accepted the offer and wrapped her hand around his.


    Then, plates were placed in front of them, and dinner passed in a haze of forced laughter and calculated smiles. Casimir¡¯s charm was undeniable, but there was something about the way his eyes lingered on her that set her nerves alight. As the plates were cleared again and the awards ceremony was announced, Madelynn felt the weight of the evening settle heavily on her chest. She hadn¡¯t seen him all night, but the nagging feeling that Callum was here clawed at her mind.


    ¡°Do you expect to get many awards tonight, Sir?¡± Madelynn¡¯s mother leaned across the table to talk to Casimir, speaking loudly over the hum of the crowd.


    He furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. ¡°I took a more passive role in this campaign, so I don¡¯t see much recognition coming my way this evening.¡± He leaned back in his chair and folded his hands in his lap. ¡°My colleague, General Whitlow- I believe you met him at the ball, Lady Madelynn- I expect him to receive more than most. He¡¯s quite a formidable soldier.¡±


    Madelynn could feel his eyes on her, even as hers dropped to watch her hands fiddle on the table. So, he was aware of her and Callum¡¯s time together. She felt her mother¡¯s hand on her thigh, and she turned to look at her.


    She smiled at Madelynn, and Madelynn returned the sentiment, hiding her shaking hands in her lap. All she had to do was keep her facade up until the night was over. After all, Casimir wasn¡¯t being outwardly mean or anything of the sort. In fact, the comment was quite innocent, despite the venomous undertones.


    She put on her best smile, turning back to Casimir. ¡°I do believe I had a brief run in with him,¡± she said in a sweet voice. ¡°But, if the decorations you adorn attest to your own proficiency, it would seem that you¡¯re quite the soldier yourself.¡±


    He raised an eyebrow at her, and suddenly she could feel the tension in his gaze. He was testing her, seeing how she would respond to the mention of Callum¡¯s name. ¡°I try not to brag, but yes. I¡¯ve had a relatively outstanding career.¡±


    Finally, Madelynn was playing a game she knew the rules to. ¡°And do you plan on staying with the military for long? Or will you retire once you reach the age?¡±


    Casimir chuckled, his smile tightening. ¡°Well, not to age myself, but retirement is still around ten years out for me even if I decide to take my leave as soon as I can. However, I imagine I¡¯ll be staying in the field beyond that.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I know much about the inner workings of the military, but you rose to the rank of General quite quickly, did you not?¡± She fluttered her eyelashes daintily, watching as he rolled his shoulders.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say I collected promotions any quicker than anyone else.¡± He leaned forward, the smile on his face turning devious. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m quite passionate about my line of work.¡±


    Madelynn furrowed her brow, leaning back again, putting space between them. He was an enigma. He fell somewhere between terrifying and utterly charming, and it left her completely uneasy.


    Thankfully, their conversation was interrupted by a large, muscle bound man as he crossed the stage and scooped up the microphone. ¡°Excuse me everyone,¡± he announced, his tone awkward and uncomfortable. ¡°I¡¯ll begin announcing awards now. When I call your name, just stand for applause. Then, after the dance, you can come and collect what you¡¯ve earned.¡±


    A silence fell across the banquet, and Madelynn straightened in her chair, watching Casimir out of the corner of her eye.


    The man carried on, announcing names Madelynn was unfamiliar with. A man would stand, give a wave, the crowd would cheer, then the next name would be announced. It was an endlessly boring cycle, and Madelynn found herself fighting off slumber.


    ¡°And next, I¡¯ll call on General Callum Whitlock.¡± Madelynn perked up, feeling the blood rushing to her cheeks. She could feel the adrenaline picking up where her lack of sleep left off, pulling sweat into her palms once again. ¡°General Whitlock, if you¡¯re here please stand for recognition.¡±


    Madelynn turned her head, searching the crowd while trying to seem nonchalant to Casimir. There was no chance he didn¡¯t notice her searching efforts; however, given how he¡¯d questioned her on him earlier. She didn¡¯t really care, either. If Callum was here, that was all that mattered.


    Then, white hair flashed at a table on the opposite side of the courtyard. Madelynn¡¯s breath caught in her chest. There he was¡ªGeneral Callum Whitlock¡ªstanding tall amidst the sea of applause, his silver-blue eyes cutting through the crowd until they locked onto hers. And suddenly, the entire evening felt like it had been leading to this single moment.


    ¡°General Whitlock is recognized for¡­¡±


    The sounds of the banquet faded. He didn¡¯t smirk, or raise his eyebrows, or show any sign that he recognized her, but his eyes held hers from that moment until applause filled the crowd. And once he¡¯d sat back down, Madelynn could feel the weight of Casimir¡¯s gaze on her. Her skin crawled as he bore a hole in the side of her head.


    She turned back around, trying to act natural as she folded her hands on the table in front of her.


    ¡°See?¡± Casimir prodded, leaning in to talk in a hushed tone to her and her mother. ¡°I¡¯m sure General Whitlock will be quite decorated, as well, after tonight.¡±


    Madelynn just smiled distantly. The rest of the ceremony dragged on as her mind replayed Callum¡¯s gaze over and over again. He seemed so much colder than the last time she¡¯d spoken to him, almost as if he was a completely different person. She didn¡¯t expect him to stop, mid ceremony, to speak to her, but his eyes were like stones as he¡¯d stared at her.


    Then, as it was announced that the party would be moving into the great hall for the dance portion of the evening, Madelynn pushed herself to stand.


    ¡°Madelynn!¡± Her mother caught her arm in her hand, but Madelynn pulled it free. She couldn¡¯t be here any longer. It was all just too much.

 Chapter 7

    Madelynn hiked her skirt up, brushing through the crowd as she headed straight for the carriages. She didn¡¯t care if she was being rude, or even outright mean or scandalous. Casimir¡¯s prodding, Callum¡¯s eyes, the pressure from her mother - it was like a knife being driven through her belly, and she couldn¡¯t stand it anymore.


    She exited the courtyard and cut through the designated path, not slowing when her shoe sunk into mud or her dress snagged on a vine.


    ¡°Madelynn?¡±


    She froze at the sound of his voice. She turned, slowly, to find him standing at the edge of the courtyard, his chest heaving with each labored breath.


    ¡°Callum?¡± she called back, feeling like an idiot, standing in front of him and still yearning for his attention after leaving the side of another man.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He started toward her, and she hated herself for standing still. She should turn and walk away. Everything about this was wildly inappropriate.


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving.¡± Though she made no movement toward leaving. ¡°I can¡¯t be here anymore.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± He was nearing her now, and she could see the flush of his cheeks, the wild hairs sticking out where the gel failed.


    ¡°I just-¡± she took a deep breath, puffing her cheeks out as she exhaled. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have come here to begin with.¡±


    He was close enough now that she could see the lines of frustration on his face. She couldn¡¯t do this. She would be in enough trouble already- probably locked in her room until she reached the age of spinsterhood- and she couldn¡¯t risk tarnishing her name anymore than it already was. Her parents were willing enough to sell her off to Casimir, she couldn¡¯t stand to think about what they¡¯d do now that he was certainly no longer interested in her.


    Madelynn forced her eyes away from Callum and turned around, taking a step toward the carriages.


    Then his hand appeared around her wrist and she whipped around, finding her eyes locked on his once again. In the gentle light of the moon, his eyes were glowing silver- gentle yet demanding.


    ¡°You can¡¯t run from this,¡± he said sternly, his voice lacking any of the playfulness he¡¯d had at their first meeting. ¡°Casimir is not a man you want to be associated with. He¡¯s cunning and manipulative and-¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°Callum, I don¡¯t care about Casimir,¡± Madelynn interrupted. He was close enough that she had to incline her head to look into his eyes. ¡°This-¡± she motioned behind him, toward the courtyard, where people were slowly filtering into the great hall- ¡°is not my world. I¡¯m not made for politics or cryptic conversations.¡±


    He just stared down at her, his eyes studying her with a feral vigor. ¡°Why did you leave the ball early?¡±


    Madelynn scrunched her face in confusion. ¡°What? What does that have to do with anything? I left because I was drunk and upset and lonely and bored, and probably a myriad of other things I forgot by the time I was sober.¡±


    ¡°I wanted you to stay.¡±


    ¡°What? I-¡± She shook her head, her mind swirling with a million different emotions. ¡°Why are you telling me this now? Why didn¡¯t you write or call on me if you were so concerned about me leaving early?¡±


    He paused, licking his lips. ¡°Madelynn, I¡¯m a soldier. I spend my days training so I can be better at killing, and my nights studying different ways to kill. I¡¯m never going to be good with words the way Cas is.¡±


    ¡°Hold on.¡± Madelynn shook free from his grasp, taking a step back, the gravel crunching loudly under her heeled shoe. ¡°I¡¯m very confused right now. What are you trying to achieve? I don¡¯t understand why Casimir¡¯s words have anything to do with what you¡¯re saying.¡±


    He scrubbed a hand over his face, his lips curled in what Madelynn could only describe as desperation. ¡°I can¡¯t explain it, Madelynn. I have spent my whole life working toward what I am today. And I didn¡¯t realize how much I was missing out on until I met you. I don¡¯t have the words to bring the feeling to life, but I know you feel it too.¡±


    So, he did feel the same. She felt her expression soften as she tilted her head, trying to understand. ¡°Are you joking? I¡¯ve spent the last two days trying to convince myself it was nothing ¨C that I read too much into it. But I can¡¯t shake it, Callum. It¡¯s maddening.¡±


    Callum smiled tightly, looking disingenuous. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t talk here any longer ¨C if he notices it¡¯ll ¨C¡± He glanced over his shoulder and took a deep breath. ¡°Would you walk with me?¡±


    Madelynn stood still, debating taking his outstretched arm. The distant hum of music signalled the dance had begun. Her mother was surely searching for her, and likely Casimir as well. ¡°My reputation is already at stake tonight, and I¡¯m pretty sure I just ruined any chance at a prospect under the age of sixty.¡±


    He straightened, his demeanor changing slightly. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. The Madelynn I met at the ball would have jumped at the chance to leave her life behind- even just for a moment. My being here with you puts my position at jeopardy, as well. This is the only time I¡¯ll offer this.¡±


    A challenge. She watched his eyes, waiting to see a flicker of dishonesty, but his gaze stayed solid, genuine, as he watched her. The moon cast shadows across his face, softening the sharp angles and making his exhaustion all the more visible. He looked both fierce and fragile, like a man who had carried too much for too long.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she finally broke the tension hanging over them. ¡°But, if we get caught, you owe me a marriage. I¡¯ll never marry with a reputation so tarnished after something so scandalous.¡±


    A smile- a genuine, dimpled smile- spread across his lips as she took his arm. ¡°Deal.¡±

 Chapter 8

    The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of the blooming hedges lining the path. Madelynn walked beside Callum, her arm looped loosely through his as their footsteps crunched softly over gravel. A silence hung between them, heavy but not uncomfortable, as if both of them were searching for the right words to say.


    She glanced up at him- his blue eyes, so piercing just moments ago, seemed almost gentle now. Vulnerable. It was a sharp contrast to the polished and commanding soldier she¡¯d seen earlier in the evening.


    ¡°So,¡± she finally broke the silence, kicking idly at a loose rock, ¡°do you take a lot of women for late-night strolls, or am I just special?¡±


    Callum chuckled, the sound low and warm. ¡°Only the ones who insult me before I¡¯ve had the chance to introduce myself.¡±


    Madelynn gleamed, remembering back to the ball. ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re just a glutton for punishment.¡±


    He raised an eyebrow, looking down at her out of the corner of his eye. ¡°It works well, given your tendency toward completely emotionally devastating anyone in your general vicinity.¡±


    Madelynn gasped, smacking him playfully on the arm. ¡°Hey! Horse boy absolutely deserved it. Did you see the way he completely wrecked my shin?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± Callum drew out, shrugging, ¡°you did laugh at him.¡±


    ¡°I was laughing at you!¡± She flipped a stray hair out of her face as they rounded a corner, approaching a bench at the center of the hedge maze. ¡°You kept making all those faces at me, and all I wanted was for you to ask me to dance.¡±


    His mouth split into a grin. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t gone off and gotten so drunk, I probably would have. You were stumbling ¡®round like a distempered possum!¡±


    ¡°Was it that bad?¡± Madelynn grimaced, thinking back to that night. She¡¯d definitely been drunk, but she didn¡¯t remember being obscene in her actions.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    He narrowed his eyes and held up his fingers in a just a little bit motion.


    ¡°Oh Lord, no wonder my parents were so fed up with me that next morning. I thought, for sure, they were going to send me to live on a farm with some distant relative.¡±


    His grin faltered as he sat on the bench, motioning for her to join him. She did, and he leaned forward on his knees, stroking his stubbled chin with a hand. ¡°For someone who¡¯s so opposed to society¡¯s standards, you seem to care a lot about what your parents think.¡±


    Madelynn leaned back, staring up at the stars. It was a peaceful, clear night. The air had a chill to it, making her thankful she¡¯d gone with a long-sleeved dress. It felt so wrong¨C such a beautiful night sky full of stars looming over all that happened tonight. ¡°It¡¯s not about me caring, because honestly I don¡¯t. But I live with them. They have unilateral authority over my life until I¡¯m married. That¡¯s why-¡± She sighed, trying to push her thoughts away from the impending conversation with her mother- ¡°That¡¯s why I was leaving. I¡¯ve been strictly forbidden from seeing you again. My mother¡¯s probably going to sell me off to some old, wrinkled man at her first chance.¡±


    Callum¡¯s hand found hers and squeezed, offering silent reassurance. She couldn¡¯t help but notice the trembling in his hand¨Ca gentle flexing and release of his knuckles. ¡°Then just don¡¯t go home,¡± he offered. His words were ridiculous, but his tone was serious.


    ¡°And go where?¡± she bit out. ¡°It¡¯s not like I can drop everything and go live with a man I hardly know.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± His gaze flicked to hers, his eyes alight with a passion that made her toes curl.


    ¡°Callum, you¡¯re a soldier. I¡¯m a Lady.¡± She scrubbed a hand over her eyes, reality slowly creeping up her on her. ¡°You¡¯d likely lose your position and I¡¯d never be welcomed into society again.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you want?¡± he prodded. ¡°To be freed from society¡¯s shackles?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes,¡± she said, her tone harsher than she¡¯d intended. ¡°But I also can¡¯t just drop everything and go and run away with you. It¡¯s not realistic.¡±


    He nodded, tapping his foot rhythmically against the ground. ¡°You¡¯re right, it¡¯s not realistic. But hear me out for just a moment.¡± His hand left hers and trailed up to grip her arm. He was tense again, as he had been when he first confronted her by the courtyard. ¡°This isn¡¯t a one sided offer.¡±


    Madelynn pursed her lips, studying him. ¡°You mentioned Casimir earlier. Is this about him?¡±


    He raised his eyebrows, a look of defeat washing over him. ¡°You¡¯re very observant,¡± he choked out, suddenly looking pale and sickly, as if a sour memory had washed over him. ¡°I¡¯ll tell everything I can, but you¡¯ll probably see me in a different light after. This isn¡¯t a pleasant story.¡±


    She just nodded, even as his eyes darkened and dread washed over her.

 Chapter 9

    Callum nervously rubbed his thumb over his middle finger¡¯s nail as he stared at nothing for a moment.


    ¡°If it¡¯s too much, you don¡¯t have to tell me,¡± Madelynn said gently, her eyes darting around as they scanned his face. He looked nervous and exhausted, as if something were slowly devouring him from the inside.


    ¡°No, I do.¡± He bowed his head, running both hands through his white locks. ¡°Casimir already has his claws in you, it¡¯d be villainous of me not to warn you.¡±


    She leaned away from him, gnawing on her thumb nail. ¡°You¡¯re making me nervous,¡± she said, her voice sounding smaller- more scared- than she¡¯d intended.


    He looked up at her sheepishly. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not-¡± He paused and took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m not good with words when it comes to these kinds of things.¡±


    She placed her hand on his, stilling the nervous tick. ¡°Just use the words that feel right.¡±


    His lips quirked up into a forced smile. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll just start from the beginning.¡± He took another deep breath. ¡°Cas and I trained together, back when we were just grunt soldiers. He was always really strong. Not just physically, but his Essence was insanely powerful. He- it was almost as if something was broken inside of him. He started out trying to be good, but as soon as he gained an ounce of power, he snapped.¡±


    ¡°When he got promoted, I¡¯m assuming?¡± Madelynn brushed a stray strand of hair from her eyes then clenched her fist in an attempt to stop chewing her nail.


    ¡°Yes, but before that, too. Any skirmish or training exercise- he just took it too far. He wasn¡¯t just training, he was using dark spells and it was scaring people, obviously. No one wanted to be around him, but there was something¡­ entrancing about him. I found myself completely unable to abandon him as everyone else did. I wanted to, but he offered some unspoken promise of power. It sounds horrible, but I was¡­¡± he hesitated, shaking his head as if ashamed of himself, ¡°addicted to the power he offered.¡±


    Madelynn raised her eyebrows. There was more to their dynamic than simply coworkers, as Casimir had put it.


    ¡°He would do this thing. It¡¯s embarrassing to say out loud, but he could do this thing where he¡¯d mingle our Essences together. It would supercharge the both of us, we were walking Gods on the battlefield.¡±


    He squeezed Madelynn¡¯s hand until his knuckles turned white. She endured the pain. She had to know what happened.


    ¡°Eventually, there was a part of me that craved what he offered. It wasn¡¯t just power¡ªit was him. A piece of his Essence clung to me, whispering, pulling me back even when I wanted to run. I became his attack dog, not because I wanted to fight, but because I needed the ache to stop.¡±


    ¡°A piece of his Essence?¡± Madelynn tilted her head, trying to understand. ¡°Isn¡¯t everyone¡¯s Essence the same? I mean- at least drawn from the same source?¡±


    ¡°Not his.¡± His gaze flattened on hers. He faltered, looking terrified. ¡°There was something wrong with it. It was dark and it let him do things that shouldn¡¯t have been possible. He could drain people of their Essence completely. He¡¯d leave battlefields bloodless, just shells of men left littering the ground. I think he absorbed it- tainted it and made it his own. It just kept getting worse, until we¡¯d made a name for ourselves. Townsfolk told stories of The Black Crow and his Silver Dove. Everyone was terrified of us.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°That¡¯s horrible,¡± Madelynn whispered. Callum nodded, licking his lips again. If Casimir was capable of such horrible things, why was he interested in Madelynn? She wasn¡¯t anything special. She was Bearing, but she never practiced beyond primary schooling. It wasn¡¯t socially acceptable for Young Ladies to utilize their powers; it was considered lowly and brutish.


    Callum continued, his foot still thumping nervously. ¡°I wanted to walk away- I really did. I watched him drain a man once. Face to face- all he did was touch him and he withered. It was like Cas had destroyed his soul. Then, I got injured in battle and he tried to heal me, but he said I¡¯d been hit with a Hex of Unhealing. So, I guess I became a liability after that because I had to start taking it easier. He treated me like I was nothing. I think he knew about that little bit of him he¡¯d left inside me, because he¡¯d only come to me once I was on the verge of breaking.¡±


    Realization dawned on Madelynn, and her heartbeat quickened, her belly suddenly feeling sick. ¡°Wait, do you think he plans on doing the same thing to me?¡±


    Callum¡¯s eyes bore holes through her, the intensity of his gaze making her toes curl. ¡°If he thinks something belongs to him, he won¡¯t let go easily. You¡¯ll be stuck with him, but you can¡¯t fall for his tricks. His lies.¡±


    ¡°Wait, I don¡¯t-¡± Madelynn stood, taking a step back. Her breaths became ragged, and she put a hand to her chest to try to force herself back to calm. ¡°Why- I¡¯m not-¡±


    ¡°Madelynn.¡± Callum stood and his hands found her shoulders, holding her still. ¡°I¡¯m not telling you this to scare you. I¡¯m telling you so you¡¯re prepared. He¡¯s not going to hurt you- that¡¯d be too obvious. His power rests in his words. You just have to go into this knowing you can¡¯t trust him.¡±


    ¡°Why would I get myself into anything? I never wanted any of this! I¡¯m not trying to play some horrific cat-and-mouse game.¡± She tried to shake herself from his grasp, but he kept his hands planted against her. She should run. She could get away if she really tried. But, as she stared into Callum¡¯s eyes, she saw a plea for help- a man who was stuck in a cycle he couldn¡¯t break on his own. Her resolve cracked and she could feel the sweat beginning to pool on her upper lip.


    ¡°If he has his eyes on you already, it¡¯s too late. He will reel you in. Trust me, I didn¡¯t think I would fall for his tricks either, but he¡¯s a master manipulator. He will make you feel like he¡¯s your strongest ally.¡±


    Madelynn shuddered, the cold evening air suddenly chilling her to the bone as her breath caught in her throat. ¡°Why me?¡± she asked sternly. ¡°What is so all-interesting about me that I¡¯m his target? I¡¯m no one.¡±


    Callum closed his eyes tightly, standing up straight. ¡°He saw that I was happy- after our little exchange on the balcony. In his eyes, I¡¯m his. So he has to have you, too. Or else you might try to rip me away from him.¡±


    Madelynn scrubbed her hands over her face. She wanted to scream, cry, throw every single rock at Callum¡¯s perfect face until her hands were bloody. He was the reason she was trapped in this mess. She wanted to hate him. She should hate him. But she couldn¡¯t. ¡°Is he going to kill me?¡± she asked after a moment of intense, deafening silence.


    ¡°No,¡± Callum laughed out, as if the idea was preposterous. ¡°He¡¯d sooner kill me, especially if he¡¯s had the chance to see how great you are.¡±


    Madelynn smiled tightly, but looped her arm around his once again. ¡°Can we keep walking?¡± she asked with a shaky voice. ¡°I think I¡¯m going to vomit.¡±


    He brought his hand up to entwine their fingers together. ¡°I¡¯m not going to leave your side until you ask me.¡±


    Madelynn nodded, feeling light headed. ¡°How am I supposed to look him in the eye after this? He¡¯s going to know I know.¡±


    Callum squeezed her hand and pulled it up so she could feel his heart thumping wildly in his chest. ¡°I couldn¡¯t save the others,¡± he muttered, his voice barely audible. There was a pain in his words, as if the memories still clawed at him. ¡°But I won¡¯t let him get to you.¡±


    Madelynn tightened her grip on his, her breath steadying. The path back to the hall felt impossibly short, but she knew what awaited her. Callum¡¯s warmth anchored her, but she couldn¡¯t help but feel that this was all moving too quickly. After all, how much did she truly know about the man standing next to her? Why did she feel so drawn to him- a man she hardly knew? It was reckless, foolish even, but she couldn¡¯t shake the safety his presence brought. And why was he so set on saving her? She¡¯d done nothing to deserve it.


    She tried to push the thoughts from her head as the great hall came into view. There was no room for questions in her mind. She didn¡¯t have answers, but she¡¯d find them if they both made it through the night.

 Chapter 10

    Approaching the great hall felt like approaching a summary execution. Madelynn clutched Callum¡¯s hand like it was the only thing keeping her afloat, until she could feel her nails digging into the back of his hand.


    The great doors were open, and she could see the loosely packed crowd swaying with the swell of music. The hall was dimly lit with chandeliers lining the ceiling, and a band played an upbeat twang on the stage.


    ¡°I¡¯m definitely going to vomit,¡± Madelynn said tursely, holding a hand to her mouth. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can do this. What if my mother comes between us?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, just focus on me.¡± Callum¡¯s voice was smooth, calmer than she¡¯d ever heard it. He was hiding something, she could tell by the way his eyes danced around, as if he was waiting for something- or more than likely someone- to swoop in and ruin the moment.


    They passed through the doors, and Madelynn¡¯s gaze immediately found her mother. She was standing in a tight circle with other noble looking women, laughing at something that was probably not funny at all. ¡°That¡¯s her, over there,¡± Madelynn whispered, nervous she¡¯d be heard even from this great distance.


    ¡°Ignore her,¡± Callum said plainly. Then, he turned to face her, briefly walking backward, then slowed to a stop, forcing Madelynn to a halt as well. He bowed at the waste, holding his right hand out toward her. ¡°Dance with me.¡± It was a demand, rather than a question.


    ¡°What?¡± Madelynn balked, staring at his outstretched hand. Then, her gaze flicked up to her mother, who was now staring straight at her. Her eyes were wide and angry-angrier than she¡¯d ever seen. Madelynn didn¡¯t wait to see if she started toward her, and instead grasped Callum¡¯s hand, allowing him to pull her onto the dancefloor as the upbeat song came to an end.


    His other hand came around to her middle back, sweeping her in closer to him. Her heartbeat was booming in her ears as she glanced around them. Men and women were staring at them, their hands held in front of their mouths as they whispered amongst themselves. Madelynn felt a blush creep up her neck and flourish in her cheeks.


    ¡°Look at me, Madelynn.¡± Callum¡¯s hand left her back to grip her chin, turning her head to face him.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s staring at us,¡± she whispered as his hand returned to her back.


    ¡°Let them.¡±


    The band brought a slow, flouncing Waltz to life and Callum moved. They pushed and pulled each other until they fell into an easy rhythm, their feet prancing around masterfully. Callum¡¯s coat tail flicked up as Madelynn¡¯s skirt swept widely across the dance floor, her hair whipping around her neck in a black halo.


    He moved with an ease that surprised her. He led her as though they¡¯d danced together hundreds of times before, steady and deliberate. And, despite her panic, Madelynn found herself relaxing into the steady rhythm.


    Her chest felt tight, torn between the exhilaration of Callum¡¯s presence and the knowledge that every step they took brought her closer to social ruin.


    ¡°You¡¯re surprisingly good at this,¡± she panted out, trying to ignore the heat settling in her cheeks.


    ¡°Surprisingly?¡± Callum teased, the corners of his mouth pulling up into a smirk.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t met many soldiers, but they were all particularly clumsy.¡±


    ¡°Well, I aim to impress.¡± He chuckled as they spun, the hand on her back pulling her in closer until her chest was pressed against him. ¡°You seem tense.¡±


    ¡°Of course I¡¯m tense!¡± She craned her neck to look up at him. ¡°I can feel their eyes on me. I¡¯ve never enjoyed being the center of attention.¡±


    ¡°Really? Your choice of gown says differently.¡±


    ¡°My handmaiden insisted,¡± Madelynn mumbled, silently cursing Elise for allowing her to wear such a flamboyant dress. ¡°She¡¯s a bit obsessed with the idea of romance.¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Callum pursed his lips before leaning down to whisper in her ear. ¡°Would she consider this romantic?¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s eyes shot wide, and she felt like pulling away. She could run away now and go hide herself away in a deep, dark cave, far away from society. But, as he pulled back and looked down at her with those pearly blue eyes, she lost her motivation. ¡°I think she¡¯d find this quite pleasing.¡±


    Callum smiled wide, his dimples peeking out once again. ¡°Besides,¡± he continued, as if he hadn¡¯t just sent heat spiraling down into the depths of Madelynn¡¯s belly, ¡°they¡¯ll all forget by tomorrow. A scandal is only a scandal as long as the people have something to gawk at.¡±


    Madelynn wasn¡¯t so sure, but his confidence was infectious. For a brief moment, the room around them faded, and it was just the two of them. The music swelled, reaching a crescendo, and her steps faltered slightly as her gaze lingered on his face. His features were soft under the faint glow of the chandeliers, and he was more handsome than ever. His jaw clenched as his eyes met hers once again.


    ¡°You¡¯re staring,¡± he said, his lips quirking up into a grin.


    She snapped her gaze away from his, her cheeks continuing to burn. ¡°I am not.¡±


    ¡°You are.¡±


    She bit her lip, forcing her gaze to meet his once again. His gaze was intense as ever, and all she wanted was to lose herself in it. ¡°Well, you¡¯re distracting.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡±


    As the song faded to an end, the hand on her back pulled her impossible close while he leaned into her. She leaned back, letting him support her weight as her right leg came up to float a few inches above the floor. His face was just inches from hers, and she could feel his labored breaths against her lips.


