“Do you live nearby by?” she asked, shivering.
Anne was slow to answer. “Yes, in town.”
“I’ve never seen you before,” Mariselle replied, studying her again. She thought that the woman was around her mother’s age, if not younger.
“Nor I, you. The town is big, though. I’m sure we probably passed each other several times in the past and you just never noticed me.”
“Yeah. Your hair is very pretty,” she said, admiring it. “I’ve never seen anyone’s as red or as shiny as yours before.”
Anne smiled. “You are very kind. May I ask you a question?”
Mariselle nodded.
“Why are you hiding out here in the barn, where it’s cold and wet? You do live here, don’t you?”
“Yes, I live here.” Her cheeks turned pink. “I’m not hiding, though.”
Anne raised an eyebrow. “Your parents don’t know you’re out here, though, do they?”
Mariselle pursed her lips.
“Relax,” Anne said, giving her a reassuring smile. “I won’t tell on you. I was just curious.”
Mariselle sighed. “My parents won’t let me keep the kittens in the house and I wanted to be with them. So they wouldn’t be scared out here.”
“Ah, so, they think you’re safely tucked in your bed?”
She nodded.
“I don’t blame you for wanting to protect your kittens. I wouldn’t want to leave them alone either,” Anne replied, yawning. “I think the rain will keep them in here for the rest of the night, though. Let’s hope, at least.”
Mariselle nodded. Another loud clap of thunder from outside made her jump.
Anne chuckled. “You don’t like storms?”
Before she could answer, a cold droplet of rain splattered onto Mariselle cheek. She wiped it off with the back of her hand. “It’s okay. I just don’t like the thunder.”
“It’s the lightening you need to worry about. Not the thunder,” she said, lying down on top of the straw. Anne closed her eyes. “It’s kind of like people. The loud ones aren’t always the real threat. It’s the silent ones... they’re the ones you have to watch out for.”
Mariselle lay down across from her. “My mother always says that you need to keep your friend’s close, but your enemies closer.”
“Smart woman,” she said softly.
Mariselle suddenly felt very safe in her presence. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Anne opened her eyes and looked at her.
“You’re nice and… I was scared being out here in the barn by myself,” she admitted. “Now I’m not.”
The woman smiled. “Good.”
Mariselle nodded and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, Anne.”
“Goodnight, Mariselle.”
7
WHEN ANGELIQUE WOKE the following morning, she noticed two things: Mariselle had left the barn, and she’d given up the blanket for her. The kind gesture put a smile on her face.
As she was sitting up, the barn door opened and Mariselle stepped back inside, carrying something bundled up in rag.
“Good. You’re awake,” the little girl said rushing toward her. She sat down cross-legged. “You slept even longer than I did.”
“I must have really needed it,” Angelique replied, staring at her clothing. Unlike many of the villagers, Mariselle’s burgundy tunic had embroidery stitched along the waistline and was obviously made of high quality linen. Although she hadn’t gotten a clear look at the child’s home in the darkness, Angelique was under the assumption that her family lived comfortably.
“Are you hungry?”
Mariselle smiled. “Yes.”
“Good. I brought you something to eat,” Mariselle said, unwrapping the rag.
The sight of a large piece of crusty bread made Angelique’s stomach growl. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Mariselle handed it to her. “I would have brought you more, but my mother walked into the kitchen,” she said, looking embarrassed. “I didn’t want her to ask me any questions.”
“I understand. If the situation were reversed, I’d feel the same way. Speaking of your mother, what is her name?” she asked, tearing off a piece of the bread.
“Karina.”
Angelique took a bite of the bread. She’d known only one Karina in the village. Although they hadn’t been enemies, they hadn’t exactly been friends either. If it was the same person, she didn’t think the woman would be at all pleased to find her in their barn. Especially with all of the gossip and lies that had been spread about her. She finished chewing and ripped off another piece. “What about your father?”
“His name is Marcus.”
Her heart skipped a beat. Could it be that her father was the sheriff of Berkshire County? Could her luck get any worse? “Langer?”
Mariselle nodded. “You obviously know of him. Everyone does.”
The truth was that she’d always admired Marcus, because of his loyalty to the king. But, he was also bamboozled by Gaylen’s lies and would arrest her immediately if given the chance. Angelique knew she had to leave and quickly.
“I have to go,” she said brushing the crumbs from her clothing. She, stood up and tucked the bread into her pocket. “Thank you for your kindness, Mariselle. I will never forget it.”
Her eyes widened and she stood up. “Did I say something wrong?”
The girl was very observant. A trait she obviously picked up from her father.
Angelique chuckled softly. “No, not at all. I just have several things to do today and should get to them. Thank you again for your hospitality,” she said, picking up the blanket from the straw. After shaking it clean, she folded it and handed it to her.
“My mother says that I ask too many questions of strangers,” Mariselle said, studying her face. “That it annoys people.”
“You didn’t annoy me at all.”
Mariselle looked relieved. “Good. Thank you again for helping me with my kittens.”
Angelique looked around. “Where are the little rascals?”
“They’re just outside. Probably getting into trouble again.” Her face grew serious. “I should go and look for them, I guess.”
