Page 76 of Façade

Such a possibility was for the best; I couldn’t afford to become distracted from my purpose. My brief brush with my kingdom’s curse only made it all the more imperative I succeed in my mission. There was no time for distractions…even one as captivating as Evie had become.

She needed to leave, not just because she was restless—a trait I now found surprisingly endearing rather than annoying like I once had; I mustreallybe out of it—but before the strange enchantment weaving between us grew too powerful for me to resist.

Despite my inner turmoil, I managed an encouraging smile. “You’ve been cooped up by my sickbed long enough. Go exploring and tell me all about your adventures the next time you visit.” I felt a twinge of regret I couldn’t accompany her and that the only time we’d walk these halls together would be to the ceremonial chamber to sever our union.

I wasn’t entirely sure she’d be willing to visit now that she’d assured herself that I was no longer in any real danger; try as I might to feel otherwise, the thought made me deeply sad. This feeling only deepened when she didn’t hesitate to stand, seeming desperate to get away, something I tried not to let bother me only to fail miserably.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright on your own?” She directed the question not to me but her hands, such a contrast to the confident, mischievous Evie I’d come to know since the façade had shattered.

I was tempted to lie in order to keep her near me, but I hated the thought of putting her out. “I’ll be alright.”

“I’ll send the healer to check on you.” With this purpose in mind, she offered me a timid smile before leaving in a rush, as if afraid to linger.

I felt the loss the moment she left—not just her presence now, but the loss that would come after our impending severing ceremony. My heart wrenched, and in that moment part of me wished I’d vanished rather than face a life without her.

CHAPTER25

Ever since waking up to find Evie beside me, things had become…confusing, as if the disappearing curse’s unnatural side effects had muddled my mind. I began to notice the strangest things about her—from the soothing sound of her voice, the lovely way the sunlight danced across her hair, the strangest yearning to touch her and the reasons I came up with in order to do so, to the smile that lit up her eyes and caused my heart to give an uncharacteristic twinge. Most of all was the contentment I found just from being in her presence, our delightful word spar I found endlessly entertaining, how interesting I found her along with my yearning to learn more, and most of all the easy friendship we’d somehow forged.

How ironic that I felt closer to my wife so near our impending separation, an event I dreaded more with each passing hour. Yet despite my slowly returning strength, I kept finding the flimsiest excuses to delay the inevitable.

I battled my longings to remain with her along with the knowledge that duty dictated I couldn’t be with her, a thought more agonizing than I ever could have imagined when I’d first married her for convenience. I couldn’t understand the intensity of my desires; I wasn’t entirely certain Iwantedto understand.

As much as I fought to avoid it, eventually I was forced to confront these new feelings coursing through me when the monastery priest unexpectedly visited me the day after I’d awoken. He arrived in flowing robes and a grandfatherly expression, his eyes crinkled along the edges from the warmth of his smile upon seeing me awake and sitting up.

“I’m relieved you appear to be doing so well. When you first arrived we feared you wouldn’t pull through; the disappearing curse is quite difficult to treat, but thankfully our healers are quite experienced in all manner of magical ailments.”

I offered him as deep a bow as my sitting position allowed. “I’m grateful for your assistance in preserving my life.” If only the healers’ powers could treat all within Brimoire who found themselves afflicted; it would give me longer to find another solution to how to rid our kingdom of the curse.

Why are you so desperate for another path?I fought to ignore the question of my rousing conscience, but it proved difficult with my mind so consumed with Evie. I gave my head a rigid shake, but memories of her stubbornly remained, clinging to my every thought. Why couldn’t I stop thinking of her?

The priest’s brow crinkled. “I’ve been puzzling over how we were able to save you at all. The master healer informed me that you’d already had a magical healing performed on you before you were brought to the monastery, and it was that healing that staved off the curse long enough for you to receive better assistance. Though it was amateur magic, it proved effective enough to sustain you. Do you have a healer in your entourage, perhaps one of your guards?”

I frowned. “Not that I know of.” Magic was rare in my kingdom. Surely I would have known if one of my guards possessed it. The mystery puzzled me.

“Regardless of how, I’m relieved you pulled through…which brings me to the purpose of my visit.”

His expression sobered as he settled himself in the chair Evie usually occupied, preparing himself for what would likely be a lengthy discussion. Foreboding seeped over me, a feeling almost as sinister as the sensation of the curse.

The priest cleared his throat. “Princess Evelyn has informed me that you were actually on your way to our monastery when you were struck with the disappearing curse, though she hasn’t informed us as to the reason for your visit.”

I have no doubt she hasn’t. Though I usually found her lack of cooperation frustrating, instead I simply found myself amused. Ever-stubborn Evie.

The priest’s look was expectant, awaiting my response. Strangely, the last thing I wanted was to inform him of the true reason I’d expended such effort embarking on a lengthy journey that required me to drag my reluctant wife along. I managed a wavering breath.

“I wish to annul our marriage.” The forced words were poison on my tongue. When had the thought of annulling my marriage become so unbearable?

The priest’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Annul your marriage? But—“

“Our marriage was arranged for circumstances that are no longer relevant. Considering we haven’t consummated it, I’m hopeful the annulment can be performed with little issue.” Regret swelled, even as an image of holding Evie in my arms and kissing her attacked my resolve, imaginings that were surprisingly difficult to push away.

Focus, Ryland.

Yet they lingered anyway, causing me to wonder what it’d be like to kiss my wife…a rather dangerous errant thought, considering I’d finally begun the preparations to rid myself of her. I fought to ignore my rebellious heart’s silent protests that wanted to send the priest away and whisk Evie back to my kingdom with our marriage still intact…yet that would do nothing to solve the problems regarding the curse and the magic I desperately needed.

I could still see my kingdom melting away into nothingness as the disappearing curse spread, robbing it of life…and how easy it’d be to simply make it all go away with magic, powers that were beyond my grasp.

But they don’t have to be. The whispers were dark yet somehow comforting.You’re here to rid yourself of your powerless wife and to marry the woman who can give you everything you want.

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