    They were so close- and the moment felt electric, charged by some unknown force that wouldn¡¯t let her pull away- she could kiss him. Her heart hammered in her chest, a wild staccato that seemed to sync with the rhythm of his breath against her skin. It would be so easy to close the gap, to let herself fall into this dangerous, reckless connection.


    A cough, sharp and deliberate, shattered the fragile bubble of their moment. Callum¡¯s hand tightened against her back as her head snapped to the side, her breath catching at the sight of two glowing eyes of molten gold fixed on them from the edge of the dance floor.


    Casimir¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, but his gaze held no warmth. He stepped forward, a predator moving to claim its prey.


    Callum pulled Madelynn back to standing as her stomach dropped to her knees. Instinctually, her hand flew to his, gripping it tightly.


    He leaned in close to whisper, ¡°Don¡¯t let him see your fear.¡±


    Madelynn did her best to straighten her back and push out her chest as Casimir approached them, his face as unreadable as ever.


    He gave Madleynn a low bow, his smile looking more cynical than friendly.


    ¡°I hate to interrupt the two of you,¡± he started, his voice smooth and controlled. ¡°But I was hoping I could whisk my date away for a dance?¡± He held his hand out to Madelynn.


    She stared at his outstretched hand and held back a wretch. She couldn¡¯t do this. She couldn¡¯t be here anymore. She felt naked under his gaze, as if he could see into her soul.


    She didn¡¯t meet his gaze, focusing on the feeling of Callum¡¯s trembling fingers intertwined with her own. ¡°No,¡± she said plainly, wishing she could run away.


    For a moment, Casimir looked taken aback. His eyebrows twitched, just faintly, as he looked between her and Callum. ¡°No?¡± His expression faded back to stone cold in less than a second, as if she¡¯d imagined it.


    ¡°No,¡± she reiterated, knitting her brows together. He¡¯d played enough games with her tonight and, after hearing what he¡¯d put Callum through, no amount of fear would stop her from at least trying to stand up for herself. ¡°I don¡¯t wish to dance with you.¡±


    Casimir¡¯s lips pulled upward into an amused smile, as if impressed with Madelynn¡¯s resilience. Madelynn¡¯s heart skipped a beat at the gesture and her stomach tied in knots. Everything about him was the complete opposite of Callum. How had they ever been friends? ¡°Very well,¡± Casimir said, his tone edged with amusement. ¡°Defiance suits you, Lady Madelynn. It¡¯s a pity how fleeting it can be.¡± He turned away from her but her eyes followed him as he brushed Callum¡¯s wrist with his hand, his touch lingering a moment too long. ¡°A word, General?¡± He said to Callum in a hushed tone.


    Callum¡¯s jaw tightened, his hand brushing over the spot where Casimir had touched him. A muscle in his cheek twitched, but he said nothing, his silence louder than words.


    Madelynn¡¯s breath hitched. What was he going to do to Callum? She tried to pull him with her as she stepped away, but he just squeezed her hand one last time before he let go, letting his hand drop to his waist. Madelynn¡¯s hand felt cold without his. The loss of his warmth was like a tether snapping, leaving her adrift in a sea of stares and judgment. Callum nodded curtly at Casimir, before following him away.


    She wanted to follow, but another hand found her shoulder, gripping tight enough to send pain down arm. She winced, and turned to see her mother staring down at her, seething.


    ¡°Madelynn Genevieve Hawtrey,¡± her mother hissed, her voice sharp enough to cut through the din of the hall. Even now, she was more concerned with appearances than the chaos swirling around them. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡±


    Madelynn opened her mouth to respond, but her mind was elsewhere. She snapped her gaze back to Callum. Her stomach churned as she watched him walk away, each step filling her with a helpless rage. She wanted to scream, to demand he stay by her side, but her mother¡¯s iron grip reminded her just how little control she truly had. Madelynn clenched her jaw until her teeth ached, rage simmering just beneath her fear. This couldn¡¯t be her life¡ªnot anymore.

 Chapter 11

    Lady Hawtrey tugged Madelynn toward the great doors, her grip a vise around her arm. Madelynn shifted, planted her feet, and pulled back trying to escape, but to no avail. She was whisked from the party, through the courtyard, and toward the carriages.


    ¡°Mother!¡± Madelynn shouted as they approached their carriage. ¡°This is mad, let me go!¡±


    ¡°Mad?¡± Her mother¡¯s face was red and sweaty with rage. ¡°Wait until your father hears about what you¡¯ve done- then you¡¯ll know mad.¡±


    She swung the carriage door open and pushed Madelynn roughly inside. She stumbled, but caught herself on the bench. ¡°You¡¯re being ridiculous!¡±


    ¡°Do you know what you¡¯ve done?¡± her mother spat. Her voice was low and venomous, her hands trembling at her sides as though barely containing the urge to strike. ¡°Leaving General Aldrich at the table like that, then reappearing with Whitlock? Where is your shame?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve done nothing wrong!¡± Madelynn shouted back. Her mother shoved her back until the backs of her knees knocked against the bench, forcing her into a sitting position. ¡°You knew I didn¡¯t want to be here, much less with Casimir. He¡¯s horrible, Mother. You should¡¯ve heard the things Callum told me.¡±


    ¡°Of course he told you things- he thinks there¡¯s a chance for him to win you over.¡± She scowled as she knocked on the side wall, signalling to the coachman. ¡°I thought you understood!¡±


    ¡°The only thing I understand is that you see me as nothing more than a pawn in your efforts to boost the Hawtrey name. It¡¯s disgusting, if you ask me.¡± Madelynn shook her head in disgust. She knew her mother would be enraged. Madelynn couldn¡¯t even bring a good excuse for her actions- she shouldn¡¯t have needed one. ¡°I did what I did because I wanted to. Callum understands me in a way you¡¯ll never be able to.¡±


    ¡°Oh I¡¯m sure he understands you very well.¡±


    ¡°And what exactly is that supposed to mean?¡± Madelynn raised her eyebrows, waiting for a response as her mother pursed her lips, as if trying to keep all her thoughts from rushing out at once.


    ¡°You¡¯ve humiliated this family. General Aldrich was kind enough to invite you to this incredibly prestigious event- he gave you a chance no one else would have after your behavior at your debutante ball, and you repay him by acting like a little- a little-¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s face went flat as she clenched her jaw. ¡°A little what,¡± she prodded through clenched teeth. ¡°Say it.¡±


    ¡°A whore, Madelynn. You are acting like a whore.¡±


    Madelynn bit her lip, holding back a biting laugh. ¡°That¡¯s rich!¡± she exploded, a noxious smile decorating her features. ¡°And this is coming from the woman who was pregnant, not once- but twice- before marriage? And not even to someone as accomplished as a General. To a grunt- a no one.¡± Madelynn buried her fists in her dress as her mother stared, open mouthed, at her. ¡°Maybe we¡¯re more alike than you thought, Mother. At least I walked away from tonight with my integrity.¡±


    A heavy, suffocating silence fell over them as her mother just stared at her, tears brimming in her eyes. Madelynn felt the tinge of guilt building in her belly, but she ignored it, forcing it away. She wouldn¡¯t allow herself to feel guilty about her words, not after what her mother had put her through. Not after what Casimir was going to do to Callum. It was all her mother¡¯s fault. If she hadn¡¯t been forced to come to this banquet, none of this would have happened.


    Madelynn closed her eyes, letting her thoughts drift to Callum for just a moment. What was Casimir going to do to him? Would he beat him? Berate him as her mother was doing to her? She was sure she hadn¡¯t imagined the cruelty behind Casimir¡¯s smile. If Callum was scared enough of him to warn her the way he did- she didn¡¯t want to think about it- couldn¡¯t let herself think about it. Callum was strong, he had to be. It wasn¡¯t as if Casimir would¡­ kill him, right?This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    ¡°Whenever we get home-¡± Her mother started. Her voice, no longer heated, was a cold, cutting monotone. It felt worse than the shouting¡ªa final judgment passed, unshakable-¡°you will go to your room. You will not leave your room until you are summoned by your father or me, is that understood?¡±


    Madelynn rolled her eyes dramatically. ¡°Or what? It¡¯s not like you can tarnish my reputation any more than I already have. Can¡¯t you see that I¡¯m done with this- done with all of this?¡± She held her arms out, motioning to everything around them. ¡°Why can¡¯t you just leave me be?¡±


    ¡°Your father and I are going to reach out to General Aldrich and see if he¡¯ll have anything to do with you after tonight, or if you¡¯ve burned that bridge, as well.¡± Her mother shifted in her seat, straightening her shoulders. ¡°If not, we¡¯ll send you to live with your Aunt Thalia on the farm in Pit.¡±


    ¡°In Pit?¡± Madelynn grimaced at the idea. Pit was a filthy little town in the far South of Malyr. It was known for its cornfields and sitting puddles of human filth in the streets. Madelynn could smell it already, remembering back to her days she¡¯d spent visiting as a young girl. ¡°I¡¯ll just run away.¡±


    ¡°At this point,¡± her mother deadpanned, sounding completely defeated. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I¡¯d try to stop you.¡±


    Madelynn clenched her jaw, turning to the window. The silence left an unspoken tension hanging over them. She watched her mother¡¯s reflection in the window, the streetlights highlighting her set jaw and watery eyes. Madelynn replayed her words over and over. Humiliated this family¡­ Little whore¡­ Burned that bridge¡­ The farm in Pit.


    It was all just too much. She¡¯d put so much trust in Callum. She¡¯d acted rashly. Was he truly worth ruining her life for? This man- this stranger- was he really worth it? What if he wasn¡¯t being truthful, or what if he couldn¡¯t follow through with keeping her safe? If he couldn¡¯t, what was left for Madelynn?


    She¡¯d burned the only suiter who showed interest in her, and probably ruined any relationship she could have had with her mother. Likely her father as well.


    If her mother was right and Callum was just treating her as a fling- a way to relax after a long campaign- she was ruined. Even if he was being truthful, she was ruined. Everything was ruined.


    Everything was ruined.


    The carriage rolled to a stop outside the Hawtrey estate. The darkness in the windows felt personal, as if even the house had given up on Madelynn.


    The carriage door flew open and her mother exited first, her back straight, her movements sharp and deliberate. She didn¡¯t even spare Madelynn a glance as she strode quickly toward the entrance.


    Madelynn hesitated, gripping the bench, before she climbed down onto the dirt path. The tension followed her, like a chain around her neck, as she started toward the prison she¡¯d once called home.


    Her mother pushed the villa¡¯s doors open and stepped inside wordlessly. She left the doors open for Madelynn, and she followed suit, closing the doors softly behind her.


    You will go to your room. You will not leave your room until you are summoned by your father or me¡­


    The words had felt like a challenge, but now they felt like a death sentence. Her parents were going to force her to marry Casimir just because she¡¯d wanted to spend an evening defying them. All she¡¯d wanted to do was be herself, why was that so hard for them to understand?


    As Madelynn ascended the stairs toward her room, all she hoped for was that Elise was waiting for her. She needed someone to cry on.


    She pushed open the door to her room and felt the tension inside her boil over. The lights were off in here, as well. Elise was already off-duty for the night. Of course, she could ring her in, but that would be cruel.


    A sob wracked her body as she flipped the lights on. Her room was just as it had been before she left- beauty products left littering the vanity, her debutante gown still splayed out on the ground, her bed unmade. This was her home, her safe space, and suddenly it felt foreign. How was her room the same when so much had changed?


    She sat on the edge of her bed, her trembling fingers brushing over the lace trim of her dress. It was beautiful, meticulously crafted¡ªlike her life had been, once. Now it all felt like a lie. Her chest ached as she let the tears well up, a storm she could no longer contain.


    She gripped the neck of the dress and pulled. She pulled until it ripped, and she pulled it from her body and discarded it on the floor. She stood and stepped out of the skirt. Now, she stood as naked as she felt. Her breath hitched as she looked down at the ruined fabric. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to shield against the weight of it all¡ªthe shame, the fear, the overwhelming feeling of being utterly alone.


    This was all so pathetic. If she¡¯d just had more self control, this wouldn¡¯t have happened. If she¡¯d just listened to her mother, this never would have happened. If she¡¯d just-


    She couldn¡¯t handle it anymore. She collapsed onto the bed and let the sobs escape her like demons from an execution.


    She cried, sobbed, and screamed herself into a restless sleep consumed by dreams of escape.

 Chapter 12

    Madelynn had never been disemboweled, but as she forced her swollen eyes open, the hollow ache in her chest made her wonder if it might feel like this.


    Her belly swirled with guilt, nerves, and nothingness. That¡¯s all she¡¯d left for herself: nothing. A chill swept over her, and she didn¡¯t even bother pulling the covers up. Did she even deserve the comfort her bed provided? She was a failure of a Young Woman- a good for nothing little whore.


    She¡¯d truly ruined everything just for Callum. Did she truly believe he would come and save her from herself? Her life was hers and his life was his. He had no obligation to her, and that was if he was even still alive. For all she knew, Casimir could have killed him for the way he¡¯d acted last night. The way he spoke about Casimir, it didn¡¯t seem out of the realm of possibility.


    The nothingness in her belly was replaced by dread when a soft knock sounded at the door. Madelynn whipped her head to the side and watched as the door slowly swung inward. But, she let out a breath of relief when Elise emerged from the hallway.


    She wanted to stand, to run to Elise and wrap herself in the comfort of her presence. But her body felt heavy, and heat crept up her cheeks as she remembered she was naked beneath the covers.


    Elise¡¯s eyes darted around the room, landing on the dress on the floor. Madelynn half expected her to scream for tarnishing a perfectly good, gorgeous gown. But her eyes softened as they flicked from the ruined dress to Madelynn. She stepped closer, hesitating as though unsure whether to speak or reach out.


    ¡°Oh, Maddie,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper, as she took a step closer. ¡°How can I help you?¡±


    She looked on the verge of tears, just as Madelynn was. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Madelynn¡¯s voice shook as she fought back a sob. Elise looked so tiny, so frail, and yet she was everything right now. ¡°I think-¡± she heaved out, forcing herself to take a deep breath- ¡°I think I¡¯ve blown everything.¡±


    Elise¡¯s mouth pulled into a sympathetic smile as she crossed the room slowly and carefully, as if a wrong step could result in catastrophe. She came and sat on the edge of Madelynn¡¯s bed and folded her hands in her lap. ¡°I heard what happened,¡± she stated, her voice as small as Madelynn felt. ¡°I know it doesn¡¯t mean a lot, but I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    Madelynn blinked at her, forcing tears to stream down her cheeks. ¡°For what? For ruining my life?¡± she choked out.


    ¡°For being you,¡± Elise said boldly, her hand coming to rest on Madelynn¡¯s covered leg. ¡°I¡¯ve watched for years as you¡¯ve shoved yourself aside time and time again. You are so much more than your parents will ever see, and I am so proud of you for finally letting yourself shine.¡±


    Madelynn blubbered, a shudder shaking through her body as she stared at Elise. ¡°That¡¯s very kind-¡± she sniffled, wiping at her nose with her arm- ¡°of you, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact that I¡¯m going to be forced to marry a man I do not love and cannot stand.¡± She sat up, pulling the comforter up to cover her bare chest. ¡°The things Callum said about him¡­ Casimir is either broken or evil. I¡¯ve witnessed it, I¡¯ve played his game, and I saw the way Callum was terrified of him. I will not subject myself to a lifetime of misery.¡±


    Elise¡¯s smile faltered as Madelynn spoke. She knew something. Madelynn could tell by the way she suddenly refused to meet her eyes. ¡°What is it?¡± Madelynn asked, dread creeping up her toes as Elise sighed heavily.


    She blinked, her eyes searching the ceiling. Then, she closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping forward. ¡°I wish I could shelter you from what I¡¯m about to say but, like Miriam always tells me- it¡¯s better to just rip the bandage off in one swift motion.¡± She turned to face Madelynn, her eyes full of conflict and sorrow. She wrung her hands in her lap, gnawing on her bottom lip. ¡°He¡¯s downstairs speaking to your parents now.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s mouth fell agape and her stomach sunk to her toes. ¡°Wait- what? C-Casimir is in my home?¡± she stuttered out. Elise¡¯s words didn¡¯t make sense. Casimir was here? In her home? She sat frozen, the weight of it pressing her down, until her shock gave way to something sharper, hotter. Anger. Her privacy, her home¡ªviolated. He thought he could negotiate her life away? ¡®What is he doing here?¡¯ she demanded, her voice low and trembling with fury.


    ¡°I believe they¡¯re negotiating for your wedding.¡±


    The walls closed in on Madelynn, and suddenly she couldn¡¯t breathe. The room pressed in around her like a vice, threatening to squeeze out her last breath. But even then, her anger endured. ¡°Elise, can you help me get dressed?¡± she asked, pushing her fear aside. This was no time to be scared, to feel weak or hopeless. She needed her fury, her raw unfiltered rage to get her through this altercation. She clenched her fists beneath the covers- her parents could rip everything away from her, force her into a life of solitude, but they could never rid her of her fury.


    ¡°That¡¯s the Maddie I know.¡± Elise stood and strode toward Madelynn¡¯s wardrobe. ¡°I¡¯m thinking pants are appropriate for this occasion.¡±


    She pulled a pair of black, leather riding trousers from the closet and turned around with a smile dripping in revenge. Madelynn returned the sentiment, thrumming her forefinger against her chin. ¡°Perfect.¡±


    Elise helped Madelynn into the trousers and a crisp, white shirt, her fingers masterfully fastening the buttons as if to armor Madelynn from the battle ahead. ¡°There,¡± she said, smoothing the shirt over Madelynn¡¯s shoulders with a grin of pride. ¡°Now, go show them what you¡¯re made of.


    Madelynn squared her shoulders and nodded curtly. ¡°Thank you, Elise.¡± She pulled her into a tight hug, letting the warmth and safety radiating from her linger. ¡°I don¡¯t think I would have risen out of that bed if not for you.¡±


    She pulled out of the hug and turned, preparing for the fight ahead. She took a deep steadying breath before pulling the door open and stepping out into the long, sprawling hallway. She could do this. She had to do this. She let her rage fuel her as she descended the stairs, her parents voices radiating up the stairwell, followed by the practiced smoothness of Casimir¡¯s.


    Her toes tingled as fear crept up them, but she couldn¡¯t let herself dwell on it. She had to remember her anger. She had to remember the look on her mother¡¯s face when she¡¯d called her a whore. The emptiness left inside her when Casimir stole Callum away from her. The feeling of knowing he was inside her home- her sanctuary. He was not welcome, and she could no longer pretend otherwise.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she could see her mother¡¯s head bobbing as she laughed at something Casimir had said. Madelynn cleared her throat loudly, drawing their attention. Her mother and father whipped around, glaring at her from the other side of the sofa. Casimir¡¯s eyes shot up, staring at her with a controlled intensity only achieved through years of practice and manipulation.


    ¡°Lady Madelynn,¡± Casimir started, rising from his seat, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you today.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that goes for two of us,¡± Madelynn responded, letting the words flow from her without a second thought. ¡°What the hell are you doing in my house?¡±


    ¡°Madelynn!¡± her father bellowed, rising from the sofa. His face was red and puffy, as if he¡¯d been up drinking all night. The rage in his eyes was fogged over with the glossiness of sleeplessness. ¡°You are not permitted to leave your room. Get back upstairs. Now.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to do that,¡± she said flatly, ignoring her mother¡¯s firy gaze on her. ¡°In fact, I¡¯d like a moment alone with General Aldrich if that¡¯s alright with you, my dear, loving parents.¡± Her words were sharp and angry, fueled by nothing but pure anger.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine with me,¡± Casimir said with a pleasant smile. Madelynn wanted to punch him in his stupid teeth.


    Her father turned and glared as Casimir before his gaze returned to Madelynn. ¡°You have five minutes, then you¡¯ll return to your room until you¡¯re called on.¡± His tone was ominously calm, as if he was saving his voice for a later explosion.


    Casimir nodded, giving her parents a slight bow as they exited the room. Madelynn waited until they were out of ear shot, then blundered toward Casimir, each step heavy with a barely-stifled rampage.


    She stopped less than a foot in front of him, staring up into his golden eyes. ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± she growled out, baring her teeth as she spoke.


    Casimir chuckled, as if the situation was cute to him. ¡°I¡¯m discussing the terms our courtship with Lord and Lady Hawtrey, of course. I figured you¡¯d be thankful after last evening¡¯s events.¡±


    ¡°Thankful?¡± Madelynn spat. ¡°I¡¯d sooner marry my handmaiden before I¡¯d even consider taking your hand in marriage.¡±


    Casimir shrugged playfully, as if they were exchanging friendly banter. ¡°That would be a shame, wouldn¡¯t it? Letting someone with your¡­ potential fly away like the little bird you are?¡± He raised his eyebrows, his voice dropping low to barely a whisper. ¡°I¡¯d help you spread your wings and soar like a heron in the night.¡±


    Madelynn gawked at him, taken aback by his passiveness. She felt her momentum slowing, and bunched her hands into fists at her sides. ¡°Enough with the cryptic remarks. What did you do to Callum?¡±


    A sinister smile spread across his lips and he leaned in to speak into her ear. ¡°Let¡¯s just say you won¡¯t be hearing from him for a while.¡±


    Madelynn stepped back, scowling up at him. ¡°Why are you doing this? Why can¡¯t you just walk away? Leave us to live without you.¡±


    ¡°Ah,¡± he drew out, as if finally understanding Madelynn¡¯s rage. ¡°He was telling you stories, wasn¡¯t he?¡± He brought his hand up, picking at a nail as if the conversation was boring him. ¡°General Whitlock is known for his¡­flamboyancy. He fabricates and stretches things, searching for sympathy.¡± His eyes met hers again with that same violating intensity they¡¯d had at the ball. ¡°You should be more careful than to trust men you¡¯ve only just met. It¡¯s unbecoming for such a striking Young Lady, such as yourself.¡± Madelynn took another step back, feeling cornered by his gaze. The fear crept further up her now, settling in her belly. Her fists shook as she tried to retain the anger that was quickly being replaced by panic. ¡°I suppose you could consider my visit today as an act of forgiveness.¡± The word leaked from him like venom from the fangs of a python, wrapping around her in a suffocating coil.


    ¡°Forgiveness,¡± she breathed out shakily. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she took another step back, knocking into the wall. She was stuck- cornered.. ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you as soon as you let Callum go.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Darling,¡± Casimir laughed out, spreading his arms out around him as if he knew he¡¯d won. He followed her, the air growing colder as he leaned in, his breath brushing against her skin, carrying the faint scent of smoke and wine. His shadow loomed over her, swallowing the faint light from the windows. ¡°It¡¯s just you and me. Who is left to save you? Your parents? They¡¯ve made their choice. Callum? Well, let¡¯s just say he¡¯s run his course. And you? I¡¯d hate to see what happens if you make this¡­ difficult.¡± He leaned in closer, and she turned her head away from his to avoid his gaze- his breath heavy and hot against her cheek. ¡°It¡¯s a shame, really. You could have had everything- freedom, power, safety- and yet here you are, fighting a battle you can¡¯t win. Is that what Callum told you? That he¡¯d save you?¡±


    Who was left to save her? The question clung to her, their weight dragging her deeper into the suffocating grip of dread.


    ¡°Alright!¡± Her father¡¯s voice broke the tension, and Casimir stepped away, an easy smile spreading across his face as if nothing had happened. ¡°You¡¯ve had your time, Madelynn.¡± Her father¡¯s eyes landed on her, not softening or even questioning the heavy breaths heaving her chest. ¡°Back to your room.¡±


    Madelynn scowled, drawing her lips up, but didn¡¯t argue. She didn¡¯t look back at Casimir before she stomped away, back up the stairs. She couldn¡¯t catch her breath as she pushed the door open, the hinges groaning as it slammed against the wall. Her eyes frantically scanned the room until they found Elise. She was sitting on the bed again, her eyes not meeting Madelynn¡¯s as her eyes scanned a piece of parchment in her hands.


    ¡°What now?¡± Madelynn shouted, panic swirling around in her belly.


    Elise clutched the parchment as if it might crumble to dust if she let go, her fingers trembling with an unspoken weight. Her gaze darted to Madelynn¡¯s, and the tears threatening to spill over only deepened the pit in Madelynn¡¯s stomach. ¡°Maddie,¡± she started, her eyebrows curling upward as a single tear rolled down her face.


    Madelynn¡¯s eyes shot wide and she darted across the room. Time slowed and the walls closed in as she knelt next to Elise, the poor girl¡¯s eyes filled with more sadness than she¡¯d seen before. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked, softly this time.


    ¡°It¡¯s from Callum,¡± she choked out, reaching out to hand the paper to Madelynn. ¡°I¡¯ll follow you wherever this leads.¡± she whispered.


    She grabbed the letter and read it hungrily, desperately.


    Madelynn,


    I don¡¯t have the time or words to write anything deeply meaningful. I¡¯m being sent away to Korner indefinitely. I¡¯ve been assigned to the Vanguard in an invasion effort, and the odds of me returning with my life are growing increasingly slim the more I learn of the strategies being implemented.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never felt more alive than when I held you during our dance, and I wish I¡¯d had more time to tell you how much your fire and your courage has meant to me. I¡¯m begging you to meet me one last time, and if you choose to find me, I will be at my residence as detailed on the opposite side of this letter. If you do not wish to meet with me, please heed my advice: Do not let Casimir in. He will ruin you.


    I don¡¯t know what lies ahead, but I can¡¯t face it without knowing you¡¯re safe. If you come to me, I¡¯ll do everything I can to protect you. If you can¡¯t, please promise me you¡¯ll protect yourself.


    With love and admiration,


    Callum


    Her hands shook as she clutched the letter, her vision blurring with tears. She wanted to scream, to rage at the world for being so cruel- but there was no time for anger now. Callum¡¯s words burned into her mind like an order, a plea, and she couldn¡¯t ignore them. She wouldn¡¯t. If Casimir thought he¡¯d broken her, he was wrong. Madelynn drug her gaze up to meet Elise¡¯s. She clenched her jaw, swallowing hard.


    ¡°We¡¯re going.¡±


    Elise nodded, reaching behind her to grab a bag that was already packed.

 Chapter 13

    ¡°How are we going to do this?¡± Elise asked as she stood, wiping her tear-streaked cheeks.


    Madelynn folded the letter into a little square and stuffed it in her back pocket. She stood and glanced around the room, wiping her sweaty palms on her shirt. She needed to make a plan, and quickly. There was nothing in her room that could help them escape, unless she wanted to tie some bedsheets together and scale down the side of the house. ¡°Okay,¡± she breathed, blinking rapidly to clear her eyes as she came up with a plan. Her eyes landed on Elise¡¯s bag¡ªa burlap sack with two ropes for handles. ¡°What¡¯s in your bag?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡± Elise pulled the top of the bag to open it wide and stuffed a hand inside. ¡°A change of clothes for each of us, a loaf of rye, a pair of your riding boots, a few potions of healing aid, sleep aid, and fullness, and some sewing supplies.


    Madelynn raised her eyebrows, impressed at her forethought. ¡°Wow, Elise. You really thought this through.


    Elise chuckled nervously, pulling the bag closed again. ¡°Once General Aldrich arrived, I started gathering things just in case.


    ¡°That¡¯s incredible foresight,¡± Madelynn remarked, chewing on her thumbnail. ¡°We do, however, need to find a way out. We can¡¯t use the stairs or the servant¡¯s quarters¡ªI¡¯m sure my parents have everyone on the lookout.


    Elise paused, her eyes searching the room. ¡°What if,¡± she drawled as she put her thoughts together, ¡°we tied the bedsheets together into a rope?¡±


    ¡°I thought of that too, but the silk would be too slippery.¡±


    Elise turned and scooped up a pillow, smashing it in her hands. ¡°Okay, what if we just throw all the dressings out the window? The second floor isn¡¯t that high up; we could create a cushion to land on.¡±


    Just then, the house groaned, a telling sign someone was climbing the stairs. ¡°Dammit,¡± Madelynn snapped in a hushed tone. She scraped her teeth across her bottom lip as her breathing grew uneven once again. ¡°We don¡¯t have time to figure this out. Grab everything.¡±


    She did her best to steady her breathing and calm her racing heart as she ran to the closet and ripped four gowns from the hooks in one swift motion. When she turned, Elise already had the bed undressed, the sheets and pillows bunched in her arm as she pulled the window open. She stepped forward and held her arms out, dropping everything to the ground below them. Madelynn followed suit as Elise jogged back to the wardrobe as well.