Before Angelique could reply, the barn door opened. “Mariselle?” called a woman’s voice. “Are you in here?”
The child sucked in her breath.
Alarmed, Angelique reached into her pocket and put her hand on the wand.
Karina stepped inside and then froze when she noticed Angelique. From the look on the woman’s face, she recognized her.
Angelique sighed.
“Mother, um, this is Anne,” Mariselle said with a nervous smile.
Karina’s lip trembled. Swallowing, she held out her hand. “Mariselle, come here,” she said in a shaky voice.
“I know she’s a stranger, but she’s very nice,” the child replied. “In fact, she helped me with my kittens earlier.”
“Mariselle, I said come here,” Karina said more sternly.
The girl’s eyebrows knit together. “But-”
Karina clenched her teeth. “Mariselle!”
Angelique pushed the girl gently toward her mother. “Go, to her.”
“Karina, did you find Mariselle?” Marcus called loudly before stepping inside of the barn. When he saw Angelique, a look of shock and then anger spread across his face.
8
MARISELLE COULDN’T UNDERSTAND why her parents were acting the way there were. It was almost like they’d both seen a monster, which Anne was far from being.
Her father took a wary step toward them. “Mariselle, come here.”
“Fine,” she huffed. When she reached her father, he put himself between her and Anne.
“Karina, get her out of here,” he said tightly.
Anne sighed. “I was just about to leave. Don’t make her go on my account.”
“You stay away from my family,” Marcus said gruffly.
“Relax. I mean none of you any harm. Especially, Marise
lle. You’ve obviously raised a good girl.”
Mariselle couldn’t understand the animosity in the barn. Even Anne seemed different now that her parents were there.
“What were you doing with her?” he asked angrily as Karina guided Mariselle out of the barn.
“I helped her find her kittens.”
“What?” he asked.
“You wouldn’t allow her to bring them inside last night, so they ran away. You know, it’s very dangerous for a young child to be out, in the middle of the night. Good thing that we ran into each other, or your daughter could have gotten lost or hurt,” Anne said, a smile in her voice. “You should really let her keep the kittens indoors at night.”
Mariselle couldn’t hear what her father’s reply was, because her mother was pulling her back toward the cottage.
“Why are you being so rude to her?” Mariselle cried, ashamed for the way her parents were acting.
Her mother stopped and turned to her. “Because that woman is Angelique,” she said angrily. “The sorceress we spoke of yesterday. You’re lucky she didn’t kill you. What were you thinking, Mariselle?”
For the first time, Mariselle was speechless. She couldn’t believe what her mother said was true. She’d pictured the sorceress to be old, ugly, and scary looking. Anne was just the opposite.
“Now your father is in danger because of that evil woman,” Karina said, her eyes filling with tears.
“Anne won’t hurt him,” Mariselle said, finding her voice again. “She’s not evil.”
“Foolish child,” Karina said, grabbing her hand again. She began pulling her toward the house. “You have no idea what kind of person she really is.”
In her heart, Mariselle couldn’t believe that Anne, or Angelique, meant any of them harm. Wanting her father to realize it too, she broke free of her mother’s grip and ran back to the barn. She noticed that her father had his sword out and Angelique was holding her wand. Both of them looked at her.
“She’s not bad,” Mariselle begged. “Please, don’t hurt her, Papa.”
Angelique lowered her wand. “At least someone in town isn’t being manipulated by the likes of Gaylen.”
“Mariselle, get out of here,” ordered her father angrily.
“Let her be; I’m the one who’s leaving.” Angelique said in a tired voice. Staring at Mariselle, her eyes softened. “Always follow your instincts, Mariselle. Yours appear to be fair and accurate. And remember what I told you – be wary of the quiet ones. Just like spiders, they’ll creep up on you when you least expect it and fill your world with their venom.”
Mariselle nodded.
Winking, Angelique waved her wand and disappeared.
9
ANGELIQUE TRANSPORTED HERSELF to a cave in West Syracuse, where she’d been staying. As soon as she materialized, her senses screamed that someone else had been there recently. Her gut told her it was Gaylen.
Frustrated, she grabbed her satchel and quickly gathered the few belongings she had, including the first wand Hecate had given her when she’d made her an apprentice. Although its power wasn’t nearly as effective as her new one, it had definitely served her well and she couldn’t seem to part with it. She shoved it into the bag and looked around one last time. Satisfied that she’d grabbed everything, Angelique raised her wand. Before she could leave, however, the hateful mage himself appeared before her.
“You just can’t let go of anything, can you?” he said with a smirk. “It will get you killed one day.”
Dropping her bag, Angelique pointed her wand in his direction. “Maybe, but not this day, Wizard.”
“Relax. I’m not here to fight, Angelique,” he said with a sigh. “I’ve come to talk.”
She stared at him uneasily. “About what?”
“I would like to call a truce.”
Angelique snorted. “Let me get this straight… you lied, which in turn caused me to get banished from Syracuse. You made the man I loved despise me. You took everything away from me - everything that was important- and now you want to call a truce?” She laughed bitterly. “Why in the hell would I ever agree to a truce? What would I gain?”
