Page 33 of Sigils & Spells

Since the night he slipped into our private apartments and released her from the shackles binding her to our bed, Cormac has been my prisoner. He’s been chained to the cold, stone wall in a remote corner of my palace where, each day, he’s forced to atone for his sins against me.

Now, bound to a post in the center of the room, he remains defiant, despite the whipping he’s received. He refuses to repent, to kiss my foot and beg him for the forgiveness I would grant in a heartbeat. Despite everything, I love him still.

As Brant, my Captain of the Guard, raises the whip to lay another lash across the prisoner’s back, I shake my head. For today, at least, the punishment is over. I turn to Brant.

“Leave us.”

The flaxen-haired warrior bows in deference and retreats from the room. I pick up a dagger from the table in the corner of the chamber. It’s a beautifully crafted weapon, its handle fashioned from silver and studded with the finest jewels. Cormac’s eyes widen as I stalk toward him.

“Such a pity you chose to betray me. We could have done great things together, you and I.”

He doesn’t respond, choosing instead to glower at me with violent eyes that burn with hatred.

“Tell me, why did you help my queen flee to the mortal realm?”

It’s a question he’s been asked every single day. He’s never given an answer. He’s been impressively steadfast in his refusal to tell me what I did to provoke such disloyalty. We were friends since infancy. When I ascended to the throne upon my father’s death, I raise Cormac up to the highest station, that of the King’s bodyguard.

“Was it because you fell in love with her? Did you think helping her would make her love you back?”

His eyes flash with fire and there’s venom in his voice as he spits back at me.

“Did you think that holding her prisoner, forcing her to submit to your will, would make her love you?”

There’s no denying I restricted my queen’s freedom. It was partly because of my own ruthless nature, the need to have her obedience, and partly to keep her safe. Any challenger to my rule could have tried to get to me through her. I bound her to me ruthlessly for her own protection.

“She did love me. She worshiped me and soon she will again.”

My words get the reaction I wanted. Cormac’s mouth opens in surprise. He can’t help himself. He has to know.

“You found her?”

“I did. She’s with Rowan and Valenna as we speak. Tonight, I bring her home.”

“No!” The agony on his face is greater than I’ve ever seen from him, despite the torments that have been visited upon him since he betrayed me.

I step up and place my hand on his shoulder before driving the dagger deep into his right side. He roars in pain. The wound will hurt, but it won’t kill him. We Fae are not so easily dispatched from this life.

“You will bear witness as I reclaim my queen.” I want him front and center at the ceremony. “And then, my friend, you will be dealt with.”

Still unable to entertain the thought of killing him, I turn and stride from the room. I don’t know what I will do with Cormac once Cait is by my side, but I cannot dwell on that right now. There are preparations to be made before my queen comes home. Knowing Cormac will be there, helpless to intervene as I take my bride only heightens my anticipation. I can hardly wait.

CHAPTER5

Cait

The viewfrom the top of Dunshee Hill is incredible, well worth the ache I have in my side after the steep climb up the final fifty yards. There’s a busy road down below, but it’s far enough away for all the sounds of the traffic to be muffled. Looking straight out, there’s nothing but fields, woodland and, in the distance, a river. There are no buildings anywhere in sight, apart from Dunshee House, which looks tiny from up here.

As I look out over the largely unspoiled countryside, a shiver lifts my shoulders and sets them back down again. Despite the heat of the sun, I feel cold. Glancing around the wide, flat peak of the hill, something unpleasant occurs to me.

“People have died here.”

“They have,” Val confirms.

“What happened?”

“Well, over the centuries, people have come here looking for a way into the faerie realm. One man tried to climb the hill late at night. He stumbled in the dark and cracked his head open on a rock when he fell. Another had a heart attack before he reached the peak. And then there was that poor woman…..”

Her voice trails off, as though she’s decided not to share more of the story.

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