    Madelynn dropped her load, then turned around to grab more clothes when a voice echoed through the door. Her father had to have been at the top of the stairs, discussing something with either her mother or Casimir. She didn¡¯t want to find out and couldn¡¯t risk being caught mid-escape.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for more,¡± she whispered, grabbing Elise¡¯s arm and pulling her toward the window. ¡°You go first. I¡¯ll follow.¡±


    Elise nodded. She stepped up onto the windowsill and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, her face scrunched tightly, then stepped forward. She dropped out of sight, and Madelynn rushed forward to find her crumpled on the ground.


    Her stomach dropped at the sight, but she breathed a sigh of relief when Elise pushed herself up to sit and shot her a thumbs-up.


    The sight of Elise¡¯s awkward fall sent a wave of doubt crashing through Madelynn¡¯s chest. The ground below wasn¡¯t soft¡ªpatchy grass barely covered the packed dirt¡ªbut there was no time to second-guess.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Madelynn nodded to herself, trying to steady her nerves. She grabbed Elise¡¯s bag from the floor and tossed it out, then stepped up onto the ledge. Her father¡¯s voice was growing louder. She didn¡¯t have time to feel nervous.


    She closed her eyes and took a step forward, keeping her knees loose as she plummeted. The urge to vomit hit her as soon as the cool, spring air rushed past her arms and lifted her hair.


    She landed hard, her ankle twisting painfully as she collapsed onto the ground. Her shoulder scraped against the rough dirt, sending sharp jolts up her arm. She groaned as the earth knocked the wind from her body, her ribs grinding together as she gasped for air that wouldn¡¯t come.


    She pushed herself onto her back and stared up at the sky. It was a clear day, and the sun stung her eyes. She couldn¡¯t even bring herself to squint as she grasped at her shirt, finally finding a shallow, wheezing breath.


    ¡°Maddie!¡± Elise ran to her, placing a hand on her arm. ¡°Are you alright? You fell horribly.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she bit out through gasps. ¡°We need to go. Now.¡±


    Elise held out a hand to help her to her feet, and Madelynn gratefully accepted it, her whole body screaming in protest as she stood. Her ankle throbbed painfully with each step, but it wasn¡¯t enough to slow her.


    ¡°This way,¡± Elise commanded, pointing toward a cobblestone road just across the field from her house. ¡°We should head into town and make sure we¡¯re out of sight before we stop and deliberate any further.¡±


    Madelynn nodded in agreement as Elise grabbed her bag. Then they were off. The field was open, perfect for being spotted, so they sprinted. Elise¡¯s blue dress flew wildly behind her in the wind, her braided dirty blonde hair smacking the sides of her face.


    Madelynn was winded and her legs burned once they reached the road. She couldn¡¯t hear any shouts coming from the house and decided that meant no one had discovered their escape.


    ¡°This way,¡± Elise said between labored breaths, motioning for Madelynn to follow her. The road ahead was lined with trees, and they took to the woods, staying off the road in case any passerby would recognize them.


    The ground squished beneath their shoes as they trekked on in silence, the only other sound their heavy breaths. Madelynn¡¯s head spun as she dodged around a slim tree. This was inherently stupid of them. Incredibly stupid, really. Two young women¡ªElise still a girl, really, at only seventeen years¡ªon their own. It was mid-morning, so the sun was out, but that didn¡¯t change the fact that they¡¯d never be able to fight off grown men if they chose to attack them. Elise could heal, apparently, but Madelynn was nowhere near proficient in Essence Bearing. She¡¯d probably need to start training now that she was officially a runaway. Maybe Elise would be willing to train her.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Elise said suddenly, breaking their silence, ¡°Callum¡¯s address should be on the back of that letter. We should get an idea of where we¡¯re going.¡±


    ¡°That would probably be helpful.¡± Madelynn reached into her back pocket and pulled out the parchment, flipping it over to find Callum¡¯s address in frantic writing. ¡°It looks like ten Marlington, here in Daam.¡±


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Elise responded cheerfully, though the grim look on her face contradicted her tone. ¡°I know exactly where Marlington is.¡±


    Elise¡¯s disheveled appearance¡ªthe mud staining the bottom of her skirt, the dirt smeared on her hands and face, the hairs sticking savagely out of her braids¡ªsent a ping of guilt through Madelynn¡¯s belly. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said softly, feeling embarrassed at the sentiment. ¡°For coming with me, I mean. I don¡¯t think I could do this without you.¡±


    Elise shot her a closed smile, her plump cheeks crinkling the corners of her eyes. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have stayed behind even if you¡¯d asked me to,¡± she said with mirth. ¡°You¡¯re my only friend.¡±


    Madelynn wrinkled her nose as she grinned back. ¡°And you are mine.¡±


    They shared a laugh as they continued on, passing carriages blissfully unaware of their presence.


    The trek through Daam was grueling, every crunch of leaves beneath their feet amplified by the fear of pursuit. The city buzzed with life in the distance, faintly carrying the sound of a bell marking midday. Elise led them with unerring confidence, weaving through alleyways and backstreets until the towering silhouette of Callum¡¯s modest townhouse came into view. Relief swelled in Madelynn¡¯s chest, but it was quickly smothered as the gravity of the situation pressed down on her.


    Her ankle throbbed with every step, but she forced herself forward. She had no idea what she was going to say to him, only that it had to be enough. Enough to keep him here. Enough to save her from th


    e nightmare waiting for her at home.

 Chapter 14

    Madelynn hesitated as they approached the door, her heart pounding heavily in her chest. Elise stopped a few paces behind her, giving her space but still offering a reassuring smile- too wide, too silly, and entirely Elise. It brought a watery laugh to Madelynn¡¯s lips, easing the tension just enough for her to take a shaky breath and raise her hand to knock.


    She hesitated once again before she knocked. What if this was a mistake? She didn¡¯t allow herself to dwell on the thought, rapping loudly on the door three times.


    The sound echoed in the quiet street and she felt her stomach twist painfully. Every second stretched endlessly as she waited. What if he wasn¡¯t even home? What if he¡¯d already left? He wouldn¡¯t be expected to up and leave this quickly, right?


    When the door finally creaked open, her breath hitched.


    Callum stood in the doorway, his frame shadowed against the dim light of the room behind him. His hair was wild, sticking up in uneven tufts, and dark circles underlined his bloodshot eyes. His house clothes were large and baggy, and he hunched forward as if his back ached. He looked utterly defeated, as though the weight of the world had finally broken him.


    There were a million words floating around in Madelynn¡¯s head, so many things left to say but so little time. They just stared at one another for a moment, and she felt the familiar sting of tears behind her eyes. This was likely the last time she¡¯d get to see him, to feel him, to tell him all the things she¡¯d wanted to.


    But instead, she lunged forward, crashing into him and wrapping her arms around his torso. He smelled like sweat, coffee, and something forestry as she buried her face in his chest. He went rigid, his muscles tightening and his back straightening, before he relaxed into her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and rested his chin on the top of her head.


    A single tear escaped past Madelynn¡¯s closed eyelids, and the dam broke. She sobbed silently into him, her body convulsing with every breath. Callum rubbed gentle circles into her back, and she felt him press his lips against her hair. ¡°I know,¡± he said quietly, his voice hoarse and painful sounding.


    Madelynn pulled back slightly, just enough to tilt her head up to look up at him. ¡°You can¡¯t leave,¡± she breathed out, her throat closing as she held back a wail. ¡°I can¡¯t lose you.¡±


    He forced a tight smile that didn¡¯t quite meet his eyes. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can do.¡± He blinked slowly, his eyes turning glassy when they opened again. ¡°I have orders.¡±


    ¡°There has to be something,¡± Madelynn said shakily as she brought her hands around to clutch at the front of his shirt.


    Callum just shook his head and pulled her into another hug. Madelynn closed her eyes and leaned into him. There had to be something- anything- a loophole of some kind that they could exploit. He couldn¡¯t just be ripped away from her like this.


    When he pulled away, his eyes flashed to Elise before he stepped back, one arm remaining around Madelynn¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Why don¡¯t you come in so we can talk,¡± he said, motioning for Madelynn to enter his house. ¡°Both of you,¡± he reiterated, making sure Elise heard him.


    Madelynn glanced back at Elise, who clutched her bag in front of her as she took a weary step forward. She and Callum waited for Elise to pass through the door, then Madelynn followed her in. Callum pushed the door closed behind him.


    Madelynn blinked rapidly, trying to force her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. The house was small, but homely. It had a small kitchen with a short ice box and a large range taking up most of the space. The living area had a sofa and small table, with a bookshelf near a door leading to the open bathroom. There was one more closed door, presumably leading to the bedroom.


    Callum padded past the girls and collapsed back onto the sofa. ¡°Feel free to sit,¡± he said flatly. All the spirit had left his voice, as if he was a husk of the man Madelynn had spent her previous evening with.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Madelynn nodded and sat gingerly next to him, and Elise next to her. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. What was she supposed to say? He seemed so hopeless, so defeated. He was supposed to save her, but how could he do that when he couldn¡¯t even save himself?


    ¡°I like your house,¡± Elise chimed in, breaking the silence that had fallen over them. A longing smile decorated her youthful features as she kicked her feet idly. ¡°It¡¯s cozy.¡±


    Callum scoffed, slumping forward to rest his elbows on his knees. In the baggy clothes he looked slim and lanky, a stark contradiction to his pristine uniform. ¡°It¡¯s what they gave me when I was promoted to General.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s eyes still wept as she watched him. She couldn¡¯t tell if he was broken because of the assignment or because of Casimir. Perhaps both. Then, a realization dawned on her and she furrowed her brows, feeling sick. Oh god, Casimir was probably the reason he was placed on the Vanguard. This was all Madelynn¡¯s fault. He¡¯d promised to save her and she¡¯d damned him.


    Guilt overwhelmed her and she struggled to maintain her composure. She had to stay strong. She had to find a way to stop him from leaving.


    She sniffled, and reached her hand out to touch his. He twitched, pulling back for a second before relaxing into her touch. She entwined their fingers and, when she looked up at him, he was already staring at her. ¡°What can I do to convince you to stay?¡±


    He frowned, turning away from her and leaning back so he stared up at the ceiling. He adjusted his legs so his knee bumped against her thigh and she leaned into him. She rested her head on his shoulder, the intimacy feeling completely out of place but comforting all the same. ¡°If I don¡¯t go, I¡¯ll be executed for treason. If I do, I¡¯ll be killed on the battlefield. I¡¯m stuck, Madelynn.¡± He sounded like he was on the verge of tears.


    She breathed heavily against his neck as she drew her legs upward and curled into herself. She was freezing, like all the heat had been forced out of her when the guilt settled in. ¡°Isn¡¯t there some sort of loophole?¡±


    He just shook his head, his white hair tickling Madelynn¡¯s cheeks.


    ¡°There¡¯s gotta be something,¡± Elise said suddenly, leaning forward so her eyes could dart between the two of them. ¡°Or else, what would stop all those cheating husbands from being sent away to die when they were caught flirting with someone else¡¯s wife?¡±


    ¡°They were already married,¡± Callum responded, his voice devoid of any emotion. ¡°The King won¡¯t let his men be placed in the Vanguard if there¡¯s a possibility they¡¯ll supply the future military with more boys.¡±


    ¡°Wait-¡± Madelynn sat up, shaking her head. It couldn¡¯t be that easy. ¡°If you¡¯re married, they won¡¯t send you away?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I¡¯m not married. Obviously.¡±


    Madelynn blinked at him. ¡°No, you saucepot! Marry me!¡± After the words left her, she snapped her mouth closed. Did she really just say that? She hadn¡¯t just said that. She couldn¡¯t have. She just stepped away from a courtship, she certainly didn¡¯t want to enter another. But, if it was the only option¡­ She didn¡¯t let herself debate it any longer. If this is what it would take for her to not be tied to Casimir or her family any longer, she¡¯d marry him. He was a good man, and she certainly had feelings toward him, but she also was not in love with him.


    He tilted his head down to wince at her. ¡°Marry you?¡± he asked, as if the notion was horrifying. ¡°What could possibly drive you toward a marriage with someone like me?¡±


    ¡°Callum, I am trying to save your life,¡± she over-enunciated. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what my motives are, I don¡¯t want you to die.¡±


    His eyes searched her, dancing around her face as if searching for a cruel joke to emerge. Madelynn clenched her jaw, willing him to agree. Then his eyes dropped and his head lulled back once again. ¡°I told you I would protect you. Marrying you will just throw you into a new life of misery.¡±


    She reached out and wrapped her hands around his arm. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t save me, but it would save you. Please, Callum. You can¡¯t protect anyone if you¡¯re dead.¡±


    He stayed silent for a moment. Madelynn wondered if she¡¯d offended him somehow, but she couldn¡¯t imagine that vouching for one¡¯s life could be taken as an insult. Then, he slowly raised his head again and glared at her, the determination glowing in his silver eyes. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious about this.¡±


    Madelynn breathed shakily, trying to hold back another flood of tears. ¡°I have never been more serious about anything. We could leave today- now even. There¡¯s a chapel a few towns over in Roland. My parents were wed there. All we¡¯d have to do is tell the Rector I fell pregnant and he¡¯d marry us immediately. We even have a witness.¡± She turned and looked toward Elise, who just gaped back at her.


    ¡°You¡¯d truly marry me? I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯d throw your life away for me.¡± He stared at her in bewilderment, as if he wasn¡¯t her entire world in this moment. As if he wasn¡¯t the only person alive who¡¯d ever seen her as anything but a bargaining chip.


    ¡°I would marry you a thousand times if it meant I didn¡¯t have to wake up every morning wondering if you¡¯d died yet. Please, Callum, marry me.¡± Was she any better than Casimir? Than her parents? Using marriage for her personal gain. She felt sick, but this was her only option. Wasn¡¯t his life worth it?


    He furrowed his brows and shook his head again, bringing a hand up to scrub at his eyes. When he finally looked at her again, his eyes were watery and his cheeks were blushed. ¡°Okay,¡± he said softly. ¡°Let¡¯s get married.¡±

 Chapter 15

    Madelynn let out a sigh of relief and collapsed against Callum, resting her forehead against his arm. ¡°Thank you,¡± she breathed out, her chest heavy. Marriage wasn¡¯t only going to keep him from being sent away to die, it kept her away from Casimir. For the time being, at least. Her parents would likely disown her, but that didn¡¯t matter much if she was going to be a Whitlock.


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me.¡± His voice was still monotone, as if the prospect of marriage hadn¡¯t affected him at all. ¡°You¡¯re ruining your life by doing this. You¡¯re throwing away your nobility.¡±


    She tightened her hold on his arm, worried he might stand up and walk away from her forever. ¡°I don¡¯t care about my nobility. I¡¯ve never cared about it- in fact, I¡¯ve spent most of my life despising it. I care about you. I care about the way you make me feel.¡± She frowned as she felt her eyes well with tears again. The thought of losing him was devastating in the most selfish way. If he was gone, she was nothing. She¡¯d thrown her life away for a fleeting moment with him, and destroyed his in the process. She thought back to his trembling hands, and the way he¡¯d pulled away from her when she¡¯d tried to hold his hand earlier. Casimir had likely done something unspeakable to him. All because of her.


    He brought his other hand up to tangle in her hair as tears dripped down his arm. ¡°This is not a smart move on your part.¡±


    He had no clue. If only he knew what her other options were. If he did, he¡¯d likely throw her out on the streets. She was no better than those she despised the most. ¡°If our roles were reversed, you¡¯d do the same for me.¡±


    The couch shifted, and Elise cleared her throat. Madelynn shot up and turned to look at her, now standing uncomfortably. She rocked back and forth on her feet and twisted the bag in her hands. ¡°I really hate to interrupt, but if you¡¯re planning on a wedding today, we should probably leave relatively soon.¡± She didn¡¯t look at them, her eyes darting everywhere except the couch, and her cheeks were bright red with embarrassment. ¡°Roland is a three hour ride from here.¡±


    Madelynn nodded. She was right. She¡¯d let her emotions get the better of her. This wasn¡¯t the time to feel sad, they needed to get moving. She squeezed Callum¡¯s arm one last time before she stood as well, flattening her shirt with her palms.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go and get dressed.¡± Callum pushed off the couch and swayed once he was standing, clamping his eyes shut in a grimace as he steadied himself. ¡°I¡¯ll be ready in a moment.¡±


    He didn¡¯t spare them another glance before he turned away from them and made his way into the bedroom. Once he¡¯d closed the door behind him, Elise let out a long sigh, her shoulders drooping. ¡°Maddie!¡± she whispered, clutching at Madelynn¡¯s arm. ¡°He¡¯s so cute.¡±


    Madelynn rolled her eyes. ¡°Of course that¡¯s what you¡¯d notice.¡± But, she couldn¡¯t help the smile that crept up the edges of her mouth.


    ¡°Are you really going to marry him?¡± Elise¡¯s eyes were wide with intrigue, that same goofy smile pulling at her lips.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t joking around, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re asking. He was going to be killed, what other choice do I have?¡± Her throat was raw, likely from all the crying she¡¯d been doing lately. ¡°If I don¡¯t, I¡¯ll be married off to Casimir, which would be a death sentence all on its own. It¡¯s a strategically intelligent conclusion to come to.¡±


    ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Elise¡¯s lips drew into a thin line. ¡°I¡¯m sure those tears were all strategy, as well?¡±


    Madelynn rolled her head back on her shoulders, gaping up at the ceiling. ¡°Shut up.¡±


    Just then, Callum reimerged from the bedroom. His hair was still a disaster, and he still had horrible bags under his eyes, but he now wore a pair of white trousers and a coffee-toned button up. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, likely weighed down with extra clothes.


    ¡°Are you planning on a long trip?¡± Madelynn asked as she watched him walk past her toward the bookshelf. He gathered a few books and placed them in his bag before carrying on his back once again.


    He furrowed his brow at her. ¡°Are you not?¡± All the charm and humor had been drained from him, and in their place was only resignation. ¡°We can¡¯t come back here.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± she snapped, and he flinched at that before setting his jaw and glaring at her.


    ¡°If Casimir finds out we¡¯re married, our lives will become a living hell.¡± He walked past her and into the bathroom, where he fumbled around as he gathered more items. ¡°I¡¯ll figure out our living situation after we¡¯ve exchanged vows. I¡¯ll also have to talk to my commanding officers about changing placement. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll put me on paperwork or something otherwise as tedious.¡±


    He joined them in the main area once again. He looked and sounded so frustrated. Madelynn¡¯s belly swirled and knotted. Was marrying her truly such a horrible thing? Was she doing the wrong thing? She just looked down at her feet and focused on not crying again.


    ¡°The carriage is out back,¡± Callum said flatly, and started toward the kitchen.


    ¡°Come on, Maddie.¡± Elise grabbed Madelynn¡¯s arm and lead her in the direction Callum had gone. They passed through the kitchen and out the back door. The carriage was waiting a few feet from the door, but there was no horse attached to it.


    Madelynn and Elise both stood still, studying it. Surely, there must have been a horse and rider hiding somewhere nearby.


    ¡°It¡¯s charmed,¡± Callum said, as if that was the most obvious piece of information he¡¯d given out today. ¡°It knows where we¡¯re going.¡±


    He didn¡¯t explain further and Madelynn was too exhausted to ask. Elise was the first one to enter through the side door and plop down on the bench. Madelynn followed, then Callum. He pulled the door closed then sat opposite Madelynn, his face unreadable.


    Once they were settled, the carriage moved, slowly at first as it found its way toward the street, then picked up speed until it was moving at the same pace as a typical horse-drawn carriage, if not a bit faster.


    ¡°This is wicked,¡± Elise commented, her eyes scanning the small room. ¡°I just started studying Essence, and I haven¡¯t even gotten to charms yet, but this is fantastic.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Callum just offered a lazy smirk in response before leaning back, letting his head fall back as well. His fingers tightened around his knees and his chest heaved with silent breaths. What was he feeling? Was he disgusted? Relieved? Angry? The Callum she knew before felt like a distant memory. Whatever Casimir had been trying to accomplish, it seemed that he¡¯d been successful. Anything that Madelynn and Callum had before was gone, erased by a marriage proposal neither of them could afford to turn down.


    The cab fell silent, and Madelynn reached out and gave Elise¡¯s hand a squeeze. Even if Callum grew to hate her, at least he was alive. And she¡¯d always have Elise, no matter what. They¡¯d been together since Elise was born, when Madelynn was freshly three. She was the child of one of the kitchen staff, and she was raised alongside Madelynn until she¡¯d learned to read and write. Then Madelynn took her on as her handmaiden, though it had never been a one-sided dynamic. Before anything, they were friends. The best of friends, really, and she prayed that would never change.


    They sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. Madelynn¡¯s thoughts spiraled, from the impending wedding, to her parents, to Callum¡¯s thoughts, to Elise and whether she was even content in uprooting her life for Madelynn, and to Casimir and whether they were simply falling into a trap.


    However, the silence was broken when Elise¡¯s head rolled back and she let out a long, deep snore. The sound echoed through the small cabin, and Madelynn bit her lip to hold back a laugh. She¡¯d always snored when they were children, but never like this. They hadn¡¯t slept in the same room for so long, the thought never even crossed Madelynn¡¯s mind.


    Callum¡¯s head snapped up and his eyes landed on Elise. A slow smile tugged at his lips until his dimples were peeking out. ¡°There¡¯s no way such a monstrous sound came from that tiny girl.¡±


    Madelynn matched his smile, relieved at the break in tension. ¡°When we were little, I used to fall asleep, trying to stay as still as possible, pretending she was a growling bear.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fantastic,¡± Callum chuckled out, though the sound was forced rather than the low, hearty laugh he¡¯d had before.


    The carriage jolted as the wheels dipped into a pothole. Callum winced, gripping his side. Madelynn leaned forward, instinctively reaching out, but she hesitated before reeling back in. She didn¡¯t want to overstep and undo any progress they¡¯d made toward friendliness again.


    Elise didn¡¯t rouse, but instead smacked her lips and mumbled something incoherent.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Madelynn asked, her tone hushed but urgent. He looked to be in a great deal of pain, even as the tension lifted from his face. He continued to rub at his side as he straightened and rolled his shoulders.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said sharply. Then, he leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees, planting his face in his hands. ¡°Madelynn, why are you doing this?¡± he mumbled into his open palms.


    ¡°Doing what?¡± she asked, though the words came out more defensively than she¡¯d intended. ¡°Going through with the marriage?¡±


    He nodded, and lifted his head to look at her, resting his chin in his hands. ¡°I asked you to come and say good-bye to me so I could go off and die knowing you were safe, or at least well taken care of. I didn¡¯t mean to guilt you into marrying me.¡±


    Madelynn exhaled shakily, not quite sure if she¡¯d heard him correctly. ¡°Callum, I asked you to marry me, remember? And there¡¯s no way you honestly believed I could just let you die, right?¡± That was a painful thought. Did he truly think so little of himself?


    ¡°I think you¡¯re severely overestimating the life I will be able to give you.¡± He looked so sad. As if his life was reduced to this moment alone. Why was he suddenly so adamant that he couldn¡¯t be enough for her?


    ¡°And what kind of life do you think I want? One of happiness? Of knowing my husband loves me for who I am? That¡¯s all I want.¡± She gnawed on her thumb nail as she mulled over her words. They were true, but they felt like poisoned lies falling from her mouth. If he loved her, like his letter said, she would never forgive herself.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know me, Madelynn. You haven¡¯t seen what war does to men. This isn¡¯t a happy life that you¡¯re walking into.¡±


    ¡°Why are you trying so hard to convince me that saving you is a mistake?¡± she snapped, bunching her hands into fists. ¡°Is it not enough that I care for you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not!¡± he bellowed back, before sighing and leaning back looking defeated all over again. He sat silently for a moment, his jaw clenching and unclenching as his hands trembled in his lap. ¡°I will never be able to give you the life you deserve. You will always live in Casimir¡¯s shadow. He will never let this go.¡±


    Madelynn scrubbed her hands over her face. She had to tell him. If she didn¡¯t tell him now, she never would, and she¡¯d live a life of regret. ¡°He came to my house,¡± she blurted, still covering her eyes in shame. ¡°My parents were going to force me to marry him.¡±


    His face scrunched in confusion. ¡°What?¡± He shook his head, his hair flying around wildly. ¡°Say that again?¡±


    Madelynn sighed, slumping forward. She looked him in the eyes as she spoke, forcing herself to face the consequences of her actions head on. ¡°He came to my house to negotiate the terms of our courtship with my parents. Elise showed me your letter after I found all this out, I promise. We ran from my parents house after that.¡± Her breath hitched in her throat as tears threatened her resolve once again. ¡°I swear, I had no clue he had anything to do with you being sent away. All I knew was that I couldn¡¯t lose you when you were all I had left.¡±


    Callum just stared at her, his face emotionless. Then he licked his lips and cocked his head to the side. ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me that after all that, you came to the ever so logical decision to marry me? Are you daft?¡±


    ¡°Are you listening to what I¡¯m saying? I was going to be married off to him, and you¡¯d be dead. What logical decision would you have made if you were in my position?¡±


    Callum¡¯s hands came up to cover his mouth. ¡°You are an idiot,¡± he said plainly, and Madelynn scowled back at him. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just run away? Go fuck off to some other city across the country. You¡¯re a beautiful girl, you could¡¯ve found some wealthy Lord to take you in.¡±


    Madelynn wanted to scream. Why wasn¡¯t he understanding what she was trying to say? ¡°I don¡¯t know how many different ways I can say this to you before I lose my mind.¡± She reached out and pulled his hands into hers. He tensed, but didn¡¯t fight her. She pulled him forward until they were eye to eye. She spoke slowly and deliberately, her eyes trained on his. ¡°I cannot live a life without you in it. You are the only person who has ever seen me as anything besides a bargaining piece in some twisted game of marriage and politics, and I will gladly throw away any life some wealthy Lord could offer me so I can spend my life feeling the way I did when you told me my personality was the least appealing thing about me.¡±


    He closed his eyes, but his lips quivered and he breathed out shakily- and for a moment, Madelynn thought he would burst into tears. Instead, he sat up a little straighter as a smile grew across his lips. ¡°I don¡¯t believe that¡¯s exactly how I worded it.¡± He chuckled, low and breathy, and Madelynn let out a huge sigh of relief, slumping forward until her head was in her lap.


    ¡°So can you please stop acting like I¡¯m doing some horrible crime against humanity by marrying you? This is what I want, and nothing you can say will change that.¡±


    His hands pulled away from hers and came to grip the sides of her face, pulling her up to look at him. He was smiling still, but it was softer. Kinder. It was the Callum she knew. ¡°If this is truly what you want,¡± he started, shifting forward until he was sliding off the bench. Madelynn gawked at him. What the hell was he doing? ¡°Then, let me ask you what I¡¯ve been wanting to since I watched you tear into that Young Man on the dance floor.¡± He fell forward onto his knees and gripped one of her hands in both of his. She stared down at him, her belly swirling. ¡°Madelynn Hawtrey, will you marry me?¡±


    Her mouth fell open and she gasped. ¡°Oh, this is so sudden! What will my parents think?¡± His head fell forward as he laughed, and she waited until he¡¯d regained his composure to give him her answer. She bit her lip as his eyes met hers once again. ¡°Callum Whitlock, I would be honored to be your wife.¡±


    He grinned up at her, as if they could pretend this was all fine, but all she felt was dread. Even as she carried on with him, laughing and joking, all she could think about was how little he knew. That her decisions weren¡¯t made out of love, but desperation. She was a self serving, manipulating little whore, and that was all she would ever be.

 Chapter 16

    The trip to Roland was long and uncomfortable, and Callum had finally moved to sit next to Madelynn.  They dozed, her head on his shoulder, as she lied to herself about happy promises and brighter futures.