“Your life, for one. And… a seat on the throne, for another,” he replied with a small smile.
Her eyes narrowed. What kind of lies was he spinning now? “What are you talking about?”
With his hands behind his back, Gaylen began to casually stroll around the cave. “I guess I may as well just get right down to the point. I would like you to help me destroy the entire Rotthaven family. In turn, I will take over the throne and make you my queen.”
Angelique stared at him in shock. As much as this wicked plot of his shouldn’t have surprised her, it did. She had so many questions and barely knew where to start. “I thought that you were indebted to the family?”
She’d heard from Hecate of how King Edward’s great, great grandfather had helped to free Gaylen after being imprisoned by Segomo, the god of war. After his release, Gaylen had sworn his loyalty to the royal family.
“Exactly, which is why I need you to help me end it. I pledged my allegiance to them, and can’t break it. But, if they’re gone…” he grinned slyly, “I’ll be set free and will be able to rule the kingdom.”
Angelique was flabbergasted. “Are you mad? Do you honestly believe that anyone would allow something like that to happen? Good, God, even if you were able to kill everyone in the family, you wouldn’t be made king. You’d be hung.”
In the blink of an eye, Gaylen turned himself into Edward’s eldest son, Griffin. “Alas, there would be one survivor, dear Angelique. Well…” he chuckled, “so everyone would believe at least.”
“You’d live and rule as Griffin?
“Yes. I would become the new king of Syracuse and you… you’d be at my side as queen.”
“There’s quite an age difference,” she said dryly. “I doubt anyone would believe that young Griffin would take me as his queen. Plus, I’ve been banished, remember?”
“Yes but you’d be unbanished, after ‘saving’ Griffin’s life.”
Her eyebrow raised. His underhandedness seemed to have no bounds. The wizard was wicked to the core.
He walked over to her. “He’s almost eighteen and you are still a very beautiful women,” the wizard said, giving her an appraising look. “I think he would very much enjoy having you warm his bed. Correction, I would very much enjoy it.”
His words made her skin crawl. She loathed him more than ever. It was bad enough that Gaylen ruined her life, now he wanted to take the lives of Edward’s children? As furious as she was with the king, Angelique didn’t have it in her heart to be part of such a wicked and diabolical plan. She was about to firmly object when she realized that she might be able to use this scheme of his to her advantage.
“I don’t know,” she replied, her mind racing. Angelique knew that jumping on board too quickly would look suspicious to a crafty wizard like Gaylen. Especially after their turbulent history together.
“Do you still love Edward?” he asked, changing into the image of the king himself. “I could be whomever you wanted me to be, you know. Maybe we could work it so that he’d be the only survivor instead.”
Angelique’s heart ached as she stared at Edward’s image. As much as he’d let her down, she knew in her heart of hearts that she would never, ever stop loving the man.
“No,” she lied. “But, you deceived me once. Why should I trust you now?”
He changed back into his real form and pulled out something from his robes. It was a small stone.
“What’s that?” she asked, staring warily.
Gaylen handed it to her. “It’s a truth stone. The person holding it cannot tell a lie.”
She studied the rock, turning it over in her hand. It was black, smooth, and cool to the touch. It looked pretty unimpressive, as far as she was concerned.
“Try lying to me. Go ahead,” he said with a smirk. “Tell me how handsome I am and how you’d love to have me
in your bed.”
Angelique grunted. “You already know the truth to that.”
Gaylen sighed. “Maybe, but try telling me otherwise. Go ahead,” he urged, nodding toward the stone.
“Fine.” She took a deep breath. “Gaylen, I…” Angelique’s tongue stopped moving.
The wizard smiled and his eyes began to dance.
She tried again, but just couldn’t seem to get the words out. “I think you are…”
“Try relaxing,” he urged, looking more and more amused by the minute.
“I think you are a repulsive, nasty pig. You make my skin crawl. I would rather die than then allow you to ever touch me,” she said, unable to stop herself.
“So, you’re saying that we won’t be consummating our marriage?” Gaylen asked dryly.
“Not in your wildest dreams,” Angelique replied, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted by admitting the truth out loud. The rock seemed to actually compel a person to say what was really on one’s mind whether they wanted to or not.
His beady eyes regarded her coldly. “Fine. What of Edward? How do you really feel about your king?”
“I will always want him,” she said truthfully. “But, he broke my heart. I will never forget that.”
He stepped closer to her. “Nor, should you.”
Angelique handed him the stone back. “You deceived me the most, however,” she said, backing away from him. “What makes you think I would ever agree to help you in this crusade? You ruined my life.”
“What if I told you that at one point, I actually saved it?” he said, flipping the stone over and over in his hand.
Her eyes narrowed. “How is that?”
“Edward sent me here to kill you. Just like he did twenty years before, when you were in the Forest of Ezernon.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “What?”
“After you were banished, Edward sent me to look for you. He wanted you dead. Luckily for you, Hecate found you first.”
“I don’t believe you. If that were the case, why didn’t he order my execution instead of simply banishing me?” she asked, the blood rushing to her head. He was holding the stone firmly in his hand now. The words couldn’t have been lies.
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