    Elise roused as they passed the town¡¯s border and the road changed from dirt to stone.  ¡°Aw,¡± she cooed when she picked her head up and her gaze found Madelynn and Callum cuddling.  ¡°See?  I told you true love persists.¡±


    Madelynn cringed, lifting her head up to glare at her.  ¡°I¡¯m going to ignore that,¡± she said in a hushed tone, hoping not to wake Callum.  ¡°We¡¯re in town now.  I wonder how far the carriage is going to take us.¡±  She glanced out the window.  Roland was a miserable little town.  It was home to the poor and unfortunate: prostitutes, gamblers, widows, and bastards.  But, it had one of the only churches in Malyre that would perform weddings without parental consent.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Elise asked her, offering a pitiful smile.


    Madelynn sighed, closing her eyes.  ¡°I feel like I¡¯m going to explode and vomit and burst into flames all at the same time.¡±


    Elise reached out and squeezed her hand.  ¡°I¡¯ll be here with you the whole way.  Just tell me how I can help.¡±


    Madelynn stretched her lips into a thin smile.  ¡°Thank you, Elise.¡±  She huffed and turned to Callum, his eyes darting around behind closed eyelids.  ¡°I suppose I should wake him.¡±


    ¡°By the way-¡± Elise smiled deviously- ¡°what happened between you two?  When I fell asleep, you definitely were not on cuddling terms.¡±


    Madelynn shook her head and puffed out her cheeks in embarrassment.  ¡°I¡¯ll explain later.¡±  She watched Callum for just a moment.  He looked so tense, even at rest.  Did he ever relax?  She placed a hand on his arm and shook him gently.


    His eyes shot open and he pushed himself up with a gasp.  ¡°What?¡± he said sharpy, his eyes searching the carriage until they landed on Madelynn and he relaxed slightly.  ¡°Oh, sorry.¡±


    ¡°Everything okay?¡± Madelynn asked, her eyes wide.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said in a pinched tone, and pushed himself back to sit up straight.  ¡°Are we nearly there?¡±  He winced as he stretched his back.


    ¡°We¡¯re in Roland,¡± Madelynn said as she glanced out the window.  ¡°But I¡¯m not sure where the carriage is taking us.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll find the church,¡± he said flatly.


    (I¡¯m totally losing momentum on this scene- I¡¯m skipping ahead to them arriving at the church)


    The chapel doors groaned as they swung open, the sound reverberating through the empty space. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the stone walls, and the faint scent of wax and aged wood hung in the air.


    Madelynn hesitated at the threshold, her heart hammering in her chest. This was it. The point of no return.Callum stepped in first, his movements stiff, his jaw clenched. Elise hovered behind, her hand resting lightly on Madelynn¡¯s back, a silent encouragement to move forward.


    At the altar, the Rector raised his head, his eyes narrowing as he studied them. His robes seemed to absorb the light, his presence towering and severe.


    ¡°Who comes seeking the sanctity of marriage at this hour?¡± His voice, deep and resonant, echoed in the stillness.


    Callum glanced at Madelynn, his expression unreadable. Then, with a stiff nod, he stepped forward. ¡°Callum Whitlock,¡± he said, his voice steady but devoid of warmth.


    ¡°And you?¡± The Rector¡¯s gaze shifted to Madelynn, his sharp eyes pinning her in place.


    ¡°Madelynn Hawtrey,¡± she said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    The Rector studied her for a long moment, the weight of his gaze pressing down on her. ¡°And what brings you here, seeking union under such urgency?¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Madelynn opened her mouth, but her throat closed. Her hands trembled at her sides, and she felt the weight of Callum¡¯s silence beside her.


    She swallowed hard, forcing the words out. ¡°We¡­ need to be married,¡± she said, her voice cracking.


    The Rector¡¯sbrows drew together. ¡°Need?¡± he repeated, his tone sharp. ¡°Marriage is a sacred bond, not a solution to desperation.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s heart sank. ¡°Please,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m with child.¡±


    The words echoed in the silence, harsh and jarring. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to look at Callum.


    The Rector¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°You claim this, yet you speak with hesitation. Is this the truth, or a lie born of fear?¡±


    Callum stepped forward, his shoulders tense. ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± he said, his voice low but firm.


    The Rector¡¯s eyes lingered on him, then on Madelynn. The silence stretched unbearably, every second a crushing weight.


    Finally, the Rector exhaled, the sound heavy with reluctance. ¡°Very well. Step forward.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s legs felt like lead as she approached the altar, Callum at her side. The Rector motioned for Elise to stay where she was but turned to address her.


    ¡°As their witness, do you have any objections to this union?¡±


    Elise straightened, clutching her bag tightly. ¡°No objections, sir,¡± she said, her voice clear.


    The Rector nodded, his eyes scanning the three of them with a scrutiny that made Madelynn feel like her skin was being peeled back. ¡°Do you have rings to exchange?¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s stomach dropped. Rings. Of course. Why hadn¡¯t she thought of that? She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Beside her, Callum shifted uncomfortably, his silence heavier than ever.


    ¡°I¡­ we¡­¡± Madelynn stammered, her voice barely audible.


    The Rector¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°No rings, then?¡±


    Elise, who had been standing back, stepped forward in a sudden burst of motion. ¡°Wait!¡± she said, her voice bright and strained. She fumbled with her bag, pulling out a small spool of thread. Her fingers worked quickly, twisting and knotting the thread into two small, uneven loops. ¡°Here,¡± she said, her voice breathless as she offered them to the Rector. ¡°It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯s something.¡±


    The Rector raised a single brow, taking the makeshift rings with deliberate care. He examined them for a moment, then handed one to Madelynn and the other to Callum. ¡°A humble gesture,¡± he said, his tone unreadable. ¡°Sometimes, the strongest bonds are the simplest.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s fingers trembled as she accepted the delicate thread loop. It felt impossibly fragile, as if it might snap at any moment¡ªjust like her.


    The Rector raised his hands, the motion commanding immediate silence. His voice shifted, taking on a rhythmic cadence as he began to speak in the ancient tongue of the Essence. The words vibrated in the air, heavy and resonant, carrying a weight far beyond their meaning.


    Madelynn¡¯s breath caught. She didn¡¯t know what the words meant, but they settled over her like an incantation, binding her to the moment. She glanced at Callum, who stood rigid beside her, his jaw tight and his shoulders squared.


    The Rector¡¯s voice softened as he turned to Callum. ¡°Do you, Callum Whitlock, take Madelynn Hawtrey to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, to protect and to honor, from this day forth and forevermore?¡±


    Callum¡¯s gaze locked onto hers. For a moment, the tension between them shifted, softened, as if they were the only two people in the world. ¡°I do,¡± he said, his voice steady but low, the words carrying an unspoken gravity.


    The Rector¡¯s gaze turned to Madelynn, and her heart thundered in her chest. ¡°And do you, Madelynn Hawtrey, take Callum Whitlock to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, to support and to honor, from this day forth and forevermore?¡±


    The words hung in the air, suffocating her. The thread ring in her hand felt unbearably light, yet it anchored her to every choice she had made to reach this moment. She glanced at Callum, whose eyes hadn¡¯t left her.


    ¡°I do,¡± she whispered, the words barely audible but carrying every ounce of her resolve.


    The Rector lowered his hands, his expression softening for the first time. ¡°By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife¡ªMr. and Mrs. Callum Whitlock.¡± He stepped back, folding his hands in front of him. ¡°You may seal your vows with a kiss.¡±


    Madelynn froze, her breath catching in her throat. The world seemed to narrow, the edges blurring as Callum turned toward her.


    His movements were slow, deliberate, as though he was giving her every chance to back away. His hand lifted, cupping her cheek, and for a moment, the warmth of his touch made the rest of the world fall away.


    The kiss was soft, tender¡ªhesitant at first but growing in surety. It wasn¡¯t desperate or demanding; it was a promise, quiet and unspoken.


    Madelynn felt her heart twist painfully, and for a fleeting moment, she forgot the lies, the desperation, the weight of the vows. It was just Callum¡ªCallum and the way he held her as though she were the only thing tethering him to the earth.


    When he pulled away, the silence was deafening. Callum stepped back, his hand falling to his side, and the weight of reality crashed down on them both.


    ¡°That was a dazzling ceremony, Sir and Lady Whitlock,¡± Elise said, breaking the silence with her usual cheer. She clapped her hands together, her grin wide enough to fill the empty chapel.


    Madelynn exhaled shakily, her heart heavy and her mind spinning. They were married.


    And nothing would ever be the same.

 Chapter 17

    The chill of spring air bit at Madelynn¡¯s skin as they all waited outside the chapel. They were all on edge, fighting against the palpable tension building between them.  Callum paced, pinching the bridge of his nose, Madelynn stared down at her feet, and Elise fidgeted with her bag, chewing on her bottom lip.


    ¡°So,¡± Elise finally drew out, ¡°what are we supposed to do now?¡±


    Madelynn turned to glare at her, and she just shrugged innocently.


    Callum dropped his hands to his side and blinked, as if still processing the recent events.  ¡°I need to find a nearby inn, then I¡¯ll contact my superiors about the¡­ change in circumstances.¡±  He refused to look at Madelynn, instead staring at the carriage- which was still awaiting them where they¡¯d left it.  ¡°After that, I¡¯ll send a letter to my parents.  They live on a small farm in Thelm- on the other side of the country.  They¡¯ll take you in, and you¡¯ll be safe with them.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Madelynn frowned at him, and he just raised an eyebrow, looking everywhere except her.  ¡°You¡¯d be coming with, right?¡±


    He just shook his head, his lips pursing in thought.  ¡°I¡¯ll have to support us.  Daam is the military hub of Malyre.  I already have a home in my name, I¡¯ll save my pay until we can afford to buy a home.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s frown deepened, and she cocked her head to the side.  ¡°What?  And undo everything we just went through?  If you go back to Daam, you¡¯ll be thrusting yourself straight back into Casimir¡¯s grasp!¡±


    Callum finally turned to look at her, but his eyes were angry- a fury she¡¯d never seen in him before.  ¡°And what else do you expect me to do?¡± he blundered.  ¡°I told you I cannot support you.  I am not a wealthy man, I do not have a wealthy family, and I do not have the means to change either of those things.  What I can do is everything in my power to make sure you don¡¯t feel the burden of being married to a man with nothing to his name.¡±


    ¡°How many times am I going to have to reassure you?¡± Madelynn screeched back, stomping her foot in frustration.  ¡°I don¡¯t care if we have nothing.  I don¡¯t care if I have to spend my days working in a field or knitting scarves for hospitals, all I want is a life spent knowing you¡¯re safe.¡±


    Callum shook his head, his expression indifferent.  ¡°I am a General in the King¡¯s Military, Madelynn.  There is no safe.  If you want to make anything out of your life, you must let me do what I need to.¡±


    Madelynn sighed, scrubbing a hand across her face.  ¡°If you¡¯re just going to thrust yourself back into the belly of the beast, then what was the point of this?  I married you to ensure your safety, because I-¡±  She took a breath and blinked, steadying herself against the words on the tip of her tongue, ¡°because I need you.¡±


    He let out a breathy chuckle- mocking, rather than humor.  ¡°How are you still so naive?¡± he asked, and Madelynn scowled.  ¡°Have you listened to a single word I¡¯ve said?  Casimir will always be there.  He will never stop until he has what he wants.  You have no clue how ruthless he is.¡±


    ¡°I am not naive!¡± Madelynn shouted.  ¡°So what if he finds us?  We¡¯ll train- we¡¯ll get stronger so he can¡¯t hurt you.¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Callum inhaled sharply, tilting his head back to glare at the sky as though the sun itself might offer salvation. Then, without warning, he stepped forward, gripping her shoulders with a force that made her gasp. His face was so close she could feel the heat of his breath as his words cut through her like a blade.


    ¡°He will find us, no matter where we go. No matter how far we run or how strong we get, Casimir will always have the upper hand because he will do whatever it takes¡ªdo you understand that? Whatever. It. Takes. And when he can¡¯t use me, he¡¯ll use you. He¡¯ll strip you down piece by piece until there¡¯s nothing left of you but your screams.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s knees wobbled under his words, but she steeled herself, her hands tightening into fists at her sides. ¡°Then we¡¯ll find a way,¡± she whispered, though her voice trembled. She looked up into his stormy silver eyes, desperate to find some flicker of hope. ¡°We¡¯ll make it work. We have to.¡±


    Callum¡¯s grip loosened, and for a moment, she thought she¡¯d gotten through to him. But then he shook his head, stepping back like he couldn¡¯t stand to be near her. ¡°This union doesn¡¯t change anything,¡± he muttered bitterly, motioning to the twine wrapped around his finger. ¡°If you thought it would, then you¡¯ve made a terrible mistake.¡±


    Her stomach twisted at his words, each syllable dripping with resignation. Maybe he¡¯s right, she thought, her heart sinking under the weight of doubt. But then she clenched her fists, forcing herself to breathe. No. He was wrong. She married him to save him, and would not let this be a mistake.


    He turned and he stormed toward the carriage, his steps faltered, just for a moment. He caught himself quickly, his hand rubbing at his side.


    A moment passed, and Madelynn wondered if he might leave without her and Elise.  But, the carriage remained still, and Elise turned to face Madelynn with a pinched gaze.


    ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with him,¡± she said, her tone serious and unwavering.


    ¡°I¡¯d say!¡± Madelynn barked out, shaking her head.  ¡°I don¡¯t understand how to make him understand.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Elise took a step toward Madelynn, gripping her wrist as she leaned in close to speak in a hushed tone.  ¡°I can feel it in his Essence,¡± Elise said, her voice low. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ off. It¡¯s been off since we arrived at his house, but now it¡¯s worse¡ªlike something is eating away at him.¡±


    Madelynn furrowed her brow. ¡°Eating away at him? What does that mean?¡±


    Elise hesitated, glancing toward the carriage as if Callum might overhear. ¡°It¡¯s hard to explain, but it¡¯s dark. Heavy. Like he¡¯s been marked.¡±


    Madelynn furrowed her brow, her mind drawing up a memory from one of their past conversations.  ¡°He mentioned once that Casimir had some kind of dark Essence, and that he¡¯d left little bits of it inside Callum.  Could it be that?¡±


    Elise shook her head, not even phased by the information that had shaken Madelynn when she¡¯d first heard it.  ¡°No, but there¡¯s definitely something dark going on.  I¡¯d need to examine him, but if I was a gambling woman, I¡¯d bet there¡¯s something ritualistic going on here.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±  Madelynn took a step back from Elise, the words feeling like a betrayal.  ¡°He wouldn¡¯t do something like that.¡±


    Elise rolled her eyes, diffusing some of the rising tension between them.  ¡°I¡¯m not saying he did anything.  I¡¯m saying, there¡¯s likely something vile at play here.  I don¡¯t know anything about Casimir or what he does, but if he¡¯s willing to risk everything to make sure Callum doesn¡¯t run, I¡¯d bet he¡¯s got some chains around Callum¡¯s throat.  He wouldn¡¯t risk letting him leave without a kill switch.¡±


    A wave of dread washed over Madelynn, and she felt like vomiting again.  ¡°If that¡¯s true, what does that mean?¡±


    Elise turned to stare toward the carriage with a grim expression.  ¡°It means we need to figure out exactly what¡¯s ailing him before it leaves a permanent stain on his soul.¡±


    ¡°A stain on his soul,¡± Madelynn whispered, the words sticking in her throat. Her mind raced, each thought more terrifying than the last. If what Elise said was true, then everything they¡¯d done- the marriage, the escape- meant nothing. Casimir still held the strings, and Callum was the puppet.

 Chapter 18

    The silence was oppressive in the small cabin¡ªthe only sound was the enchanted carriage¡¯s wheels catching on rocks and potholes. Callum sat opposite Madelynn, his posture rigid and his gaze locked on the passing scenery outside the window. His jaw clenched and unclenched rhythmically, as though grinding his frustration into dust. Elise sat beside Madelynn, bouncing her foot and chewing the inside of her cheek. Her hands fidgeted endlessly with the straps of her bag, the motion setting Madelynn¡¯s nerves further on edge.


    Madelynn leaned forward, her elbows digging into her knees, her face buried in her hands. The weight of everything pressed on her chest like a stone. Married. She was married. The word echoed in her mind, twisting with Callum¡¯s coldness and the bitterness that had laced every word he¡¯d spoken since the ceremony. She had hoped for relief, maybe even a hint of gratitude, but his demeanor was distant, almost hostile.


    She dropped her hands with an audible sigh, the sound breaking the uneasy silence like a crack of thunder. Both Callum and Elise turned toward her, Callum with a sharp glare and Elise with wide-eyed concern.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± she asked, her voice strained with irritation.


    ¡°The carriage is taking us to the nearest inn,¡± Callum replied flatly, not even glancing at her. His tone was as icy as the air outside. He kept his gaze fixed on the window, as though the bleak countryside held all the answers.


    Madelynn¡¯s hands curled into fists. The distance between them was unbearable. ¡°If you knew you were going to be so miserable,¡± she muttered, ¡°then why did you agree to this marriage?¡±


    Callum¡¯s head snapped toward her, his silver eyes gleaming with barely restrained anger. ¡°As if I had a choice.¡± His voice was sharp, each word cutting like glass.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve refused,¡± she shot back, her voice rising despite herself. ¡°You didn¡¯t. You never said you didn¡¯t want this.¡±


    He scoffed, a hollow, humorless sound. ¡°Refused? And do what instead? March off to my death? That would have solved everything, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not fair,¡± Madelynn snapped. ¡°You agreed. Don¡¯t act like I¡¯m the villain for trying to save your life.¡±


    ¡°Save my life?¡± he repeated, his voice dripping with disbelief. ¡°You didn¡¯t save my life, Madelynn. You tied it to yours. And for what? So you wouldn¡¯t have to face the consequences of your own actions?¡±


    The accusation hit her like a slap. Her breath caught, and her mind scrambled to process his words. ¡°What- what are you talking about?¡± she stammered.


    He leaned forward, his expression fierce and unrelenting. ¡°You wanted an escape. From your parents, from Casimir, from whatever corner you trapped yourself in. And I was convenient. You saw how easily I fell for you on that balcony, and you used it against me.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s heart twisted painfully. ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± she whispered, but her voice lacked conviction. Was it true? She hadn¡¯t forced him into anything, but had her desperation manipulated the situation?


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± Callum¡¯s voice softened, but his words carried a bitter edge. ¡°You needed a way out, and I was stupid enough to hand it to you. Don¡¯t act like this is some noble act of love.¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Elise¡¯s voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a blade. Madelynn snapped her gaze toward her as she leaned forward, her expression fierce as she glared at Callum. ¡°You didn¡¯t see her, Callum. Every time she thought she¡¯d lost you.. Do you know how many nights I found her crying herself to sleep? Do you have any idea what this has done to her?¡±


    Callum flinched, his gaze dropping to the floor. ¡°Elise-¡± he started, but she wasn¡¯t finished.


    ¡°No! You¡¯re being cruel,¡± Elise snapped. ¡°You don¡¯t get to sit there and accuse her of using you when you have no idea what she¡¯s been through. I saw your letter, too.  You were just as desperate as she was.  You would likely be dead by now if it wasn¡¯t for this marriage, so maybe try being grateful- or at least less fucking condescending- instead of trying to tear apart a union that only just began.¡±


    The cabin fell silent. Callum¡¯s face was pale, his hands trembling slightly where they rested on his knees. For a moment, it looked like he might respond, but then his shoulders slumped, and he turned back to the window.


    Madelynn stared at Elise, surprised at the outburst.  She¡¯d never seen Elise anywhere even close to angry, and she was a bit scary when she was.  Gratitude swelled in her chest as her words replayed in Madelynn¡¯s head, but it was short lived.  Callum shifted,his forehead digging against the wooden wall as he gripped his side.  His face twisted in pain for a moment he masked it, the muscles in his cheeks twitching as he tightened his jaw


    ¡°Callum?¡± Madelynn said cautiously, her anger momentarily giving way to concern. ¡°Are you¡­ are you all right?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said sharply, not meeting her eyes. The tension in his posture, however, told a different story.


    Elise glanced at him, her expression skeptical. ¡°You don¡¯t look fine,¡± she said quietly. ¡°If there¡¯s something wrong- if it¡¯s something Casimir did, I can-¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong,¡± Callum interrupted, his voice hard. ¡°Let it go.¡±


    The carriage jolted as it hit a pothole, and Callum¡¯s hand flew to his side again, his face contorting in pain.  He grunted, balling his other hand into a fist as he slammed his head against the wall of the carriage again.  His skin was quickly paling, his cheeks flushed deep red in pain.  He recovered quickly, but not before both women noticed.


    Elise narrowed her eyes, and turned to catch Madelynn¡¯s gaze.  She flicked her eyes toward Callum, and touched her side, eluding to what was already obvious.


    Madelynn nodded, then turned her attention back to Callum.  ¡°Callum, please,¡± she said, her voice softer now. ¡°If something¡¯s wrong, you need to tell us. We can help you.¡±


    He didn¡¯t respond. The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating, until the carriage began to slow. The inn was visible through the window, its warm glow a stark contrast to the cold, tense atmosphere in the cabin.


    Callum exhaled, his breath shaky. ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± he muttered, his voice devoid of emotion. He opened the door and stepped out without waiting for them.


    Madelynn exchanged a worried glance with Elise before following him into the chilled evening.


    Callum pulled the door open and stepped inside, allowing it to close behind him.  Elise jogged in front of Madelynn and held the door open for her.  As Madelynn passed by, Elise grabbed her wrist, preventing her from entering.


    ¡°I¡¯m scared for him,¡± Elise whispered, her brows drawn together with concern.  ¡°Hang back with me for a moment.¡±


    Madelynn glanced at Callum, his back turned to her as she spoke with the receptionist.  They didn¡¯t have long before he¡¯d grow suspicious that they were speaking about him.  But, she nodded anyway and stepped out of the doorway to allow Elise to close the door.


    ¡°He¡¯s not going to willingly let me examine him,¡± she said, her tone still hushed as she wrapped her arms around her, protecting herself from the cold.  ¡°But, is there anything that he told you- any condition that could be aggravating whatever¡¯s on his side?¡±


    Madelynn searched her memory, digging for anything that could be useful.  Her eyes darted around the dirt lot as she thought.  ¡°Um,¡± she drawled, biting at her bottom lip.  ¡°Oh! He mentioned that he¡¯d been hit with a hex of unhealing on the battlefield.  It made him step away for a bit, or at least take it easy.¡±


    ¡°A hex of unhealing¡­¡± Elise rubbed at her eye, scrunching her face in thought.  ¡°All that does is slow the healing of wounds.  I suppose if he¡¯s got some internal injury, it might be causing pain, but nothing like what we saw.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought,¡± Madelynn agreed, pulling the door open a bit to check on Callum.  He was handing the payment to the receptionist.  They needed to wrap this up.  ¡°I don¡¯t know.  Either way, we¡¯ll have to figure it out once we¡¯re settled in, I guess.¡±


    She pulled the door open fully and stepped inside, holding it wide for Elise to slip through as well.  The lobby was warm and welcoming, the wooden panelled walls a stark contrast to the hard, cheaply tiled floor.


    Callum didn¡¯t even spare them a glance as he started down the hallway toward the rooms, his bag hanging loosely from his shoulder as he limped.


    Elise pushed against Madelynn¡¯s side, a soft, quiet laugh escaping her.  ¡°I guess this means you won¡¯t be consummating the marriage?¡± she joked, and Madelynn just rolled her eyes, pushing back against her slightly.


    Callum came to a stop beside a door, the same as all the others- dark wood, with a golden number hanging from a hook.  Room 15.  He pulled the key from a pocket and inserted it, before pushing the door open.


    Madelynn and Elise jogged to catch the door before it slammed shut, and Madelynn let out a groan when she saw the interior.  It was overwhelmingly brown and gloomy.  There was a single brown chair and small table occupying the living area, two beds in the sleeping area, an ice box in the kitchen, and a slim, brown door leading to the bathroom.


    ¡°Well, this is pleasing,¡± Madelynn said flatly, shooting a satire smile at Elise.


    ¡°What did you expect?¡± Callum bit out, his knuckles clenched as he braced himself against the chair before falling back into it.  ¡°We¡¯re at an inn in the middle of Roland.  The phrase Shit rolls downhill to Roland wasn¡¯t coined because of untruth.¡±


    ¡°It was a joke,¡± Madelynn said slowly, defensively.  ¡°Seriously, what is wrong with you?  Is it your side?¡±


    ¡°I told you to leave it alone,¡± Callum responded, though his voice was wavering and his skin paled further.  ¡°I am fine.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you are,¡± Elise said carefully, stepping around Madelynn to kneel in front of Callum.  ¡°I¡¯d really like to examine you.  This isn¡¯t typical behavior just from a hex of unhealing.¡±


    Callum narrowed his eyes as his gaze flicked up to Madelynn.  ¡°So, you¡¯re just spilling all my secrets now?¡±


    Madelynn crossed her arms, but couldn¡¯t hide the concern from her voice.  ¡°I told her because she¡¯s more trained in medicine than either of us.  She knows at least a little bit of what she¡¯s talking about.¡±


    ¡°I. Am. Fine.¡±  He didn¡¯t elaborate further, but pushed himself to stand.  He struggled, bracing his hands on the arms of the chair as his legs shook.  His breath was coming raggedly as he finally stood straight, but his hand flew to his side.  He grunted as he stepped around Elise, toward the entrance to the room.


    ¡°You can¡¯t leave!¡± Madelynn blanched as she followed after him, grabbing his arm.  He whipped around to scowl at her.  ¡°Callum,¡± she said softly as she took in his appearance.  He barely looked like himself, like he was decaying right in front of her.  ¡°Please let us help you.  Something is seriously wrong.¡±


    His expression softened for just a moment, and his eyelids slid closed as he resolve faltered.  ¡°I feel-¡± he started, but he was cut off when his knees buckled.


    Callum collapsed like a marionette with its strings severed as he fell into Madelynn¡¯s arms. The weight of him sent her stumbling back, her legs barely managing to keep them upright. His body convulsed violently, the jerking motion so strong that she feared she might drop him. White foam bubbled at his lips, and a low, guttural groan escaped his throat¡ªa sound so raw it made her stomach churn.


    ¡°Elise!¡± Madelynn screamed, her voice cracking. She struggled to keep Callum steady as his spasms grew more erratic. Elise was already at her side, her hands moving with practiced precision.


    ¡°Lower him! Quickly!¡± Elise ordered, her tone sharp but controlled. Together, they eased him to the floor, his head lolling to the side as his eyes rolled back, exposing the whites. Elise pressed her ear to his chest, listening intently before rolling him onto his side. ¡°He¡¯s seizing. Grab a pillow, now!¡±

 Chapter 19

    Madelynn¡¯s hands trembled and her legs shook as she knelt down, lifting Callum¡¯s head gently as she eased the small, firm pillow under him.  ¡°What¡¯s causing this?¡± she asked, forcing herself to breathe deeply to drive down the panic building in her chest.


    Elise didn¡¯t respond, her hands traveling around his body as she searched.  She grabbed his hands, flipping them over, then removed his shoes and scanned his feet.  ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she said slowly as she rolled his pant legs up and examined his calves.  ¡°Help me get his shirt off.¡±


    Madelynn started on the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one at a time.  Two buttons down, she decided it wasn¡¯t quick enough, and just ripped the shirt open, the buttons flying in every direction as they pulled free from the stitching.


    The stench hit her before she could comprehend what she was seeing.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯ll do it,¡± Elise said humorlessly as her fingers came down to trail a faint circle around the wound.


    It was a rune of some sort, with a long line going down the middle, and a slanted line at the very top.  A sharp squiggle went through the middle, and another line extended down the right side.  At the bottom, two diagonal lines extended down and out.  The top half of the rune was contained in a circle.  It was all carved into his skin.  Or burnt, perhaps.


    It looked like it had bled at one point, but now it was dark and oozing, a yellow-green puss bubbling out of each grotesque line.  Deep red veins sprouted from it, signalling even to Madelynn that there was an infection.  But there was a green tint to the affected side of his abdomen, and when Elise pressed a finger against the skin there, it tore like wet parchment and the flesh stuck to her finger.  She gagged and wiped her finger violently on Callum¡¯s pants.


    Madelynn turned away and vomited.  She couldn¡¯t stand to look at it, and the smell was- she vomited again.  The smell was atrocious.  It was putrid, like rotting meat and eggs and feces.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Madelynn yelled, her voice guttural as she held back another throatful of vomit.


    Elise was just staring at it, her eyes wide with horror.  She held the back of her wrist to her mouth as she spoke, her voice muffled and broken.  ¡°It¡¯s a rune of death.¡±  Madelynn vomited again.  A rune of death?  She felt a sob emerge from her throat despite the vomit pouring out of her.  She¡¯d seen runes of death before in textbooks, when she was still studying Essence.  This was not a rune of death.  ¡°This-¡± Elise continued, motioning to the portion that was encircled- ¡°means slow death.  But this-¡± she motioned to the upside down Y at the bottom of the rune- ¡°is a rune for tracking.  But it¡¯s upside down, which means it¡¯s delayed.¡±  She closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, her face went pale.  ¡°I think it¡¯s a rune that¡¯s meant to kill him, and when it does it will ping the location of his body to whoever marked him.¡±


    Madelynn grimaced in disgust and horror.  Had Casimir done this?  Was he truly willing to kill Callum just to get to her?  Even more than that, had he known they would try to escape together?  Why else would he have put a rune of tracking?


    ¡°But,¡± Elise continued on as she lunged for her bag and rummaged through it.  ¡°That doesn¡¯t explain the infection or the¡­ necrosis.¡±  She stopped rummaging, and her face went blank.  ¡°Necrosis,¡± she repeated, her eyes darting around the room as she searched for an answer.  ¡°Necrosis!  He wasn¡¯t hit with a hex of unhealing, it had to have been a necrosis curse!¡±  She pulled a vile of healing potion from her bag and tossed it to Madelynn.  She didn¡¯t catch it, and it rolled around by her feet as Elise threw herself back toward Callum.


    Madelynn scooped the vile up and briefly wondered what the hell this was going to do when the rune was so horribly infected.  Necrosis?  Casimir had been the one who informed Callum of the hex of unhealing.  If he¡¯d healed him, he would¡¯ve had to have known it was necrosis.  Why would he have lied about that?  Unless he was the one who¡¯d done it¡­


    Elise rolled Callum onto his back.  The shaking had slowed, but tremors still lingered as Elise held him down.  ¡°Madelynn!¡± She snapped her fingers, drawing Madleynn¡¯s attention from her thoughts.  ¡°Force him to swallow that potion.  Pour it in his mouth and massage his throat until it¡¯s all gone.¡±


    Madelynn nodded, and looked down at Callum¡¯s face.  His eyes were closed and his brows were pinched together, his jaw clamped shut tightly.  He looked like death incarnate.  She could feel tears stinging the backs of her eyes as she gripped his jaw and tilted his head upward.  ¡°What good will this do?¡± she asked, glancing up at Elise as she pulled her bag toward her once again.  She fetched a thick black shirt from the bag before discarding it once again.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Not much,¡± she replied distantly as she pulled the shirt until it tore.  Then she shot Madelynn a sorry look.  ¡°Hope you didn¡¯t care much for that shirt.¡±


    Madelynn didn¡¯t respond, her eyes trailing back down to Callum as she cradled his jaw in her hand.  He¡¯d always been the strong one, the grounding force, and now he was weak, fragile.  She felt like vomiting again as she pried his mouth open, unstopped the vile, and poured half the cloudy liquid into his mouth.  She did as Elise had instructed and massaged his throat, forcing him to swallow.  She repeated her actions until the vile was empty.


    ¡°What now?¡± She forced herself to look up at Elise again as she continued tearing the shirt into strips.


    ¡°I need you over here,¡± Elise commanded, her usual humorous tone completely gone, replaced by the voice of someone who¡¯d done this countless times before.  ¡°Miriam forced me to study books on healing before she¡¯d even started teaching me, so I know how to reverse the current necrotization, but I can¡¯t do anything about the rune right now.¡±


    Madelynn looked down at Callum one last time, letting her fingers trail down his cheek, before she scooted sideways until she was next to Elise.  She squinted and forced her gaze to Elise¡¯s hands, avoiding looking at the necrotized flesh.


    Elise shoved a folded strip of cloth into Madelynn¡¯s hand and poured a vile of healing potion over it.  ¡°When I tell you to, press this into the rune.  I¡¯m going to start neutralizing the necrosis, and the potion has to constantly heal the surface or else it¡¯ll just reinfect.¡±  She turned away, and Madelynn stared down at the cloth.  When had Elise become so proficient in healing?  She¡¯d been nervous to heal Madelynn¡¯s hangover just days ago.


    ¡°Now!¡± Elise commanded.  Madelynn didn¡¯t hesitate, pressing the soaked side of the cloth into the wound on Callum¡¯s side.  His back arched as a deep, guttural groan escaped his lips.


    ¡°Elise!¡± she screamed, her voice breaking as her eyes darted to her friend. ¡°What¡¯s happening to him?¡±


    ¡°Hold it steady!¡± Elise barked, her voice unyielding. She had both hands pressed against Callum¡¯s abdomen, her fingers glowing faintly as Essence poured into his ruined skin. ¡°Whatever cursed him isn¡¯t giving up without a fight.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s breath hitched. She wanted to pull the cloth away, wanted to stop whatever was causing Callum this agony, but Elise¡¯s words pinned her in place. Her fingers dug into the fabric, holding it firm despite the writhing beneath her hands. ¡°This isn¡¯t supposed to happen,¡± she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. ¡°You can¡¯t die.¡±


    The air seemed to shift, growing heavier with every word Elise chanted. ¡°Sanideratus¡­ Vita Sanguis¡­ Contrabenarium¡­¡± Her voice vibrated through the room, the syllables dripping with power that made Madelynn¡¯s skin prickle.


    The veins around the wound twitched, their red-black tendrils shrinking back like retreating serpents. Madelynn watched in horrified awe as the infection reversed itself, the lines retracting into the rune like ink being sucked back into a quill.


    ¡°Elise, it¡¯s working,¡± she whispered, a flicker of hope lighting in her chest.


    ¡°Not fast enough,¡± Elise ground out, her voice strained. Sweat dripped from her temple, her breathing growing labored. ¡°This curse is deeper than I thought.¡±


    Callum¡¯s body shuddered again, his head rolling to the side as a pained gasp escaped him. ¡°Madelynn¡­¡± The faint sound of her name broke her composure, and tears she hadn¡¯t realized were there spilled freely down her cheeks.


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± she said shakily, leaning over him. ¡°I¡¯m right here, Callum. Stay with me. Please.¡±


    Elise pressed harder, her chants becoming sharper, more commanding. The glow from her hands intensified, bathing the room in a soft, golden light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the chanting. The veins continued to recede, but the strain in Elise¡¯s voice was unmistakable.


    ¡°Keep holding him,¡± Elise muttered. ¡°We¡¯re not done yet.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s gaze flicked between Elise¡¯s glowing hands and Callum¡¯s pallid face. His breaths were shallow, his lips a sickly blue. The cloth in her hand was soaked through with pus and blood, and the sour, acrid smell of rot clung to the air like a suffocating blanket.


    ¡°Elise, if this doesn¡¯t work¡ª¡± she started, but her voice cracked under the weight of her fear.


    ¡°It will,¡± Elise interrupted, though the strain in her voice betrayed her uncertainty. ¡°It has to.¡±


    The glow from Elise¡¯s hands flared one last time, a sharp burst of light that left spots dancing in Madelynn¡¯s vision. When the light faded, the veins were gone, leaving behind raw, angry flesh that still oozed faintly but no longer carried the stench of death.


    Elise sat back with a ragged exhale, wiping her forehead with a trembling hand. ¡°It¡¯s stable for now.  We¡¯ll have to figure out the rune later¡± She trailed off, her eyes meeting Madelynn¡¯s with a grim determination. ¡°For now, need to move him to a bed.¡±


    Madelynn nodded, her legs shaking as she stood. Together, they lifted Callum onto the bed, his weight feeling impossibly heavy in her weakened state. Once he was settled, Elise grabbed her bag and headed for the bathroom without a word.


    Madelynn stayed by Callum¡¯s side, her hand brushing against his clammy skin as she swiped a piece of sweat-drenched hair behind his ear. ¡°You¡¯re going to be okay,¡± she whispered, though the words felt more like a prayer than a promise. ¡°You have to be.¡±

 Chapter 20

    Then, those brown eyelashes fluttered, and Callum¡¯s silver eyes opened just enough to gaze up at her.  Madelynn jumped, her thumb stroking slowly across his jaw.  ¡°Hey,¡± she said wetly, forcing a smile through the frown that pulled tears from her.  ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    Callum blinked slowly, his eyes darting around her face as if he never expected to see her again.  His breaths came evenly, and his heart beat steadily under Madelynn¡¯s other hand.  He strained, his lips pulling into a thin line as his legs shifted.  ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he choked out, his throat sounding raw and painful.


    ¡°Sorry?¡± Madelynn sobbed out a laugh, leaning down until her forehead pressed against the hand over his chest.  ¡°You nearly died, and you¡¯re apologizing?¡±  She lifted her head to gaze at him, and his face was cold and unreadable despite the gloss over his eyes.


    ¡°I said horrible things to you,¡± he breathed out, his voice barely more than a whisper.  ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s eyebrows drew upward as another tear fell from her eyes.  He was trying so hard to look strong, to look like he hadn¡¯t been wasting away just moments ago- like Madelynn hadn¡¯t just watched the skin of his torso peel away like a rotten orange peel.  ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± she asked, and felt his jaw clench under fingers.


    ¡°I should¡¯ve.¡±  He pursed his lips like he was debating whether or not to elaborate.  ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was going to affect me so much.  I didn¡¯t want to worry you anymore than you already were.¡±


    Madelynn shook her head, her eyebrows drawing together.  ¡°Worry me?¡± she blurted.  ¡°You were-¡± Then, she realized he didn¡¯t know.  He didn¡¯t know about the necrosis.  ¡°Callum, you were never hit with a hex of unhealing.  You were cursed.¡±  She paused, but his eyes didn¡¯t show any signs of surprise.  He didn¡¯t even look saddened at the news.  ¡°It¡¯s a necrosis curse, at least that¡¯s what Elise said.  That¡¯s why you almost died, not the rune.¡±


    He looked away from her for a moment and nodded his head faintly.  When he didn¡¯t speak, didn¡¯t meet her gaze again, Madelynn cupped his cheek and turned his head so he would look at her again.  ¡°Did he- Casimir- do it to you?¡±


    His lips trembled, and his gaze fell away from hers.  He was ashamed of something.  ¡°Later,¡± was all he said, and Madelynn understood.  Whatever had happened between him and Casimir, he wasn¡¯t ready to discuss it.  Maybe they¡¯d fought, or maybe Casimir had strung him up and carved those long, deep lines into him while he screamed in agony.  Maybe he¡¯d done the same when he cursed him.


    Madelynn clamped her eyes shut tight and nodded, forcing the thought away.  ¡°I almost lost you.¡±  The words slipped out of her mouth before she¡¯d realized she was even thinking them.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he repeated, his voice strained and wet with the unspoken words between them.  His hand came up to rest on her back, gently pulling her toward him.  His brow was taut with pain at the movement, and Madelynn wondered how deep the necrosis ran.  If they¡¯d missed any, he¡¯d- ¡°Please,¡± he said softly, his eyes hooded as he stared up at her.


    Later, she decided.  Later, they could discuss the semantics of his injury, argue over his dishonesty, and decide what married meant to each of them.  But, for now, they could just be together.  Finally, after what felt like an eternity in a cage of her own making, she could relax.  If only for a moment.


    And so, she scooted down on the bed and leaned down so her head was nestled between Callum¡¯s shoulder and chin.  He strained as he cocked his head to look at her.  She pressed herself against him, letting his warmth envelop her completely.  His hand tangled in her hair, pulling loose a curl and watching as it fell across her shoulder.  Something in his eyes, in the way he saw her, had her leaning forward, inclining her head slightly, until her lips brushed his- just slightly.


    The breath between them was heavy and uneven, as if each of them was nervously anticipating the other¡¯s next move.  He watched her still, his eyes full of something Madelynn couldn¡¯t place, so she waited for him to move, to show her that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.  Needed him.  Needed him to know how much she couldn¡¯t lose him.  How much he meant to her.


    He didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t signal to her that he wanted her at all, and she wondered if, after all this, he still saw her as an obligation like he did when she asked him to marry her.  If so, she deserved it for deceiving him.  For lying and cheating her way into a marriage for her own sake.  And now, to be laying in bed with him, pressed against him with the most intimacy she¡¯d ever experienced with a man, she felt gross.  Like the weight of all her actions and misdeeds pressed down on her at once.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    But, he brought his hand up to her cheek and ran his thumb across her bottom lip, and all that fell away.  He didn¡¯t look at her like she was a whore, an obligation, or any other horrible thing Madelynn couldn¡¯t come up with in this moment.  He looked at her like she was the only woman in the world, and suddenly she had her answer.


    One breath.  Two.  And he threw himself into the kiss.  She met him halfway and their lips crashed together.


    His hand in her hair drew her closer, while his other came around to brush his fingers against her hip.  She shivered at his touch, her hand on his chest moving to the bed under him as she pushed herself up onto her knees, deepening the kiss.


    It was nothing like the kiss they shared at their wedding- sharp and calculated.  This was loose, passionate, longing, as if all the time they¡¯d spent together and, even more, all the time they¡¯d spent apart- all that piled together into this single moment.


    She¡¯d almost lost him- her only chance of survival in such a cruel world- and she¡¯d almost let him slip away.  Callum- her husband, her hidden friend and lifeline- nearly left her the same evening they¡¯d finally been bound together.


    Madelynn poured her thoughts into her lips, opening her mouth against his in an invitation.  Tentatively, his tongue poked out and licked a stripe across her bottom lip, and she met it with her own.  His hands both wrapped around her waist, pulling her down onto his chest as she shifted to straddle him, careful to keep her weight off of him.


    Her teeth drug against his lower lip and he groaned, his leg coming up between her thighs before he gripped her arms- firm but not painful- and lightly shoved her away from him.


    Madelynn pulled away from him, his sudden aversion toward her leaving her feeling hollow and naked.  She pushed herself back to one side of the bed and leaned back to sit on her heels.  Had she overstepped- crossed some unspoken boundary between them?  He watched her, his mouth open as he panted.  She felt like crying as that same cold, stonelike emotionless expression fell over him once again.


    But, his eyes were wild, pearly blue and silver dancing around in his irises in a way that was painfully reminiscent of the gold in Casimir¡¯s.  She¡¯d wonder about that later, as well.  She just stared down at him, the beat of her heart mirroring the rapid breaths escaping her open mouth.  Callum swallowed hard, his adams apple bobbing, as he leaned his head back, digging deep into the pillow as he groaned deeply, in a way that left a pressure building in her lower belly.  ¡°As much as I¡¯d love to-¡± he cut himself off, his nostrils flaring and his eyebrows raising as his eyes drug down her body before slowly creeping back up to her eyes- ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    She blinked at him, cocking her head to the side.  ¡°Is it because I¡¯m-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not because of anything about you,¡± he cut her off, his tone laced with frustration.  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, crossing his ankles.  ¡°We¡¯re married.¡±  He held up his left hand, showing off the thread laced tightly around his ring finger.  ¡°But, there are a million things I have to do before I can afford to lose myself in-¡± He swallowed again, a shiver taking hold of him.


    Madelynn breathed deeply, willing the ache low in her belly away.  He was right.  His body was broken, he needed rest.  Not to mention Elise in the other room or the blood crusted under Madelynn¡¯s nails. And they did have a million other things to worry about- the Vanguard, her parents, finding a permanent residence, Casimir.   Her head throbbed as the thoughts poured in, so she just nodded and shifted once again so she could cuddle against him.


    He grunted as her knee brushed his torso, and she gave him an apologetic look before wrapping her arm around him, drawing little circles on his stubbled jaw with her thumb.  She pressed her lips against his collarbone as his eyes slipped closed.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t allowed to die,¡± she whispered against his skin.


    He breathed out a laugh, a flexing of his chest and an exhale through his nose.  He didn¡¯t open his eyes as a small smirk stretched across his lips.  ¡°Or what, you¡¯ll kill me?¡±


    Madelynn let herself melt into him as she felt an easy smile creeping up on her.  ¡°If you decide to go and die on me, I will personally reach into the afterlife, pull you out, and send you straight back as many times as it takes for you to realize that you can¡¯t leave me.¡±


    His dimples peeked out as he opened one eye to look down at her lazily.  ¡°Noted,¡± was all he said before he closed his eyes once again.  Madelynn¡¯s eyes slipped shut as well, feeling a much needed sleep pressing down on her.


    Even as Callum¡¯s chest moved against her, his muscles still trembling lightly around her, her mind brought her back.  As sleep consumed her, her eyes fell back into that moment, watching his face drain of life, his skin breaking away and sticking to Elise¡¯s fingers.


    Sleep came easy, but Callum¡¯s warmth did little to keep the nightmares away.  She dreamt of finding the rune, the green ooze bubbling over and spilling onto the floor around him as his skin peeled away from the muscle.  She watched from above as she did nothing to save him, as he screamed in Agony while Elise scrambled to save him.  As Casimir drug long, lazy, evil lines into his beautiful face.  And she did nothing- could do nothing- as he suffered and faded.  She couldn¡¯t help him.


    Even when she jolted awake and found Callum still sleeping soundly next to her, when she felt his chest still moving and felt the air emerging from his lips, she couldn¡¯t shake the fear that crept into her tummy.  She wrapped her arm tightly around his chest and breathed in his scent- metallic sweat and dirt- as she repeated the same mantra in her head.  She couldn¡¯t help him.  And as sleep consumed her once again, she decided that had to change.

 Chapter 21

    The following week came and went in a haze.  Callum left in his enchanted carriage to confront his commanding officers with the news of his sudden marriage.  He¡¯d come back with two matching silver bands and a bouquet of red roses.  He¡¯d sent word to his parents that he¡¯d be journeying home with a wife, and spent the rest of his time resting and healing.  Elise spent long hours kneeling over him, her veins lit in a vibrant blue as she poured her healing Essence into him.  She and Madelynn took a trip into the city, using all the money she¡¯d brought from her parents¡¯ house to buy early learning books on Essence.  Madelynn spent her time reading, studying the foundations of Essence Bearing.  Elise had informed her, after Madelynn asked about teaching her the basics of healing, that she¡¯d need a stronger foundation than nothing to begin learning.


    Madelynn poured herself into her studies, recalling her early days when she¡¯d been permitted to use her Essence.  It was an entirely different world, unlocking a side of existence she didn¡¯t even know existed.  When she spoke the Language of Old, as Elise did when she healed, her veins lit up in a sickly green color, and she wondered if she¡¯d ever find the same beauty as Elise had in her sky blue misty aura, or Callum¡¯s silver.


    On their fourth day at the inn, Elise had announced that Madelynn was finally ready to learn the basics of healing.  When asked if he would be teaching Madelynn the basics of combat, Callum just shook his head and said she wasn¡¯t ready.  He would teach her the basics of self-defense, but they wouldn¡¯t delve into Essence.  Madelynn clenched her jaw and spat silent curses at him, but decided he was probably right.  She and Elise needed to focus on finding a way to neutralize the rune, anyway.


    On their seventh day at the inn, there was a deafening crack, and the air around them seemed to compress, growing heavy with a golden mist.  Elise shrieked and dove behind her bed.  Callum simply stepped in front of Madelynn, shielding her with his body as his old friend crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t quite the romantic getaway I was expecting,¡± Casimir said in a menacingly smooth tone.


    Madelynn pressed herself against Callum¡¯s back, as if he could sweep her out of the room in the same way Casimir had appeared.  His skin was sickly hot, and she watched as silver crept  down his arms until it settled in his hands, a cloud of grey droplets circling around his outstretched fingers.  ¡°Why are you here?¡± Callum asked, his voice deep and accusatory.


    Casimir chuckled, but the sound wasn¡¯t one of amusement.  It was condescending as he tipped his head back and stared down his nose at Callum.  ¡°Well, the time ran out,¡± he said casually, motioning toward Callum¡¯s middle.  ¡°And in a week, it¡¯ll run out again.  And again.  And again.¡±


    And again.  Madelynn¡¯s eyes clamped shut as she felt Callum take a step back.  Her stomach filled with the familiar pull of dread at his words.  He had marked Callum just so he could¡­ what?  Torment them?  Kill them off one by one?


    ¡°You need to leave,¡± Callum said sternly, the cloud around his hand spreading up his arm.


    ¡°Or what?¡± Casimir laughed out, his boots thumping heavily against the floor as he took a step forward.  ¡°You know what I¡¯m here for.¡±  His tone dropped the playful maliciousness, contorting into a seriousness Madelynn had never heard from him before.


    ¡°You¡¯re not taking my wife away from me,¡± Callum responded heavily, his non-glowing arm coming around to grasp Madelynn¡¯s hand.  She held onto him like he was her lifeline, and turned her head to find Elise peeking over the bed at Casimir, her eyes full of the same horror as when she¡¯d read the letter from Callum.


    Casimir smiled in a way that didn¡¯t reach his eyes as he took another step forward.  Callum took a step back.  That golden mist still danced through the room, and Madelynn realized it was Casimir¡¯s Essence.  Of course, he was pompous enough to flaunt it so widely.  ¡°I don¡¯t plan on taking her anywhere,¡± Casimir started, his boot tapping impatiently on the wooden floor, ¡°unless she wants me to, of course.¡±  He leaned sideways until his gaze met Madelynn¡¯s, and he gave her a little wave.  Madelynn scowled, drawing backward until Callum was between them again.  ¡°All I want is to talk to her, make sure she¡¯s¡­safe.¡±


    Callum went rigid, perhaps in some silent communication only two people who¡¯d known each other for a lifetime could possess.  The hand that held Madelynn¡¯s trembled again, and Madelynn squeezed it reassuringly.  But, before another word was said, Callum dropped his hand from her grasp and stepped to the side.  What was he doing?  Casimir smiled villainously at her, and she took a step toward Callum, her belly churning once again, but Casimir let out a tsk, stopping her in her tracks.


    She glared at Casimir, who just nodded in Callum¡¯s direction.  Madelynn followed his gaze and stared in horror at the golden tendril wrapped around his throat.  He stretched his neck upward as the cloud of mist solidified and pressed in, cutting off his air supply.


    ¡°What do you say, Madelynn?¡± Casimir asked, not bearing Callum any heed as he pressed the air from his windpipes.  ¡°A word?¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s eyes flicked from Casimir, to Callum, to Elise, who just shook her head frantically.  She swallowed heavily, her body rigid as she turned back to Casimir.  ¡°Two minutes,¡± she said flatly, not meeting his golden gaze.


    ¡°Five minutes,¡± he said with a tinge of humor, as if all this was some grand joke to him.


    ¡°One minute,¡± she pushed, wishing she¡¯d kept up on her practice from all those years ago.  She¡¯d rip his throat out right now if she could.


    The golden vice around Callum¡¯s throat closed in tighter, and he let out a sickly gurgle.  ¡°Five minutes, or Lover Boy¡¯s doing the Devil¡¯s Dance.¡±  His voice was manic as she spat the words, and Callum¡¯s face blossomed into a deep red hue as the tendril tightened once again.  His silver Essence flickered against the strain, flicking at it weakly. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Madelynn watched, horrified, frozen in fear, as his feet slowly came off the ground until just his toes supported him.  He gagged, the veins in his neck bulging as his hands came up to grasp at the Essence.  Suddenly, she saw herself kneeling next to Callum as his flesh fell away, sticking to Elise¡¯s fingers.  She¡¯d done nothing to protect him then, she had to do something now.  ¡°Fine!¡± Madelynn shouted, but Callum was hoisted higher still.  ¡°Five minutes!¡± she blurted, taking a step toward Casimir.  ¡°Just please, don¡¯t hurt him.¡±


    Casimir smiled menacingly, his shoulders coming up in a shrug.  ¡°See?¡± he said, and released Callum, who plummeted to the floor, his knees slamming against the wood with a crack.  Elise was on him in an instant, and Madelynn turned her attention back to Casimir.  ¡°That wasn¡¯t so hard, was it?¡±  He held his hand out, his gaze locked on her.  ¡°Now, five minutes, and I swear-¡± he held a hand to his heart in a mock sincerity- ¡°you¡¯ll be back with your dear lover, probably before he wakes.¡±


    Madelynn glanced at Elise and Callum once again, Elise¡¯s hand on his head as blue shined out from her.  ¡°Five minutes,¡± Madelynn said quietly.  She couldn¡¯t will her feet to move, the weight of all her decisions pressing down on her, as she reached out to grasp Casimir¡¯s hand.


    As soon as their fingers brushed, her vision faded to gold.  The floor fell out from under her as the air around her pulled inward, compressing her lungs.  She couldn¡¯t find her breath as the ground met her hard, and she collapsed, her stomach promptly emptying into the soft grass.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it,¡± Casimir said from somewhere behind her, but she couldn¡¯t turn to seek him out as her vision cleared and she heaved again.


    As her stomach finally expelled the last of its contents, she wiped her mouth and pushed herself to her feet, her legs shaking under her as the world cleared.  She stumbled, holding her hands out to steady herself.  ¡°What was that?¡± she barked out as the blurry figure of Casimir came into view.


    ¡°Shifting,¡± he said simply, as if that explained anything.  ¡°You¡¯ll learn it soon enough.¡±


    Madelynn closed her eyes, pressing a hand to her forehead as a headache overwhelmed her.  ¡°What do you want from me?¡± she asked, feeling the world tip under her feet.  She felt herself fall sideways, and couldn¡¯t catch her footing as she crumpled to the ground.


    Casimir knelt over her, resting his forearms on his knees.  ¡°I want you to learn,¡± he said, picking at his nail, as if Madelynn was boring him already.  ¡°I meant what I wrote in that letter.  You have a unique potential, and it would be a shame if you wasted it with someone like Callum.¡±


    ¡°Someone like Callum,¡± she spat, pushing herself up to sit.  ¡°Keep his name out of your mouth.¡±


    Casimir laughed, low and mighty, tilting his head to look up at the sky.  ¡°I forgot the sting of your tongue,¡± he choked out between the roar of laughter.  ¡°I¡¯m your ally here, Madelynn,¡± he said, his tone suddenly serious as he rocked back to sit on his butt.  ¡°Perhaps your only ally.¡±


    Madelynn glared at him, wishing she could disappear.  But her head still screamed in pain as she squinted against the harsh sunlight.  ¡°What do you want from me?¡± she repeated, trying to draw the subject away from Callum.  She didn¡¯t want to think about him, laying on the floor helpless as Elise tended to him.  Madelynn, as usual, did nothing.  Couldn¡¯t do anything to help him.


    ¡°I want you to open your eyes,¡± he said, but she could find no malice in his words.  ¡°Callum won¡¯t ever let you see the ways of the world beyond that room.  No matter where you go, if you¡¯re with Callum, you¡¯ll always be stuck in that room- stuck in that house you despise so much, your potential limited to the crumbs he drops at his feet.  You¡¯ll always be tied to his weakness.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Madelynn shouted, clamping her hands over his ears.  He was lying.  Callum was her friend, her first kiss, her husband.  He wouldn¡¯t keep her ignorant.  Even as she fought it, doubt swirled in her mind, circling back to his refusal to teach her in the ways of Essence.  Casimir was lying.  He was a manipulator and a liar.  She slammed her hands into the grass, feeling the dirt underneath jam under her nails.  ¡°How dare you speak of his weakness when you¡¯re the one who carved it into him!¡±


    Casimir tilted his head, his eyebrows drawing together.  He blinked once.  Twice.  Then the composure returned to his features, as if he¡¯d worked out a problem inside his head.  A cynical smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he spoke.  ¡°I made Callum,¡± he said slowly, his voice deep and laced with an anger that he didn¡¯t show as he smirked knowingly.  ¡°And as such, I know exactly who he is.¡±  He leaned forward, the mist of his Essence spreading from him like a golden halo.  ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d pay very close attention to the stories he whispers in your ear at night.¡±


    In an instant, he disappeared in a cloud of gold, then Madelynn¡¯s ears popped as a crack sounded in the air just behind her.  Her skin crawled as the breath of his words tickled her ear.  ¡°He won¡¯t hesitate to lie to protect the ones he loves.¡±  Madelynn whipped around to find him crouching just behind her, his face emotionless.  ¡°I¡¯m not that honorable.¡±


    Madelynn pushed herself backward until there was more than an arm¡¯s reach between them.  ¡°Why would I trust anything you say?¡± she breathed out, her ears still ringing from his shifting.


    ¡°Tell me, Darling,¡± he drawled, cocking his head to the side, ¡°did your lover tell you how that rune on his side came to be?  Or that terribly inconvenient curse?¡±


    Madelynn couldn¡¯t find the words to respond.  A quick retort lingered the the tip of her tongue as he watched her, then pulled his lips into a thin line and shook his head in faux devastation.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think so.¡±  He breathed heavily, then glanced down at his arm, where a watch didn¡¯t decorate his wrist.  ¡°Oh, would you look at that¡­ time¡¯s up.¡±


    Without warning, he lunged forward and grabbed her arm.


    Fear paralyzed her, clamped her eyes shut, even as the world disappeared into gold once again.  She was trapped inside the fold of golden wings, unable to move, unable to resist, and then the hard floor of the inn crashed against her.  She fell to her knees and sucked in a deep breath, dry heaving at the sensation as her stomach flipped.


    ¡°Until next week,¡± she heard Casimir chirp out, before the crack of Essence filled the room, and he was gone.


    Her ears continued to ring as Callum and Elise rushed to her side, dragging her to the bed as Elise¡¯s blue Essence poured into her, checking for any injuries.  Even as Callum ran shaky fingers through her hair and peppered gentle kisses on her temple, his words fell on deaf ears.  She stared up at the ceiling as Casimir¡¯s words echoed in her head.  Callum won¡¯t hesitate to lie to protect the ones he loves.

 Chapter 22

    The following morning, Callum informed Madelynn and Elise that they¡¯d be journeying to Thelm, to find temporary residence in his parents¡¯ guest house while he scrounged enough funds for a house of their own.  After gentle probing, he confirmed that he was, in fact, coming with.  So, they packed the few things they had and piled into the small carriage once again.


    Madelynn sat next to Callum, her hand clasped between both of his in his lap, as Elise reclined on the bench across from them.


    She picked absently at her teeth while Madelynn cringed at the sight.


    ¡°So,¡± Elise broke the silence, sucking in a sharp breath. ¡°Not to be a downer on the whole marriage-relocation thing-¡± she waved a hand between the two of them, her eyebrow raised- ¡°but why are we traveling across the country to stay away from Casimir if he already knows where we are?¡±


    Callum leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. ¡°Well,¡± he began, his hands waving out in front of him as he explained, ¡°if we can find a way to neutralize the rune, we¡¯ll have to move anyway.  As soon as he realizes that tie is broken, he¡¯ll lash out.  His shifting is strong, but it¡¯ll take him time to get from Daam all the way to Thelm.  The further we are from him, the better.¡±


    Madelynn bit her lip, her mind traveling back to those moments when she¡¯d shifted.  Then to Casimir¡¯s words.  She knew he wasn¡¯t a trustworthy source, but she couldn¡¯t help wondering how much truth was in his words.  After all, Callum was always going to be just one side of a story.  ¡°Why¡¯d he do it?¡± she blurted, gnawing on her thumb nail as she stared at the side of Callum¡¯s face.  They¡¯d barely spoken since her meeting with Casimir, besides clarifying that he hadn¡¯t hurt her.  What if he knew what they¡¯d spoken about?  Did he know she was questioning his genuinity?  Or was he simply avoiding a difficult subject?


    Callum turned to face her, his eyebrows drawing together.  ¡°Why¡¯d who do what?¡± he asked, and Madelynn realized she¡¯d been so lost in her thoughts he hadn¡¯t been paying attention to their conversation.


    ¡°Why did Casimir mark you?¡± Madelynn clarified, her eyes darting to Callum¡¯s middle before snapping back up to his face.  ¡°He knew we¡¯d try to run?¡±


    Callum shook his head, his expression turning solemn.  ¡°Cas is a very strange man,¡± he said in a monotone draw.  ¡°I still don¡¯t know why he does the things he does.  Revenge, maybe, for stealing you away from him?¡±


    Madelynn just nodded her head.  She wanted to press the subject, to rip apart everything he¡¯d ever said to her, but her head still ached from the shifting yesterday.  Instead, she just leaned back on the bench, her head tipping to rest on Callum¡¯s shoulder.


    He brought a hand up to play absently with her hair, his other still clasping hers in his lap.  The easy conversation between Callum and Elise lulled her into a trance, the rumbling of his voice pulling her down toward relaxation.  She inhaled- cedar, fresh rain, and a hint of mint.  He laughed at something Elise said, his shoulder rocking against her gently.


    The sound was deep and smooth, bringing her back to the moment he¡¯d beamed at her, pulling two silver rings from behind his back.  It had barely been five days, but it felt like a lifetime ago when he¡¯d pulled the twine from her finger, replacing it with the delicate silver band.  Everything felt so far away- the way he¡¯d smiled lazily at her when he accused her of being bland.  That same man, that slightly drunk, disheveled soldier, became her husband in such a short amount of time.  Her chest tightened as she realized how easy things had been then, before she drug him into her mess of a life.  He¡¯d probably be much happier if they¡¯d never met to begin with.


    He¡¯d thrown everything away for her- his life, nearly, twice now in the past eight days.  She clenched her eyes shut, the image of him dangling by Casimir¡¯s Essence burnt into the back of her eyelids.  How could he go from so near to death to chatting and laughing so easily?  It hadn¡¯t even been a full day, the deep red bruises still circled around his neck, his eyes still bloodshot and glassy.  Was it all an act?  Was he putting on a strong face for her?  The thought made her sick, that he¡¯d be forced to live a life full of false composure just to hide his suffering from her.


    Their conversation died, and Elise turned her attention to one of the many books she¡¯d bought in town.  Madelynn¡¯s ears still rang from the shifting, the sudden silence pressing in on her eardrums.  Her eyes flicked up to Callum¡¯s neck, the crass, red bruises angry and painful looking.  Instinctively, she reached her hand up, her fingers brushing lightly over the rough, scabbed skin.


    Callum jumped.  ¡°You scared me,¡± he said quietly, that handsome, dimpled smile brightening his features.  ¡°I thought you were sleeping.¡±


    Madelynn shook her head, watching his eyes scan her face, as if searching for something wrong.  ¡°No, just lost in thought,¡± she admitted, her eyes flicking down to the bruises once again.  That had been the second time she¡¯d watched him suffer, unable to do anything to help him.


    As if sensing her thoughts, Callum¡¯s hand in her hair dropped to her back and drew her into him, until she buried her face in his chest.  ¡°You¡¯ve been¡­ off, since yesterday,¡± he said carefully,  prodding the conversation lightly, as if nervous she might unravel at the mention of the previous day¡¯s events.


    Madelynn just shrugged, not willing to share her thoughts with him just yet.  ¡°I think the shifting stole my energy.¡±  She clutched at the front of his shirt, willing away the tears tugging at the back of her eyes.  His hand resumed twisting through her curls, gently massaging at her scalp.  Why was he so stoic while she was falling apart?  How many near-deaths did it take for someone to become so immune to the lingering after-effects?  The idea of him suffering at the hands of Casimir clawed at the back of her mind.  If he could brush off being nearly strangled to death so easily, what atrocities had he already overcome?Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Callum said softly, his hands cupping her cheeks as he pulled her up to look at him.  His thumb brushed away a tear she hadn¡¯t even realized was there.  ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Madelynn frowned at the concern in his features, the softest crease forming between his brows as his eyes searched her face again.  She opened her mouth to respond, but couldn¡¯t find the words to voice her worries.  Would he even understand if she told him?  She just shook her head and tilted her head up, pressing her lips to his in the softest whisper of a kiss.  When she pulled back, he tilted his head at her, a hint of confusion pulling at the corner of his lips.  ¡°You¡¯re an incredible man,¡± she whispered, her hand coming up to caress his cheek, the stubble there tickling her fingertips.  ¡°I hope you know that.¡±


    His features softened at her words, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him once again as he let out a sigh.  ¡°You could¡¯ve just told me,¡± he said, his tone soft but laced with sarcasm, ¡°there¡¯s no reason to cry about it.¡±


    Madelynn smiled against the collar of his shirt, his white hair tickling her cheeks as she rotated so she could pull her legs up onto the bench with them.


    His hand rested comfortably on her knee as the rise and fall of his shoulders lulled them into a comfortable silence.  His warmth wrapped around her, and she couldn¡¯t help letting her thoughts wander back to that golden mist.  Casimir¡¯s Essence was soft and velvety, almost like sunlight reflecting off of an ocean of nectar.  Elise¡¯s took the form of blue light.  She wondered what Callum¡¯s Essence felt like.  She¡¯d only seen it the one time, when it climbed up his arm in a cloud of gray droplets.  She wondered what her own would look like, once she learned to harness it- hopefully less of a puss-green color than it was under her skin.


    The carriage rattled loudly as it powered through into the night, the wheels jumping over rocks and potholes.  A single lantern attached to the ceiling lit the cabin in a soft gold hue.  Elise had reclined across her bench, her bag tucked under her head as a pillow, the book in her hands sprawled across her chest as she slept- silently, this time.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Callum said suddenly, pulling himself away from Madelynn just enough to reach down into his own bag.  ¡°I grabbed this for you when I was in town the other day.¡±  He pulled out a rectangular parcel, worn cloth enclosed around what was obviously a book.


    Madelynn sat up, accepting the gift with a smile.  She pulled at the twine until the cloth fell away, revealing a leather bound book.  She flipped it over to read the title across the spine.  The Science of Essence Bearing.  ¡°Oh, this is incredible,¡± she breathed out, pulling the cover open to flip through the pages.  ¡°But, I thought you didn¡¯t think I was ready to learn?¡± she added with a raise of her eyebrows.


    Callum chuckled, his fingers brushing across the leather binds.  ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re ready to learn combative Bearing yet, but with Elise¡¯s teachings, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be there in no time.¡±  He leaned back against the wall of the cabin, stretching his long legs out around Madelynn.  ¡°I thought we could read it together, unless you¡¯re too tired.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯d love to.¡±


    She untangled herself from his legs, and he spread his arms out wide, his hands beckoning her in to lay on top of him.  ¡°It¡¯ll be comfier,¡± he drew out in a playful tone.


    A laugh erupted from Madelynn¡¯s chest as she crawled across him, letting the book drop onto his chest as she reached up to plant a kiss against his lips.  He snatched the book out from under her and smiled easily into her hair as she settled herself onto her back, her head tucked under his chin.


    ¡°Oh, your wound!¡± she exclaimed as she realized her butt was digging straight into the rune in his side.


    She bucked her hips upward, but he just wrapped his arm around her, pulling her back down onto him.  She rolled onto her belly as he swiped her hair out of his mouth.  ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said finally, a laugh dancing at the end of his words.  ¡°Thanks to our little trumpeting healer over there,¡±  He motioned toward Elise, whose mouth hung open as she slept away, ¡°it stopped hurting a few days ago.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Madelynn drawled, raising her eyebrows suggestively as she brought her hands up to cushion her chin against his collar bones.  ¡°Does that mean you¡¯ll start training me once we¡¯re settled?¡±


    He rolled his eyes, but a smile spread across his lips as he tightened his arms around her back.  ¡°Do you think of anything besides training?¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She pursed her lips, her eyes darting around as she pretended to be deep in thought.  ¡°Let¡¯s see.  I think an awful lot about your pretty eyes,¡± she said innocently, batting her own eyelashes up at him.  ¡°And your pretty dimples.¡± She brought her hand up to drag a thumb across his cheek, right where a dimple would emerge.  And the way he¡¯d groaned when she¡¯d dragged her teeth across his bottom lip.  Her gaze fell to his mouth, and he swallowed thickly at the words unspoken between them.


    He won¡¯t hesitate to lie to protect the ones he loves.


    Casimir¡¯s voice rang through her, uninvited, and that knot was back in her lower belly.  The images of Callum¡¯s body dangling in the air flashed across her vision, and she slammed her eyes shut.


    ¡°Wait, what was that?¡± Callum asked, as his hand rubbed gentle circles into her back.  ¡°What just happened?¡±


    Madelynn just shook her head, letting her forehead rest against his chin.  ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to tell you,¡± she choked out, her words dampened by her hands.


    He didn¡¯t respond right away, continuing to rub her back, until he adjusted under her, rolling her over until she stared up at the ceiling.  ¡°Well, how about this,¡± he started, his voice soft but firm as he held the book over them.  ¡°I¡¯ll read to you, since I¡¯m such an incredible man-¡± Madelynn smiled, as he hugged her against him- ¡°and we can talk about it tomorrow.¡±


    She nodded, her hand finding his, where it rested against her belly, and intertwined their fingers.  Her other hand gripped his arm, as if he might disappear out from under her.


    He cleared his throat and started on the first page.  She didn¡¯t pay attention to the words- couldn¡¯t- as the vibration of his voice rumbled through his chest, willing her to close her eyes.


    He didn¡¯t stop reading until she was on the verge of sleep.  He dropped the book down onto the floor of the cabin and let out a long sigh, shifting under her to push them further down the bench and rolled his shoulders.  He brought his free arm around her and pressed his lips into her hair.  Sleep overwhelmed her as she listened to him whisper into her hair.  She would¡¯ve thought she¡¯d imagined it if it wasn¡¯t for his hot breath tickling her scalp.


    His words held a weight she didn¡¯t realize would feel so heavy in her chest, but as she let herself slip into peaceful oblivion, she decided that she loved him too.

 Chapter 23

    Cedar, rain, mint.


    Madelynn inhaled deeply as the sweet scent tickled her nose.  She groaned, pressing her face deeper into the hardness of Callum¡¯s chest beneath her.  Oh god, she was uncomfortable.  Her legs had both gone numb, bracketing his hips at an awkward angle, her arms sore as they circled around his middle.  She wanted to get up and shake off the sleep, but as she pushed herself up to sit, she couldn¡¯t help but stop and stare.


    Callum still slept peacefully beneath her, his light eyelashes reminiscent of snowflakes against his cheeks.  His jaw was slack, for once, and all that usual tension in his features was gone.  He looked at ease, like that time she¡¯d met him on the balcony.  As if all his troubles had been left behind once he¡¯d eased into sleep.


    She smiled to herself as she watched him, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the way his hair fell around him like a halo, he looked so¡­ soft.


    He stirred under her, shifting slightly, before he grunted and his eyelids fluttered open.  Those piercing, silver eyes met hers and his lips pulled into a soft smile.  ¡°Good morning,¡± he said, his voice deep and groggy from sleep.  He blinked slowly, then a yawn consumed him.  He arched his back and brought his arms up past his head as his joints popped and cracked.  His lips smacked lazily as he dropped his hands to her waist, his thumbs rubbing feather light stripes against the skin under her shirt.


    Madelynn bit her lip, her hands coming up to rub against his firm torso.  She could feel the lines of the muscles under his white, short sleeved shirt, and she resisted the urge to rip it off of him as his eyes slowly trailed down her, then back up to her face.  ¡°Good morning,¡± she responded finally, her own voice still scratchy.  She leaned forward, her hands trailing up his chest, finding purchase in his shoulders, and she felt his hands tighten against her hips.  She brushed her lips against his before stretching upward, her arms reaching toward the ceiling.  His hands trailed softly up her, until his fingers grazed her ribs and she shuddered.


    ¡°God, you¡¯re beautiful,¡± Callum groaned out as his fingers tightened around her, but he smiled widely as her gaze met his once again.


    Madelynn blushed at the compliment, but returned the smile.  ¡°Thanks,¡± she chirped playfully, rolling her neck sideways until it popped satisfyingly.  She sighed, then let herself fall forward onto him, her face just inches from his.  He grinned greedily at her, his hands inching lower on her back, his fingers lingering-


    ¡°Would you two at least wait until I¡¯m out of nose-shot before you start reeking of lust?¡±  Madelynn¡¯s head snapped sideways, glaring at Elise.  She was still reclined on the bench, her elbow propping her head up as she drew her lips up in disgust.  ¡°I was debating climbing out the window as soon as you woke up, scared the whole carriage would burst into flames.¡±


    Madelynn sighed and rolled off of Callum, slipping off of the bench and tumbling loudly to the floor.  She landed on her back, groaning, and stared up at the ceiling.  ¡°Thank you for your input, Elise,¡± she deadpanned.  ¡°Your timing is impeccable, as always.¡±  However, she couldn¡¯t deny the relief in her legs as she stretched them out, the feeling rushing back to her toes immediately.


    ¡°Don¡¯t blame me for your inability to contain your feelings!¡± Elise shrieked, though a smile graced her features as she leaned over the edge of the bench to stare at Madelynn.  ¡°You¡¯ll have all the time in the world to fondle each other once we¡¯re in Thelm.¡±


    Madelynn laughed, scrubbing a hand over her face.  ¡°There was no fondling,¡± she started, glaring up at her friend, ¡°as I¡¯m sure you recall, since apparently you awoke before me!¡±


    Elise gaped at her, her mouth falling open.  Then she flopped onto her back with a loud sigh.  ¡°All I¡¯m saying is if you feel the need to start climbing up your husband again, at least have the decency to let me tuck and roll first.¡±


    Madelynn sat up, shaking her head at the absurdity that seemed to follow Elise everywhere.  She turned toward Callum, who had sat up, his head in his hands as his shoulders bounced with a silent laughter.  She plopped down next to her husband and rested her head on his shoulder.  ¡°Did you hear that?¡± she whispered, her hand sweeping up his back.  ¡°No more fondling today.¡±  She stuck out her bottom lip in a pout and Callum shivered, scooting away from her.


    ¡°Lord,¡± he laughed out, shaking her hands off of him, ¡°you two just feed off of each other, don¡¯t you?¡±


    Elise¡¯s head popped up just long enough for Madelynn to chuck a book at her, and she easily dodged it before laying back down.  ¡°How long until we¡¯re there?¡± she asked, bouncing her black boot against the back of the bench.  ¡°I¡¯m starving.¡±


    Callum glanced out the window, squinting against the morning light.  Madelynn followed his gaze, leaning forward to get a better look.  The view took her breath away.  Rolling hills of luscious green grass, trees stretching taller and thinner than she¡¯d ever seen, and a long, sprawling, glistening stream.  It was beautiful in an untouched, wild sort of way.  He seemed to notice her intrigue and leaned back so she could get a better view.  ¡°This is Thelm,¡± he said plainly, as if it wasn¡¯t the most magnificent expanse of land she¡¯d ever seen.


    ¡°I thought your parents lived on a farm?¡± Madelynn questioned.  She¡¯d never seen a farm like this before.


    ¡°They do,¡± he responded, crossing his ankles as he stared out the small window.  ¡°A livestock farm.¡±  He shrugged, like he hadn¡¯t left Madelynn¡¯s imagination to explore all the terrible little intricacies of life on a crop farm.  She thought it would be like Pit- filthy and vile- she hadn¡¯t considered it could be sprawling landscapes of greenery.


    As Madelynn watched the hills spin as the carriage turned, then bounced violently over a rock path.  She jolted in the seat as the carriage rocked and bobbled, before coming to a stop- a little wooden cabin visible just past another small hill.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Callum turned to Madelynn, reaching out to squeeze her hand.  ¡°You ready to meet my parents?¡±


    She smiled tightly back at him, her stomach suddenly dropping down to her toes.  But, she pushed through it and tightened her fingers around his hand as well.  ¡°Ready,¡± she breathed out.


    ¡ª--


    The short trek to the cabin was short, but grueling.  Those rolling hills, no matter how beautiful, turned out to be quite steep and slippery, Madelynn¡¯s legs burning by the time they reached the front door.  Her mind reeled.  Were they going to like her?  What was she supposed to say to them?  She didn¡¯t even think to ask Callum if he¡¯d told them she was pregnant, or if he just expected them to play along with whatever game they were trapped in.  Would they be tall and stoic like him?  Would they think her a harlot for trapping their son in a marriage of convenience?


    Callum gave her one last reassuring smile before turning to knock on the small, yet ornately carved door and Madelynn prepared for the worst, squaring her shoulders and clenching her jaw.


    Almost immediately, the door flew open and slammed against the inner wall.  ¡°Come in!¡± a woman¡¯s voice boomed through the doorway.  ¡°We¡¯re in the kitchen!¡±


    Madelynn drew her eyebrows together and balked at Callum.  Who¡¯d opened the door?  There was no one in sight.


    As if reading her mind, Callum grinned in a way she¡¯d never seen before- loose and wide, as if he was just a boy returning home from camp.  ¡°My family is much less¡­ conservative with their Essence than I am,¡± he said slowly, ushering her and Elise inside.


    The cottage was as small as it appeared on the outside.  The entrance led straight into the family room, where a large, orange floral sofa took up most of the space.  Madelynn scanned the area curiously, but was cut short as Callum grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.


    He drug her through a slim doorway, her body being pulled faster than her feet, and then was crashing against Callum¡¯s shoulder when he came to a stop in front of a long range with six burners instead of the usual four.


    ¡°Cal!¡±  That same woman¡¯s voice shrieked, and a tall, slender woman strode through the kitchen and crashed into Callum with enough force that Madelynn had to step back to avoid being trampled.  He wrapped his arms tightly around her upper back while she cradled his face in her hands.  ¡°Oh, it¡¯s been far too long!¡±  She had long white hair cascading down her back in loose waves and, as she pulled away from Callum and turned her attention to Madelynn, her deep blue eyes crinkled into a smile.  ¡°And this must be your wife?¡± she asked, her voice soft and tentative.


    Callum beamed as he reached out for Madelynn¡¯s hand, pulling her closer.  She stumbled as she stepped toward the woman, who towered four or five inches taller than her even in her riding boots.  ¡°Mom,¡± he said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Madelynn like she was the most important person in the world to him, ¡°this is Madelynn, my wife.  Maddie, this is my mom.¡±


    He gestured toward the imposing, but kind faced woman, and she held her hand out as a greeting.  ¡°It¡¯s so nice to-¡±


    She was abruptly cut off as the woman took a step forward and wrapped her in a too-tight hug.  When she stepped back, she dropped her hands to Madelynn¡¯s.  ¡°You¡¯re just as beautiful as Cal said you were,¡± she said sweetly, tilting her head slightly as she studied her face.


    Madelynn smiled tightly, suddenly feeling awkward at the compliment.  ¡°Thank you, Ma¡¯am,¡± she replied softly.  Callum looked just like his mother.  They had the same white hair, light eyelashes, high cheekbones and sharp jawline.  They even had the same dimples.  The only difference was her eyes- hers were a deep, midnight blue.


    ¡°Oh, drop the honorifics,¡± she said playfully, squeezing Madelynn¡¯s hands before dropping them.  ¡°Call me Lora.¡±


    Madelynn nodded, taking a small step toward Callum so their arms brushed together.  He noticed her trepidation and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.  His mother turned toward Elise and stepped forward into a hug once again.


    ¡°And you must be Elise!¡± she chirped, before pulling away and grabbing her by the arms, bending at the waist to look her in the eyes.  ¡°Callum says you¡¯re quite the healer?¡±


    Elise shot Callum a look of surprise before turning back to his mother.  ¡°Uh¡­¡± she drawled, then nodded slowly.  ¡°I mean, I wouldn¡¯t say I¡¯m anything special.  I learned a bit from my High Lady¡¯s handmaiden, but-¡±


    ¡°She saved my life, Mom,¡± Callum interrupted in a lighthearted tone.  ¡°Don¡¯t let her fool you.¡±


    Elise laughed nervously, scratching at her hairline. They carried on around Madelynn, comments about how any friend of his was family to her. Madelynn tried to keep listening, but the words turned to static as her ears started to ring.


    Elise saved his life.


    Of course, she had. Madelynn¡¯s hands felt clammy, her fingers twitching as though searching for something useful to do¡ªsomething she never managed in those moments when it mattered most. What had she done? Stood there, frozen and useless, while the man she loved bled and gasped.


    The guilt burrowed deep, twisting its sharp edges against her ribs. She¡¯d thought about it every night since. When her eyes closed, it was there, waiting¡ªtaunting her. The color fading from his lips. The bruises blooming on his throat. The sickly green Essence seeping from his skin. And now, hearing it aloud, hearing him say it so casually, twisted the knife all over again.


    Elise had acted. Elise had saved him. What had Madelynn done?


    Her breath hitched, and she forced herself to focus on the grain of the wooden floor beneath her boots. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest grew uneven as panic licked up the back of her neck.


    Callum stiffened beside her, his hand tightening at her waist. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he murmured, his voice so low that it didn¡¯t interrupt the conversation between Elise and his mother. His breath tickled her ear, warm and comforting, but it couldn¡¯t chase away the storm brewing inside her.


    Madelynn¡¯s throat tightened. She couldn¡¯t respond. What was she supposed to say? That she hated herself for not being stronger? That every time she looked at him, she couldn¡¯t stop seeing all the ways she had failed him?


    The weight of it pressed harder against her chest, threatening to crush her where she stood.


    Callum cleared his throat, his tone light but firm as he interrupted the conversation. ¡°We¡¯re going to go and find Dad,¡± he announced, not waiting for a reply as he guided her toward the back door.


    Madelynn stumbled as he led her away, her boots scraping against the wooden floor. She heard Lora¡¯s soft, ¡°He¡¯s out back in the barn,¡± followed by something reassuring about how much her husband would love her. But the words felt muffled, like she was underwater.


    The door swung open, and the cool, crisp air hit her face, breaking the spell of her spiraling thoughts. Callum¡¯s hand was still at her hip, steady and solid, but her legs felt like they might give out beneath her.


    He turned to face her, concern etched into his features. ¡°Maddie,¡± he said softly, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Her breath came in uneven gasps as she forced herself to meet his eyes. ¡°I¡­¡± she started, but the words stuck in her throat. She shook her head, looking away.  She couldn¡¯t do this.  Not here.  Not now.

 Chapter 24

    The hike to the barn passed in a blur.  The rolling hills, steep and slick beneath her boots, demanded her focus, but her thoughts still tangled into knots.  Callum¡¯s father greeted them warmly, his wide frame filling the doorway as his booming laugh echoed off the wooden walls.  His silver eyes, so much like Callum¡¯s, twinkled as he clapped his son on the back and turned to Madelynn with a firm handshake.


    ¡°You¡¯ve done the impossible,¡± he said with a grin.  ¡°Didn¡¯t think anyone could tame this one.¡±


    Madelynn managed a smile, though the words left a hollow ache in her chest.  She laughed along with the easy banter at lunch- the five of them gathered around the meal of bread and soup- nodding when prompted and offering polite responses.  Callum¡¯s mother fitted about the table, all warmth and gentle teasing, while his father humored them with stories of Callum¡¯s childhood.  Elise jumped in with her perfectly timed, snarky jokes, matching their jovial energy effortlessly.


    But for Madelynn, the day seemed to drift around her, the laughter and conversation muffled like the hum of a distant storm.  She felt like she were watching it all through a foggy window, her body present but her mind somewhere far away.  Every joke about taming Callum, every compliment on her poise, only seemed to push her deeper into herself.


    It wasn¡¯t until Callum¡¯s hand found hers beneath the table, his thumb brushing soft circles against her skin, that the fog lifted briefly.  He gave her a small, reassuring smile, and for a moment, she let herself believe that this could be enough.


    By the time they reached the guest house, the sun had dipped low on the horizon, casting the sky in shades of orange and pink.  The warm glow seemed to press against the windows of the small, cozy cabin.


    Callum dropped their bags onto the dusty wooden floor with a sigh, flopping into a bright orange armchair.  ¡°Welcome home,¡± he said with a lopsided grin, gesturing around him.  ¡°It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯s better than that inn.¡±


    Madelynn hovered in the doorway, her gaze flicking over the mismatched furniture and creaky floors.  It was quaint, far from the luxury she¡¯d grown up with, but it felt somehow comforting.  Like Callum.


    ¡°It¡¯s lovely,¡± she said softly, stepping further inside and sinking onto the dusty blue sofa.  The air felt lighter here, and for the first time all day, her chest didn¡¯t feel so tight.


    Elise flopped down beside her, studying her with a sharp, discerning look.  ¡°Alright,¡± she said, crossing her arms.  ¡°What¡¯s been going on with you?  You¡¯ve been weird all day.¡±


    Madelynn blinked, startled by the bluntness, and forced a weak smile.  ¡°I don¡¯t know what you mean.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t give me that.¡±  Elise leaned closer, squinting at her.  ¡°You¡¯ve looked like a ghost all damn day.¡±


    ¡°I said I¡¯m fine, Elise,¡± Madelynn snapped, her words coming out sharper than she¡¯d meant.


    Callum¡¯s head snapped up to look at her with raised eyebrows, as if asking what her problem was.  Madelynn just shook her head at him, dismissing the unspoken conversation, but Callum squinted at her, and she curled her lips in a mock snarl.  Then he smiled goofily, his eyes going wide as if she¡¯d said something ridiculous and Madelynn chuckled.


    ¡°Oh, I get it,¡± Elise drawled, standing up and holding her hands up in defeat.  ¡°I can catch a hint when it¡¯s thrown my way.¡±


    When Madelynn furrowed her brows in confusion, Elise raised her eyebrows suggestively, looking between her and Callum.  ¡°I¡¯m going to retire to my chambers with a good book.¡±  She took a few steps toward the smaller of the two bedrooms, but stopped mid step and turned back to them with a smirk.  ¡°Hopefully something less lewd than whatever you two kids are up to.¡±  Then she winked, and scampered off into her room, leaving Madelynn and Callum to simmer in whatever the hell that was.


    Callum dropped his head into his hands.  ¡°What is with her obsession with our lewd activities?¡± he groaned out.


    Madelynn licked her lips, feeling a blush creeping up her neck at the implications of her statement.  They were married, after all.  ¡°She¡¯s been obsessed with all the unmentionable moments of mine since we were children,¡± she laughed out.  ¡°She¡¯s so in love with the idea of love, but refuses to let herself find any, so she lives vicariously through mine.¡±


    Callum raised his eyebrows, leaning forward just slightly.  ¡°Oh?¡± he asked in a rather vulgar tone, though his easy smile suggested otherwise.  ¡°Have there been many of these unmentionable moments?¡±


    Madelynn frowned as the blush blossomed in her cheeks, spreading heat throughout her.  She didn¡¯t even know what to say to that, not when his eyes were focused so intensely on hers, as if he was trying to see straight through them into her soul.


    But then he let out a breathy chuckle and stood up, his long legs crossing the room in three strides as he approached a short ice box in the kitchen.  ¡°Would you care for a drink, M¡¯lady?¡± he asked playfully, pulling a large bottle of something from the box.


    ¡°I would love one,¡± she said greedily, thankful for the break in the tension that had fallen over them.  She stood to join him at the counter as he pulled two small glasses from the cabinet.  ¡°What is our drink of choice for the evening?¡±


    He rotated the glass bottle in his hand, a frown forming on his face as he searched for the label, then nodded and held it out for her to see.  ¡°Some sort of incredibly inexpensive gin, which I¡¯m sure will be just as incredibly disgusting.¡±


    Madelynn smiled and grabbed a glass from the counter and held it up for him to fill.  ¡°Perfect.¡±


    He filled hers to the top, then filled his, and they clinked their glasses together.  Madelynn took one deep breath, let it out, inhaled one more time, then tilted the glass, downing the drink in two long swallows.


    She lowered it to the counter with a thunk and shivered as the liquid burnt her throat.  And when she looked back up at Callum, he was standing still, wide eyed as he took a sip from his glass.  She bit her lip as he raised his eyebrow, his eyes flicking to the glass, then back to her.  ¡°So it¡¯s that kind of night?¡±  He looked away from her, still looking wildly impressed, and filled her glass again.  Then he straightened and tilted his own glass up.  She watched as he swallowed the alcohol easily, his adam¡¯s apple bobbing as it went down.  She watched as he clenched his jaw, admiring the way the golden lights danced off his muscles and highlighted the blue in his eyes.  He licked his lips, and she couldn¡¯t help but imagine herself doing the same.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    She pulled herself out of her trance, shaking her head, as she grabbed her own drink once again.  She brought it up to her lips, but his hand darted out, pressing against her lips as he stopped her from drinking it.  ¡°Wait- if we¡¯re going to be going shot for shot, we should at least make it fun.¡±  He took the drink from her hand, his long, slender fingers wrapping around it in a way that sent heat to places she couldn¡¯t mention.


    What was wrong with her?  She pulled her gaze away from his hand, forcing herself to meet his eyes as he continued.  ¡°I suggest we play a little game.¡±  He raised his eyebrow- a challenge- and she knew she¡¯d already lost.


    ¡°What kind of game?¡±


    He hesitated, pursing his lips as he thought.  ¡°What about truth or drink?¡±


    Madelynn frowned and shook her head.  She¡¯d played all kinds of drinking games with Elise when they¡¯d steal her parents¡¯ liquor.  They¡¯d played a Truth and a Lie- her personal least favorite- Drink every time Miriam is condescending toward someone, she¡¯d even played drinking games centered around a deck of cards.


    Callum grinned, but the mischief in his eyes made her breath hitch as he grabbed the bottle off the counter and started toward the couch.  ¡°I¡¯ll ask you a question,¡± he said over his shoulder as Madelynn scurried to join him, ¡°and you¡¯ll either answer- truthfully- or you¡¯ll drink.¡±  He slumped down onto the couch, his legs pulling up to rest on the small table in the center of the room.   ¡°And vice versa, of course.¡±


    Madelynn joined him, sitting across from him and pulling her legs up to her chest.  ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± she asked, plucking her drink from his hand.  ¡°There¡¯s no catch?¡±


    He shook his head.  ¡°No catch.¡±  He held his drink up in a silent Cheers! and tilted his drink back.  Madelynn followed suit, refusing to let herself get lost in the sharp line of his jaw or divots in his muscles again.  She took a deep breath once she¡¯d swallowed it, blinking to clear the tears from her eyes.  ¡°However,¡± he continued, a finger running absentmindedly over the rim of the glass, ¡°if you lie¡­ you strip.¡±


    Madelynn gaped at him, her breath catching in her throat, and she coughed wildly as he laughed, his dimples carving little crescents in his cheeks.  ¡°I¡¯m joking,¡± he said once he¡¯d caught his breath, and Madelynn relaxed just a bit.


    ¡°Okay, so,¡± she began, holding her glass out for him to refill, ¡°I¡¯ll go first.¡±  She bit back a smile as he poured the brown liquid into her cup, and she sat back, letting it roll against her lips as she thought.  What was something she desperately wanted to know about him?  Something that she¡¯d regret not asking, given the opportunity.  She purposefully avoided his gaze as her thoughts trailed to some risque places, but she finally settled on her question after a moment.  ¡°What did you think of me when we first met?¡±


    Callum picked at his middle finger nail, a sly smile spreading across his lips.  ¡°Are you sure you want that answer?¡±  He looked up at her, and her toes curled, her eyes going wide.  What was that supposed to mean?  She chewed violently on her lip, but nodded.  He looked away from her, his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek as he exhaled heavily.  ¡°Well, I had a few thoughts in that fleeting moment.¡±  His eyes flashed back to her, and she could¡¯ve sworn that was a blush decorating his cheeks.  ¡°First, I thought you were¡­¡± he raised his eyebrows and shook his head, as if still flabbergasted at the memory, ¡°... the sexiest woman I¡¯d ever seen.¡±


    She sucked in a breath, feeling an unfamiliar pressure in her lower belly, and she adjusted on the couch, crossing her legs under herself.


    ¡°And then¡± he continued, sighing loudly, his cheeks puffing out, ¡°I thought you were the biggest idiot I¡¯d ever met.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s mouth fell open.  ¡°Hey!¡± She reached over and slapped him playfully on the arm.  ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    He chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender.  ¡°You asked, I¡¯m just answering!¡±  But, he went on anyway, trying and failing to stifle a smile.  ¡°I saw the way you looked at me- I mean, you were practically drooling while you were dancing with that poor lad.  And I knew exactly what you thought of me.¡±


    She felt her blush deepen as she recalled the moment.  Had she truly been so obvious?  Embarrassment quickly joined the pressure in her belly, and she brought her hand up to hide her eyes as she tried not to laugh at herself.


    ¡°I knew I could¡¯ve made a move on you that night, and what an idiot that made you.  A noble Young Lady and a soldier- a truly terrible pairing.¡±  He grinned widely and Madelynn matched the gesture.  ¡°I almost asked you to dance just to see if you could handle being that close to me.  But,¡± he continued, holding his arms out around him as if he hadn¡¯t just sent her thoughts spiraling to dangerous places, ¡°I answered your question, so I do believe it¡¯s my turn.¡±


    Madelynn straightened her back, preparing herself for whatever was going to emerge from his mouth.


    He hesitated, his eyes never leaving hers as he thought.  ¡°If I hadn¡¯t stopped you that night- after our wedding- would you have let me¡­¡± His gaze slowly trailed down her, and she could nearly feel his eyes piercing into her.


    She blinked, thinking back to the moment.  She¡¯d straddled him, her teeth dragging across his bottom lip, and the sound he¡¯d made-


    She tilted her head back and downed her drink in one swallow.  Her whole body was on fire, her shirt and trousers touching her in all the wrong places, and suddenly the room was too small- too cramped for all the tension building inside her.  She wanted to reach down inside herself and rip out whatever was making her feel this way.  She couldn¡¯t think about it- going all the way with him.  She¡¯d never done that before, and it felt obscene to even entertain the idea.  Is that what he wanted?  Was that what she¡¯d wanted in the moment?  That¡¯s what she wanted in this moment.


    Her thoughts spiraled as she continued to lose control over them, the alcohol lowering her ability to¡­ control much of anything.


    Callum leaned toward her, his eyes drifting down to her lips, then back up to her eyes.  ¡°Cheater,¡± he said quietly, his tongue darting out to run across the bottom of his teeth.


    Madelynn took a deep breath, and her chest heaving as he looked at her like she was something utterly delicious.  ¡°Yes,¡± she blurted before her mind could catch up with her mouth.  ¡°I would have.¡±


    He nodded slowly, that damn cocky smile gracing his features as he leaned back, and tipped his own drink back then licked his lips, his eyes never leaving hers.


    It was her turn again, and her mind was blank.  All she could think of was the way his eyes were devouring her.  ¡°Would you stop me now?¡±


    For a moment, he froze, his jaw tightening as if he was warring with himself.  She couldn¡¯t even feel embarrassed by the question, not while he was looking at her like that.  Not when he leaned over to put his empty glass on the table- then stood and plucked hers from her hand and did the same.


    He sat next to her, close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from his body, and tilted his head slightly, his eyes flicking between hers.  His mouth opened as if to say something, but no words came.  Then he exhaled sharply, his hand finding the back of her head to twine in her curls, and crashed his lips into hers with the same desperation she felt in her belly.

 Chapter 25

    CHAPTER 25


    His teeth immediately found her bottom lip and tugged.  Madelynn let out a shaky breath and Callum took his chance to slip his tongue to hers.  Her hands came up and tangled in his hair.  She pulled at the tufts at the top of his neck and he sank down on top of her, his chest heavy against hers as their breath mingled.


    His hand traced up her arm, leaving gooseflesh in its wake, and came up to cup under her ear as his mouth left hers.  He kissed down her neck, until he found the spot, right above her collar bone, that made her gasp.  She arched into him, her nails digging into the back of his neck.


    Then, he pulled away from her, pushing himself up so he sat on his knees above her.  She immediately missed the warmth that he pressed down on her, but he grabbed at her hands, pulling her up with him.  She tried to rationalize with herself- but her thoughts were fleeting as he dragged her up to her feet and led her to the master bedroom.


    She didn¡¯t even get the chance to grasp the layout of the room before he slammed the door, pushing her roughly against the wall, his thigh coming between her legs as he smashed his lips against hers again.


    Her hands found purchase in his shoulders as she held back a moan at the pressure in her core.  She tilted her head as his lips trailed lower again, but something inside her- something she¡¯d never felt before- rose to the surface, and she shoved him backward.  He took a steadying step, his brows furrowing for just a fleeting moment, before his gaze turned hungry once again as she approached him.


    She wrapped her arms around his neck as her lips met his once again, walking him back until his legs knocked against the bedframe, and he fell onto his back.


    His mouth fell open, a filthy smile stretching his lips upward as she climbed on top of him.  Her legs bracketed his as she straddled him, her hips rocking against him in a way that had her stifling a moan.  She found the hem of his shirt and pushed it upward, her hands exploring the delicious curves of his abdominal muscles.  He didn¡¯t hesitate in reaching down and pulling the fabric over his head, and Madelynn sat up, letting her eyes consume every inch of him.


    He was breathtaking.  His muscles twitched under her fingers as she ran them up him with a feather-light touch.  She leaned down, her lips trailing the line her fingers drew up him.  He tilted his head back, not bothering to stifle the groan that escaped his mouth when her lips met the spot just below his ribs.


    She kissed the spot again, this time her teeth dragging against the skin there, and his hips bucked up against her- and suddenly she could feel all of him.  She tentatively rocked her hips back, letting the hardness of him drag against her, and she clenched her eyes shut, relishing in the bliss that shot through her.  His hands flew to her waist, his fingers tightening around her as he pushed her hips back, bearing down on him with a new forcefulness.


    She panted against his chest, but her lips continued their journey upward until she found his mouth once again.


    The feeling of his breath against her, the way his eyes watched her with such a gentle urgency, left her feeling feral.  She reached for his hands and pulled at his fingers until he was grasping the bottom of her shirt.  She sat up on him, stretching her arms up above her head as he pulled the shirt upward.


    She didn¡¯t dare look down at him.  She wanted to cover up, suddenly feeling overly exposed, like this was wrong.  But his fingers dug into her back just enough for her to realize how much he wanted this.  His hands hesitated, and he knew that if she pulled away now, he wouldn¡¯t stop her.  She stole a glance down at him, and realized he was watching her face, waiting to see her reaction- waiting to see if she wanted this too.  She did, right?


    Not willing to let the moment slip away- not when he was looking at her like that- she leaned back, arching her back as her hands found his thighs.  A groan so deep it nearly echoed as a growl escaped him, and his hands finally moved, gently caressing the curve of her breasts.


    She moaned into the open air at his touch, and she expected him to grip her- to ravage her- but he just let his fingers softly trace back down her before wrapping around her hips once again.


    She felt a ping of hurt as she recalled the other Ladies of Court talking about their breasts- the way men wanted nothing but to bury their faces in them and then devour them whole.  Was Madelynn not enough for him?


    She sat forward, the hunger between her thighs easing, but then he sat up, wrapping his arms around her in a delicate embrace as his lips found hers and gently worked against them.


    She could feel that his lips were swollen and chapped- hers likely were too- and his stubble scratched at her cheeks as he lifted her and rotated out from under her.  He laid her on her back, his arms coming out from under her to trail down her belly and down to her pants.


    He sprang the buttons free with an expert precision as his mouth trailed down her neck.  He kissed down her sternum, his tongue licking against her skin in a way that nearly brought tears to her eyes.  Everything he did felt so good, so why did it feel so wrong?


    As his lips reached the edge of her pant-line, he looked up at her, his eyes scanning her for some sort of reaction, and she nodded before throwing her head back against the pillow.  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    He used one hand to lift her hips, the other pulling her pants down.  Just as she was beginning to regret letting him undress her, he adjusted her undergarments, pulling them back into place before he let them slip too far down.  She breathed out a silent sigh of relief as he pulled her pants from her ankles and discarded them somewhere on the floor.


    She watched him watch her.  He was on his knees at the edge of the bed, his eyes so full of want that all she wanted to do was make him feel as good as he made her feel.  She pushed herself upright, locking their lips together once again, her hands feeling for his waistband.  He pushed off the bed, bending at the waist to keep their lips intertwined as she fumbled with the button of his pants.


    He¡¯d made it seem so easy, but her hands shook as she tried once again to get the button through the loop, and he pulled away from her.  He stood, staring down at her with the most sincere, gentle smile she¡¯d ever seen, as he moved her hands aside and unbuttoned his own pants.


    She watched his hands as he undressed himself, his grey briefs emerging from under his black slacks, and it took every bit of restraint she had left not to gape at the outline of him through his undergarments.  How was that supposed to fit inside her?  Her cheeks burned and her stomach knotted as she forced her eyes back up to his.


    His smile morphed into a sly smirk as he lowered himself back on top of her, his chest knocking into hers and forcing her onto her back again.  ¡°If you keep looking at me like that, this moment may be cut much shorter than expected.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s mouth fell open at his words, a laugh torn from deep inside her as he pressed his forehead against hers.  She let her eyes explore his face, all the things she¡¯d never been able to admire in their fleeting moments together.  The light freckles that dusted his nose, the dashes of darker grey in his beard, the red veins stretching from the corner of his eyes.


    The smile fell off her face.  No.  She couldn¡¯t do this now- she couldn¡¯t let herself fall back into that place- not when she was so close to being complete.  All she wanted was to make him feel like she was worth all he¡¯d sacrificed for her, yet her mind still wandered, still fell back into that moment.  She had been so useless, but this was where she could thrive.  This was where she could prove herself to be worth something.


    His brow furrowed as he watched her, but she didn¡¯t let the moment stretch any longer.  She pressed her lips to his in a deep, longing kiss, her hands traveling down his chest until she found his waistband.


    Then, his hand found hers, holding it still against his abdomen.


    ¡°Madelynn,¡± he said sharply, not the groan or moan she¡¯d expected, and her eyes shot open.  He was still watching her, his face unreadable.  She¡¯d made him angry.  She¡¯d hesitated and he was going to realize how useless she was.  The one thing she was meant to be good at, and she still couldn¡¯t perform.  She tried to pull her hand free from his, but he held firm.  ¡°Are you sure you want this?¡±


    She nodded, not giving herself the chance to think it over.  She needed to do this- needed to prove to herself that she could be anything except a burden.  She pulled against him again, but he easily pulled her hand away from him, pinning it at her side.


    His voice was soft, but broken and gruff as he spoke, ¡°If we do this, there¡¯s no taking it back.¡±  He released his hold on her hand to support himself on his elbows, brushing a strand of hair from her face.  ¡°If you¡¯re not ready, it¡¯s okay.¡±


    She didn¡¯t let herself overthink it.  It was normal to be nervous her first time- her mother had given her that talk years ago when her sisters first got married.  She knew what it was supposed to be.  But, she couldn¡¯t stop the feeling of tears pricking at the back of her eyes as she reached for his waistband again.  ¡°Please,¡± she gasped out, fighting against her closing throat, ¡°let me do this for you.¡±


    He closed his eyes at her words, letting out a breath that bordered on sounding sad, and he sat up, pulling away from her entirely.


    She¡¯d ruined it.


    She wrapped her arms around herself, desperate to cover up against the shame she¡¯d brought down on herself.  She was pathetic.  She couldn¡¯t even pleasure her husband the way he needed.


    Then, strong arms wrapped around her shoulders, and suddenly she was pressed against Callum¡¯s chest as he hugged her tight.  ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything for me,¡± he whispered into her hair, his hands splaying against her bare back as she pulled her legs up to wrap under her.


    Why was he being kind to her when all she did was drag him down?  She felt her face scrunch as the tears she¡¯d been working so hard to suppress fell from her closed eyelids.


    ¡°Maddie,¡± Callum breathed, leaning away from her just long enough to grab his shirt off the end of the bed.  He pulled it over her head, and she slipped her arms through the holes as he pulled it down to cover her naked figure.  ¡°What has you wound so tightly today?¡±


    A sob wracked through her body at his words, and her mouth started moving before she could stop it.  ¡°I am stuck in that moment,¡± she started, her teeth chattering as she held back another sob.  ¡°Every single time I close my eyes, I see you laying on the floor in front of me, all the life drained from your eyes, while I did nothing.¡±  She took a shaky breath, her body convulsing as he wrapped his arms tighter around her.  ¡°I look at you, and all I see is how horribly I failed you.  I was useless while you nearly died twice!¡±


    She pushed herself away from him, letting her eyes dart down to those bruises, now fading into purple.  ¡°I cannot get those images out of my head,¡± she continued, doubling over on herself, watching her hands clutch at the dark red sheets under them.  ¡°And all I can think about is how I would have watched you die if it wasn¡¯t for Elise.  I was frozen, and even if I wasn¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t have known how to help you.¡±  She snapped her gaze back up to his, and he looked at her with so much pity that her stomach nearly seized.  Another sob threatened to tear through her, but she braced a hand against her belly and took a deep breath.  ¡°I have done nothing but bring you torment, and you still look at me like I¡¯m someone who deserves to be with you.  And- and-¡± The sob broke through her walls and she collapsed against him, her forehead resting on his chest as she worked on steadying herself.


    He didn¡¯t urge her forward, didn¡¯t push her to reveal any more than what she¡¯d already confessed.  He just gripped her hand and pulled it up to his chest until she could feel his heart hammering against his ribs.


    His other hand came to her chin, dragging her face up until she looked at him.  ¡°Do you feel that?¡± he asked softly, his eyes darting between hers.  ¡°I am here, I am alive, and I will never leave you.¡±


    She brought her free hand to her mouth as she let her head fall forward once again.  He dropped her other hand and pulled her against him, easing backward until she was curled up in a blanket of his warmth.  She pressed herself against him, reaching her arms around him until she was sure she¡¯d suffocate if he pulled any closer.  ¡°I can¡¯t lose you,¡± she whispered into his chest, her body heaving when there were no more tears to spill.


    He pulled back enough to look her in the eyes, his hands still wrapped around her shoulders.  His eyes stared into hers with so much intensity she thought she might explode as he spoke.  ¡°Madelynn Haw-¡± He paused, tilting his head down and raising an eyebrow as he corrected himself.  ¡°Madelynn Whitlock-¡± He smiled softly, as if hearing her name before his brought him pride- ¡°you have become everything to me, and I will do everything in my power to make sure you never feel that way again.¡±


    Then, he hugged her against himself again, and kissed her hair.  He held her like that until her body stopped convulsing, her breathing evened, and she slipped into a peaceful dream of fresh rain and cedar trees.

 Chapter 26

    The cold was biting, leaving behind little speckles of gooseflesh as Madelynn wrapped her arms around herself.  The bed dipped next to her, and she peeled her swollen eyes open to see Callum sitting on the edge of the bed, leaning down as he fiddled with something.  A pristin black uniform decorated him, and his hair was slicked back- those beautiful waves held flat under the weight of hair gel.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked, reaching out to run her fingers against the rough fabric of his uniform.


    He startled, his back going rigid before he turned to look at her, a sad smile stretching his lips.  He¡¯d shaved off his stubble, that gruff, messy looking man refined into the soldier she¡¯d just barely met that night at the Banquet.  ¡°You¡¯re up early,¡± he breathed out as he reached out and ran a knuckle down her cheek.  ¡°I have to go to work.¡±  His eyes trailed down her for just a moment before he turned away from her again.


    She pushed herself upright, watching as he laced up his boot.  ¡°Work?¡± she asked, her voice still scratchy from sleep.  ¡°What are they going to have you doing?¡±


    Finished tying his boot, he sat up straight and rolled his shoulders.  ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet.¡±  His voice was soft, and Madelynn¡¯s brows drew together, wondering if he was upset over last night.  ¡°We¡¯re a long way from Daam, so I imagine it¡¯ll be office work.¡±


    ¡°Sounds¡­boring.¡±  She crossed her legs under her and watched as he stood, twisting his back and tilting his neck as his joints popped.  ¡°How long will you be gone?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back before the sun goes down,¡± he said easily, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead.  His hand ran through her curls as he stood straight again, his eyes full of something she couldn¡¯t quite place.  ¡°My mom dropped by this morning with some biscuits.  They¡¯re being kept warm in the furn, I believe.¡±  He watched her for a second longer before turning away and exiting the bedroom.


    ¡°Callum!¡± Madelynn pushed herself off the bed, her bare feet padding across the wooden floor.  ¡°You¡¯re leaving so soon?¡±


    He was nearly at the door when he turned around to look at her.  ¡°I¡¯m already running late,¡± he said, his voice tense.  ¡°It¡¯s my first day in a new setting, I can¡¯t tarnish my reputation with tardiness already.¡±


    Madelynn frowned as he turned away from her and slammed the door behind himself.  She followed him, pulling the door open once again, and watched his carriage depart without so much as a wave from him.  She wrapped her arms around herself as Callum¡¯s oversized t-shirt did little to keep the brisk morning air from digging into her skin.


    Mud squelched between her toes as she turned back around and stepped back into the small cabin.  What was his problem?  He seemed so tense, and she was nearly positive it wasn¡¯t from the prospect of being late to work.  Maybe he was nervous about starting a new job after being campaigning for so long?  Or was he frustrated with her inability to¡­ perform¡­ last night?


    The memory of their drunk escapades crashed down on Madelynn like a sack of bricks and she slumped against the door, sinking down onto the rough floor of the cottage.  Her mother would¡¯ve called her a prude for what she¡¯d done last night- the other Ladies would have mocked her and said she was a tease.  Was that what Callum thought of her?


    She took a deep breath, letting her head fall back to knock against the door.  Was she truly such a failure?  Callum had cradled her with such gentleness, so much love, and all she¡¯d done is let him down again.  Maybe she wasn¡¯t ready to be a wife, maybe he¡¯d been right and the marriage had been a mistake.  She¡¯d thought things would get better after they¡¯d been wed, easier, but everything was just a new form of complicated now.


    She felt like a rabbit stuck in a pit of lions.  On one end, she had Callum, who was so loving, so respectful- and his family, who¡¯d shown her nothing but kindness.  On the other, she had her family.  Her mother, with her scornful eyes and rotten tongue, and her father¡¯s quiet condescension.  And Casimir- her stomach seized at the thought.  He¡¯d come back for her.  He¡¯d come and take her again and she¡¯d be forced to endure whatever he threw at her because if not, he¡¯d hurt Callum.  Again.  She couldn¡¯t let that happen- couldn¡¯t watch him suffer because of her poor choices anymore.  When Casimir came for her, she¡¯d leave willingly.  She¡¯d endure his torment so Callum didn¡¯t have to.  Maybe then, she¡¯d be good enough for him.  Be the wife he needed her to be.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Madelynn scrubbed her hands over her face.  She was wallowing again, and she hated herself for it.  If Callum was here, he¡¯d scoop her up in his arms and tell her everything was okay because they were together.  But¡­ everything wasn¡¯t okay.  She was falling apart and everyone around her just seemed to tiptoe around that fact, like if they ignored the problem for long enough, her life would just piece itself back together.  Or maybe they just didn¡¯t care enough to acknowledge her torment.


    Callum cared, right?


    ¡°Maddie?¡±


    Elise¡¯s soft voice drew Madelynn from her thoughts.  She looked up to see her looking down at her with raised eyebrows.  She hadn¡¯t even heard her emerge from her room.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Elise asked, kneeling down next to Madelynn, placing a tentative hand on her arm.


    Madelynn closed her eyes, willing the lingering thoughts of doom from her mind.  ¡°Yeah,¡± she breathed out, pushing herself to stand, ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡± Elise asked tentatively, as if Madelynn was on the verge of snapping in half.  She was.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Madelynn replied, forcing a smile.  She turned toward the kitchen and called over her shoulder, ¡°Callum said Lora stopped by this morning with some biscuits.¡±  She knelt next to the open furn, the smell of smoke smacking her in the face as she reached in and felt for the biscuits.  She¡¯d always hated that smell- hated the way it reminded her of her father¡¯s cigars when she was just a child.  Things had been so much easier then, back when her largest worry was whether or not she¡¯d get the largest helping of noodles at dinner.  Back when her sisters were still around to pick her up when she fell, when she was surrounded by so much love it threatened to suffocate her.


    When had things gone so wrong?


    Then, Elise¡¯s hand appeared on her back, and she knelt down next to her with a concerned look.  ¡°Do you want to talk about last night?¡±


    Madelynn balked, leaning away from her.  ¡°What do you know of last night?¡± she accused.


    Elise held up her hands in surrender.  ¡°I don¡¯t know anything!¡± she shouted, standing back up and whirling away from Madelynn.  ¡°All I¡¯m saying is I barely even had the chance to settle down with my book before you two started ravaging each other¡­ by the sounds of it at least.¡±  She shot Madelynn a smirk that felt more like a knife in the pit of her belly.


    When Madelynn just stared at her, Elise tilted her head, the smirk falling form her face as she nervously twiddled her fingers in front of her.  ¡°Is that not what happened?¡±


    Madelynn scratched at the back of her neck, not knowing how to respond.  It had almost happened.  And then she¡¯d nearly puked on him with all the sobbing that had torn through her.


    She felt pathetic all over again as Elise slid to the floor, leaning against the wall opposite her.  ¡°Can you please let me in?¡± Elise asked softly, her voice a quiet plea.  ¡°Every day since the wedding, you¡¯re slowly slipping away from me.¡±  She didn¡¯t meet Madelynn¡¯s gaze, her eyes watching her hands in her lap.  ¡°I¡¯m supposed to be your best friend, but every time you shut me out, I feel like even more of a jester in your and Callum¡¯s court.¡±


    Madelynn bowed her head.  Elise was right.  Madelynn had been so focused on her own struggles, she hadn¡¯t stopped to consider that she was pulling away from Elise- her best and, for a long time only- friend.


    And so, Madelynn told her everything.  She started with her desperate kiss after Callum¡¯s violent seizure, what Casimir had told her when he¡¯d shifted her away- and didn¡¯t stop talking until she¡¯d recounted her confession to Callum about all her horrible thoughts, and his distance this morning.


    Elise just nodded as she spoke, her years as a handmaiden sharpening her ability to absorb such gossip.


    And, when Madelynn finally finished speaking, Elise stood and pulled her to stand, wrapping her in the warmest, most tender hug she¡¯d ever felt.  Madelynn inhaled the scent of her friend- a light breeze on a dewy spring morning- and she felt home.


    Then, Elise pulled away from her, holding her at arm¡¯s length.  ¡°So,¡± she started, her usual chipper tone not dampened by Madelynn¡¯s long monologue, ¡°it sounds like you¡¯re pretty much losing control of your life- or at least feel like it.¡±  Her lips twisted up into a sinister grin and Madelynn fought the urge to pull away from her.


    ¡°And?¡± Madelynn drew out, not sure she wanted to hear her expanded thoughts on the subject.


    ¡°And¡­¡± Elise pulled away from her, hurrying to her room, then emerging a moment later with her burlap sack.  ¡°I¡¯m going to teach you how to use your Essence.¡±

 Chapter 27

    The next five days passed in a haze of mental exhaustion as Callum refused to open back up to Madelynn. True to his word, he left just as the sun rose, and returned just before it dipped back below the horizon. Whenever she probed him, he sank further into himself, anger and disappointment flickering across his features before brushing her off with some offhand comment about being too tired to talk. At night, though, he buried his face in her chest as he slept, his body trembling and drenched in sweat, plagued by nightmares she couldn¡¯t begin to understand. She tried to reach him, to ask what haunted him, but his responses were curt, dismissive, and made her feel like an intruder in her own marriage.


    Her training with Elise wasn¡¯t going much better. She went through the motions, studied the books, and¡­ nothing. Elise¡¯s Essence spilled from her like water, a brilliant blue light that illuminated the room, while Madelynn¡¯s own veins pulsed with that sickly green glow, so unlike Elise¡¯s elegance, and fizzled out into nothing. No clouds billowed around her hands like Callum¡¯s. No sparkling mist coiled and danced like Casimir¡¯s. Every failure was a fresh humiliation, every attempt another nail driven into her self-doubt. Her Essence felt like a fire raging inside her, licking at her edges, building unbearable pressure that refused to explode.


    By the time Callum returned from work on his last day of the week, Madelynn had to clench her jaw to keep from screaming. At him, at herself- at the world. The fire inside her was burning too hot to ignore.


    ¡°How was work?¡± she asked pleasantly, leaning against the counter as Elise stirred a stew on the stove.


    His eyebrows were drawn together as he closed the door behind him.  ¡°It was fine,¡± he replied plainly, and Madelynn drew her lips into a tight line.


    ¡°Are you going straight to bed?¡± she asked, forcing her tone to stay neutral as the fire built inside her chest.


    Callum pulled out a chair at the small dining table and sank down into it.  ¡°No,¡± he sighed out, letting his face fall into his hands.


    Madelynn just watched him for a moment- the tension in his shoulders, the way his breath seemed to tremble out.  Something was ailing him deeply, why couldn¡¯t he just share it with her?


    She strode around to the other side of the table and pulled out the chair opposite him.  She sat down and folded her hands in front of her.  ¡°Will you please just tell me what¡¯s been bothering you?¡± she asked softly.  They¡¯d barely been married two weeks, and it already felt like he was slipping away from her.


    Callum lowered his hands to glower at her, and she resisted the urge to curl into herself.  Then, he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, his shoulders sinking.  ¡°Maddie, I-¡± he started, then licked his lips and stared up at the ceiling, as if all the answers were written in the sky.  ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to begin.¡±


    Madelynn fidgeted with her hands as she stared at him, watching him squirm in his seat under her gaze.  She looked over to Elise, who was already staring at her- and she understood.  She nodded and stepped outside, leaving Madelynn and Callum to their lonesome.


    Madelynn waited until the door was closed behind her, then turned back to Callum.  ¡°Is it because I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Heat filled her cheeks as she recalled the memory, and then pushed it back down.  This was a necessary conversation.  ¡°The other night.¡±


    Callum balked at her, then shook his head.  ¡°What?  No.  Oh god, Maddie- absolutely not, I wasn¡¯t even thinking of that.¡±


    She frowned.  Relief washed over her that it wasn¡¯t that that was bothering him, but¡­ ¡°What is it then?¡±


    He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.  ¡°Casimir is going to be coming here today,¡± he finally said in a monotone voice.  ¡°He¡¯s going to come here and he¡¯s going to take you away from me again.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s brows furrowed.  ¡°Wait, that¡¯s what this is about?¡± She leaned forward onto her elbows.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he breathed out, ¡°that is what this is about.  He terrifies me, and he should terrify you, too.¡±


    ¡°You say that,¡± she started, ¡°and I believe you, but he¡¯s never done anything to hurt me.  In fact, he said he wants to train me.  That¡¯s more than you¡¯ve done thus far.¡±  The moment the words left her lips, she regretted them.  She clamped her mouth shut, staring straight across at Callum, who just deflated at her words.  ¡°I didn¡¯t mean-¡±


    Callum leaned forward, reaching for her hand.  ¡°He took everything from me once.  And now he¡¯s going to do the same thing to you.  You have to fight back, Madelynn, or he will destroy you.¡±


    Madelynn¡¯s frown deepened, squeezing his hand.  ¡°I don¡¯t- He doesn¡¯t seem like he wants to hurt me, Callum.  He¡¯s creepy, sure, but I think he wants to help me.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s true-¡± he pulled his hand from hers, leaning back in his seat- ¡°then I¡¯ve already lost you.¡±


    Madelynn reached for him again, but he didn¡¯t move- staring at her like she was already laying in a casket.  ¡°Why are you acting like he¡¯s some kind of monster?¡± she asked.  ¡°He¡¯s just a man, Callum.  I¡¯m perfectly capable of resisting whatever influence you think he has over me.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Callum barked out a scoff, then his expression turned deadly serious.  ¡°He is a monster.  Are you forgetting this?¡± He motioned to his abdomen, where the rune was carved into the delicate skin just above his hip bone.  ¡°Or this?¡± He pressed his fingers into the lingering, brown bruises around his throat and Madelynn flinched.  She couldn¡¯t look at them.  ¡°Whatever you think he could be to you- he¡¯s not.  He will never be.¡±


    Madelynn just stared at him.  At the bruises that taunted her dreams- the sound of his throat being crushed under Casimir¡¯s Essence- at the man who she loved more than she loved herself.  He was pushing her away.  Whatever Casimir had done to him- whatever they had been before- he couldn¡¯t go through it again.  He wasn¡¯t trying to save Madelynn, he was trying to save himself.


    ¡°What did he do to you?¡± she asked softly, twisting her hands in her lap.


    His eyebrows turned upward and his gaze fell from hers.  He stared down at the table, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he searched through whatever memories plagued him.  His head shook, just slightly, and then his eyes flicked back up to hers.  ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever be able to tell you,¡± he breathed out, his voice barely more than a whisper.


    Madelynn¡¯s brow furrowed as she chewed on her lip.  ¡°Is that what you dream of at night?¡±


    His eyes turned glassy and he took a deep breath.  ¡°Some atrocities are too terrible to be spoken out loud.¡±  He choked on his words and cleared his throat before continuing.  ¡°I bear my own burdens, and you¡¯ll have your own if you let him in.¡±


    What sort of burdens could put a man, as strong as Callum was, into such a fit at night?  What sort of torment had he suffered?  Suddenly, Madelynn felt like crying.  ¡°Then I won¡¯t let him in.¡±


    Callum smiled tightly at her, and she could see it.  She could see the lie in his smile, the disbelief in his eyes.  He knew she was lying.  He knew she planned on leaving willingly.  Not to forsake him, but to save him.  How was she supposed to explain that to him?


    Just as she opened her mouth to speak, the room suffocated.  The walls pressed inward and Madelynn¡¯s ears popped from the change in pressure, and the air crackled with shades of gold.  A second later, the tension in the room snapped, and the golden mist unfolded to reveal Casimir.


    He stood with his hands in his pockets, his eyes already trained on Madelynn.  He smirked, simply holding his hand out to her.  ¡°I do believe it¡¯s that time again,¡± he said smoothly, his deep accent flowing like water from his lips.


    Madelynn¡¯s stomach dropped at the sight of him.  He was clad in all black, and his hair was as disheveled as she¡¯d ever seen it.  He was a horrible presence to behold- everything about him beckoned her forward even while her instincts screamed at her to run.


    Then, his eyes flicked to Callum, who stood and placed himself between herself and the man dominating the room.  ¡°Don¡¯t take her,¡± he said breathlessly, though even Madelynn could hear the lack of conviction in his voice.  ¡°Please.  I¡¯ll do-¡±


    Casimir ignored him, rolling his eyes as he stepped forward, not even raising his hands as he roughly shouldered Callum out of the way.  ¡°Are you ready to go, Darling?¡± he purred, and Madelynn nearly vomited.


    She¡¯d made herself a promise.  Made Callum a promise.  She was going to go willingly.  She wouldn¡¯t let him hurt Callum again.  Not when he spent his nights screaming over the horrors he¡¯d already endured.


    She blinked, fighting against the fear building in her stomach.  ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡±  Her voice wavered as she looked from Casimir to Callum, who just stared at the ground, a thunder cloud forming around his fists.  ¡°Just, give me a moment.¡±


    Casimir just raised an eyebrow in response, but stepped to the side, letting her approach Callum.


    He didn¡¯t look at her when she stood in front of him, but she reached down anyway and scooped his hand up in hers.  His Essence retreated from her touch, wrapping up his arm as if terrified of what she¡¯d do to it.  Her other hand came up to touch his cheek, and he finally looked at her.


    His eyes were full of tears.


    ¡°I won¡¯t let him in,¡± she whispered, standing up on her tiptoes to kiss him.  He remained firm, solid, unwavering against her.  ¡°But I can¡¯t let him hurt you again.¡±


    Her hands dropped to her sides, and she allowed herself to stare at him, memorize his features, for just a moment longer, before turning away from him.


    ¡°How sweet,¡± Casimir deadpanned as he held his hand out for Madelynn once again.


    She didn¡¯t look back at Callum as she pulled her lips into a smile that felt like as much of a fraud as she was.  She knew it, Callum knew it, Casimir knew it.  Elise probably knew it, too.  No matter how much Madelynn¡¯s stomach churned or her legs wobbled in fear, a part of her was excited.  She was going to be set free- she was going to learn and develop her Essence, no matter how dangerous it was.


    She hesitated before she took Casimir¡¯s hand, her own hand lingering in the empty space between them.  She looked up at him, and his golden eyes stared straight through her.  He knew what she was doing, waiting for Callum to say something- do something- to stop her from leaving.


    Casimir¡¯s eyes darted around, and he tilted his head as he mouthed the word Nothing through an amused smile.


    Nothing.


    Callum said nothing, and that was all the reassurance she needed that she was doing the right thing.  She closed the space between her and Casimir, his hand wrapping around hers as he pulled her close, wrapping one hand around her waist.  The tang of blood filled her mouth as she bit her lip to keep from crying out.  This was a horrible, masterfully planned mistake, and she was exhilarated.


    Golden mist wrapped around them, hugging Madelynn into a warmth that felt like the hug of a lover, and the world disappeared.

 Chapter 28

    Madelynn shoved away from him, falling to her knees as she coughed violently against the heaving of her stomach.  The golden mist shrunk away from her, leaving her bones chilled.  She clenched her hands into fists and¡­ snow.  It was light out, despite them leaving at sunset.  It seemed they were a long way from home.


    ¡°Where the hell are we?¡± she asked, her teeth chattering as she stood and wrapped her arms around herself.


    ¡°This,¡± Casimir started, that stupid knowing smirk forming on his lips, ¡°is The Mother¡¯s Spring.¡±


    Madelynn shot him a look of confusion.  ¡°The what?¡±


    Casimir scoffed at that, holding his arms out around him.  ¡°A natural Essence Spring.  To awaken your Essence.¡±


    ¡°A natural Essence Spring?  It¡¯s frozen out here.¡±


    He turned away from her then, starting toward an open field of snow.  ¡°If you¡¯ll follow me, I¡¯ll show you.¡±


    Madelynn scowled.  He was playing with her, she could tell.  But she couldn¡¯t pinpoint where the deception was.  Callum had assured her that Casimir would try to play games with her mind, to eat away at her until she was nothing but bones and echoes of screams.  But, she couldn¡¯t see it.


    And as she followed him, she realized that maybe she was just naive.  Maybe Casimir was some master manipulator, and she was just falling into his traps.  But, she¡¯d picked up on it when he¡¯d tried to outplay her at the Military Banquet.  She had; however, ended up just running away from him.  Literally.


    ¡°Care to share your thoughts?¡± he called back to her, the wind carrying his voice in all directions around her.  Snow had turned to ice beneath them, and she steadied herself as her boots slid with each step.


    ¡°No.¡±


    At that, he turned around to look at her, and he smiled cockily, tilting his head back to look down his nose at her.  ¡°Strip.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± she sputtered out, stopping in her tracks.


    ¡°Strip,¡± he said plainly.  ¡°Take off your clothes.¡±


    She shook her head.  ¡°Uh, no thanks.¡±  She crossed her arms over her chest, as if that would stop him if he tried¡­ anything.


    Casimir¡¯s eyes flashed then, and his Essence roared to life, shooting out golden tendrils of mist.  They solidified before her eyes, turning into sharp stakes, as they reached out to her.  She took a step back, her stomach dropping, and fell onto her butt.  The cold from the ice beneath her bit into her palms as she scooted backward, watching as his Essence pressed in on her.  But, just before one of those pointed tendrils reached her throat, it stopped.


    Eyes wide with fear, Madelynn¡¯s gaze found Casimir.  He was standing still, his hands in his pockets, as he watched her with an amused expression.  ¡°Strip.¡± was all he said.


    Madelynn didn¡¯t argue this time as she stood and removed her jacket.  His Essence retreated back into him, forming a cloud of gold around him. The frigid air clung to her arms, then her feet as she removed her boots and socks.  Her hands came to the bottom of her shirt, and her eyes found Casimir again, who was still watching her intently.  ¡°Can you at least turn around?¡± she asked as blood rushed to her cheeks.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°This is ridiculous,¡± she shivered out, rubbing a foot against her pants in an attempt to keep warm.  ¡°Does whatever you have planned really demand I be stripped bare?¡±


    Casimir rolled his eyes, crossing his arms.  ¡°It, actually, does not.  But, if you can find it somewhere in your shrivelled little brainwashed mind to trust me on this, you¡¯ll find I¡¯m trying to help you.¡±


    Madelynn fought against the urge to curl into herself as snow clung to her eyelashes, her fingers and toes turning bright red.  ¡°I will gladly accept any help that doesn¡¯t include me stripping naked in front of the man who cursed my husband!¡±


    Casimir froze, his jaw tightening at her words.  Madelynn stood firm, despite the chill that ate at her skin and caressed her bones until they ached.  They stood in silence, staring at each other for so long, she thought she might¡¯ve overstepped.


    But then, Casimir¡¯s hand reached behind him, and he pulled forth a knife.  Madelynn barely had time to take a step back before he brought the knife over his head and plunged it into the ice beneath them.  His Essence formed a second skin around the knife, plunging it deeper- until a loud crack filled the air and rocked the earth beneath them.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Madelynn swayed, feeling the trembling in the ice before she saw the deep crack, reaching in jagged lines from the knife all the way to her bare feet.


    She shrieked, turning to run, but lost her footing midway through her stride, and fell forward, the ice cutting into her face and hands as she slid.  The crack reached forward still, and the ice began to split, chunks falling into the water below.  She was powerless, even as she corrected herself, stood, and wobbled backward.


    She spared one final glance at Casimir before the split reached her, to see him watching her with a devilish smile.  She held a finger in the air, one final lewd gesture, before she plunged into the water below.


    Blood rushed to her head.  Her ears rang, her eyes burnt, and her throat stung against the sensation that filled her.  That fire- the one that had been licking at her edges for the last week- exploded.


    The cold never touched her.  The water was warm against her skin, like the soft embrace of Casimir¡¯s Essence when he¡¯d shifted them away.  That warmth filled her lungs and spread into her veins as she sunk lower and lower into the spring.


    It felt like power.  It felt like everything she never knew she¡¯d been missing was suddenly returned all at once.  She could feel it radiating from her hands and feet, exploding from her mouth.


    And at the sensation, she peeled her eyes open and strained against the fog of the water.  It was green and murky, flowing around in an unnatural sway around her.  She searched for the source of that feeling, and found that it was her that was green and murky.  Heavy, billowing, dark green smoke poured from her skin, as if it was a part of her that¡¯d just been released.


    Her Essence.


    Then, her feet met the bottom of the spring, and her lungs burnt at the lack of air.  How long had she been underwater?  She clawed at her throat as she pushed against the ground, her arms scooping her upward- was the water always this thick?


    She pushed and pulled and scooped and struggled until her hands found the bottom of the sheet of ice, and then the gap in the ice that she¡¯d fallen through.


    A hand appeared, and she grasped it.


    She was pulled upward roughly, until she was splayed on the ice, coughing and gagging as water spilled from all her orifices.


    The cold found her once again, and she wrapped her arms around herself as she pushed herself upward.  She was going to die out here, it was so cold, she wouldn¡¯t last a-


    ¡°Bet you wish you would¡¯ve stripped now.¡±


    Casimir¡¯s voice broke through her thoughts and her head snapped to the side to glare at him.  That same green smoke built in her chest again, before erupting out of her hands.  ¡°You!¡± she shouted, her voice low and unfamiliar in its rage as she stood.  ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t you warn me before you did that?¡±


    She took a step toward him, and he took a step back, holding his hands up as if¡­ as if she scared him.  She stopped, and looked down at herself.  Dark green Essence flowed around her, starting at her feet and reaching up into the sky in a plume that could only have come from the largest of fires.  She couldn¡¯t help but smile as she watched it lick up at the sky, as if it was at last celebrating its freedom.


    Her Essence.  Her Essence.  It was more than what she could¡¯ve asked for- it was glorious.


    Casimir snapped his fingers, drawing her attention toward him once again.  When she looked at him, he clapped his hands together, a tight smile forming on his face.  ¡°We can go over the semantics later, but you¡¯re going to freeze to death if you don¡¯t get warm.¡±


    Madelynn ignored him.  She wasn¡¯t even cold anymore.  She was free.  She was everything she had been forced to restrain for twenty long years.


    A hand wrapped tightly around her arm, and Madelynn struggled against it, frowning as Casimir drug her toward him, his Essence wrapping around them.


    And when his golden mist intertwined with her green smoke, it was as if the universe had an epiphany.  As if all things ceased to exist, and it was just mist and smoke dancing around the stars.


    A shiver ran down her spine, a new heat blossoming inside her that was so unlike what she¡¯d felt with Callum.  It was something she¡¯d never felt before, as if a whole second set of senses had awakened along with her Essence.  She felt¡­ different, somehow.  As if she¡¯d unlocked a side of herself that had never existed until right this moment.


    She looked up at Casimir, and he was standing so close she could smell his cologne- something with cinnamon and pine- and she could¡¯ve sword she saw red blossoming on his tanned cheeks.  He didn¡¯t meet her gaze, but she could tell.  Whatever she¡¯d just felt, he felt it too.


    She smiled, despite that part of herself that still screamed at her to run away from him- from all of this- and said, ¡°Oh, that is sensitive.¡±


    He just stared straight ahead, his jaw working as he clenched his teeth together.  As gold filled her senses, she swore she saw a smirk grace his features before he shifted them away.

 Chapter 29

    Casimir¡¯s Essence melted away from her, and Madelynn gripped his arm as she steadied herself, keeping her footing this time.  Her stomach clenched, but she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, forcing the feeling away.


    ¡°Wow,¡± Casimir drew out, taking a step away from her as he nodded triumphantly at her.  ¡°I¡¯m impressed you didn¡¯t empty your guts all over the floor this time.¡±


    ¡°Please, do not talk to me,¡± she breathed out, clamping a hand over her mouth.  She was stronger now, she could feel it.  But even her Essence couldn¡¯t keep nausea at bay, apparently.


    Casimir scoffed, looking down his nose at her as he crossed his arms.  ¡°If you¡¯re done with the theatrics,¡± he started, his voice low and heavy in the darkness of night, ¡°you should come inside before you freeze your¡­¡± his eyes flicked down her in a way that had her folding her arms around her chest¡­ ¡°bits off.¡±


    Madelynn scowled, but watched as he stepped backward, turning away from her.  Then her eyes found the mansion behind him.  It was huge.  A large white building, longer than it was tall, with golden light spilling from the numerous windows.  White pillars, with green flowering vines creeping up the length of them, stretching from the ground to the room scattered across the front balcony.


    ¡°Is this yours?¡± she balked out, shivering against the chill of night.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he replied curtly, motioning for him to follow him.


    She didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Why did you bring me here?¡± she asked, her eyes flicking from the estate back to him.


    He sighed loudly, turning back around to face her with a look of frustration.  ¡°If you really must prod so much, I brought you here so, one-¡± he held up a finger- ¡°you can change into something more appropriate before I send you home to your dear lover.  And, two-¡± he held up another finger- ¡°so you can be introduced to your teacher.¡±


    ¡°My teacher?¡± Madelynn questioned, but fell into step next to Casimir anyway.  ¡°I thought you were my teacher.¡±


    Casimir tilted his head and looked down at her.  ¡°I am teaching you how to use your Essence.  Finnian is going to teach you how to use your mind.¡±


    Madelynn scoffed, kicking at a tuft of grass as they approached the manor.  ¡°And what if I refuse?  I think my mind is perfectly fine the way it is.¡±


    He stopped in front of the front door, his hand on the knob.  ¡°If you refuse, I¡¯ll shift you back to your doting husband, and I¡¯ll leave the two of you alone.¡±  He leaned forward so he could speak in a lower tone.  ¡°And then you¡¯ll spend the rest of your life wondering what you could have been if you¡¯d just followed me inside.¡±


    He twisted the doorknob and stepped inside, leaving Madelynn with a choice.


    He was lying.  He¡¯d never leave the two of them alone.  Callum had made that incredibly clear.  Callum had also said he¡¯d have stripped her of her sense of self by now, that she¡¯d be nothing but a pile of screams.  And yet, he hadn¡¯t.  He¡¯d given her everything.  Given her a side of herself she hadn¡¯t even known existed.


    He won¡¯t hesitate to lie to protect the ones he loves.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Casimir¡¯s words flashed through her mind, and her lips parted as her mind reeled.  Had Callum been lying to her?  Was he trying to keep her to himself?  Was he trying to keep her from her true potential?  Her mind flashed back to his Essence retreating from her touch.  He was scared of her.  Scared of what she could be.


    Callum didn¡¯t care about her, he cared about himself.  He cared about not being hurt again.


    A flash of rage sprouted in Madelynn¡¯s belly, and her Essence pooled at her feet, sharp tendrils of smoke reaching up into the air.  And she watched, in a horrific sort of awe, as they wisped and twisted, as if caught in a breeze, pulling straight through the open door.  Into Casimir¡¯s estate.  Into a world she wasn¡¯t a part of.  A world that was meant for her.


    She didn¡¯t let her thoughts linger any longer, and she followed the draw of her Essence, closing the door loudly behind her.  As she stepped into the large, looming, marble hall, she realized that this should feel like a mistake.  The smirk decorating Casimir¡¯s lips should¡¯ve felt like a threat.  But it didn¡¯t.  It felt like she was stepping into a world of opportunity, rather than simply another stifling, oppressive situation.


    ¡°Your chambers are the last door on the right when you reach the top of the stairs.  I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find something to wear.  Finnian will find you after.¡±


    Madelynn stopped abruptly, her eyebrows knitting together as she gaped at him.  ¡°My chambers?¡± she asked, stopping in her tracks.


    ¡°Oh,¡± he chuckled out, the sound low and demanding.  ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to let that slip.¡±  He absolutely did.  ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find my estate much more welcoming than your current residence.¡±


    She shook her head at him, her wet hair slapping her cheeks.  ¡°I- I don¡¯t understand,¡± she stammered out.  ¡°I can¡¯t just- I don¡¯t¡­¡± She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, feeling her Essence flow through her veins- calming her, grounding her.  ¡°I don¡¯t live here,¡± she said finally, her voice wavering as she struggled to find her words. ¡°And I¡¯m not going to.¡±


    Casimir¡¯s smile broadened as he motioned up the stairs.  ¡°Just go and feel it out.¡±


    She was tired.  Tired of pretending, tired of playing games she didn¡¯t understand.  She just nodded, suddenly feeling too exhausted to fight against the pull of her Essence.


    She turned and strode toward the stairs, her hand wrapping around the banister as she climbed slowly.  The floors were white marble, as pristine as she figured they would be based on the way Casimir presented himself.  The walls were a beige tone, decorated with large expensive looking paintings, and the ceiling was decorated with a popcorn texture that formed patterns and insignias she didn¡¯t recognize.  In short, Casimir¡¯s manor was beautiful.  It was elegant in a way that seemed exactly the same as him, but clean and pristine in a way that made her think he didn¡¯t actually spend much time here.


    She found her room exactly where he said it would be.  The door was already open when she approached it and, once she¡¯d stepped inside, she closed it softly behind her.  The room was plane, as if he¡¯d purposefully left it a blank canvas for her.  The large bed was decorated with boring white sheets, just as hers had been at her parents¡¯ villa.  A single, darkwood, dresser stood against the wall, and that was it.  The room was so large and so empty.  It felt oddly reminiscent of how her brain felt.  So much empty space waiting to be filled with something new.  It was eerily prepared, as if he¡¯d been expecting her.


    The realization didn¡¯t affect her the way she knew it should have.  She should have been appalled.  But, as her Essence licked up toward the ceiling, she couldn¡¯t deny the allure she felt.


    She frowned as she approached the dresser.  She pulled open one of the doors and her mouth fell open in a silent gasp.


    So many beautiful gowns in deep green, soft pinks, and midnight black.  She pulled open the other door to reveal folded trousers and shirts.


    She took a step back, admiring the selection of clothes.  She opted for a green gown.  It was a deep, emerald tone, with sleeves of tulle and a flat skirt.  She pulled it up herself and found herself in awe at how well it fit.  How had he guessed her size so perfectly?  It had a zip in the back, in lieu of a corset, and she grunted as she tried to extend her shoulders back far enough to zip it up.


    As she was spinning in a circle, hoping that somehow the movement would build enough momentum for the zipper to finish its journey upward, a knock sounded at the door.


    Without waiting for an answer, or any sort of indication that she was even dressed, the door pressed open, and in walked a charming, curly haired man with a smile that made her heart melt.