tales of the latter kingdom 08 - moon dance

by Christine Pope

  He looked away from me, off through two vine-covered pillars, toward a rose garden that put my aunt’s to shame. Still with that frown pulling at his brows, he said, “It is nothing. My father says it is something that has happened to me ever since I had a high fever as a boy.” He shifted on the bench so he no longer stared off toward the garden, but faced me, his dark eyes intent. “It will not affect my ability to be a good husband to you.”

  Despite everything, my heart could not help but be wrung. It was despicable of Lord Elwyn to put his son through this, to make him think as if something was wrong with him, when in actuality the only thing wrong was the pernicious hold the father had over his child.

  I reached over and took Mayson’s right hand in mine. “I do not think you had a fever, Mayson.”

  He pulled his hand back as though my touch had scalded him. “Of course I did. What on earth are you talking about, Iselda?”

  “I think….” The words trailed off as I debated inwardly whether I should go on. If I stopped here, I could still brush off what I had already said. But if I continued, then I would be crossing a line that could never be uncrossed. Was he truly free enough of his father’s influence to understand what I was about to tell him?

  No doubt Reynar would have counseled me to stop, would have said that he was sure he could have devised some kind of a plan. But now the wedding was only two days away, and I worried that no such plan would be ready in time. I could end this now…if I was brave enough.

  “Mayson,” I said, “has your father ever mentioned his powers to you?”

  “Powers?” he repeated, brow wrinkling again. “What sort of powers?”

  I pulled in a breath, then forced myself to utter the fateful word. “Magic.”

  He let out a barking sort of laugh before he pushed himself up from the bench, as if he could not bear to sit next to me any longer. “What on earth are you going on about, Iselda? There’s no such thing as magic.”

  “Of course there is,” I said calmly. “Otherwise, my sister and my brother-in-law would not now be living in exile. Or do you not believe any of those stories, even though they were the talk of court for years?”

  A flicker of doubt showed in Mayson’s eyes. “I — I am not sure.”

  “Do you think I would lie to you about such a thing?”

  “I do not think you would lie intentionally, but perhaps you have mistaken some of my father’s actions — ”

  I stared directly into his eyes. To do so was quite uncomfortable for me, as a well-brought-up young lady was not supposed to be that forward, even with the man who was her betrothed. But I could think of no other way to force him to see how deadly serious I was, that this was not some foolish fancy I had dreamed up.

  “Have you ever wondered, Mayson, how it is that your father appears so youthful, that he might be your older brother rather than your father?”

  “Well, I — some people are naturally well-preserved, I suppose.”

  Unfortunately, I had thought rather the same thing myself, and so I knew this one argument probably would not hold much water. I pressed ahead, however, saying, “Does your father disappear for long periods of time?”

  “Sometimes he must go to Bodenskell on business — ”

  “Then why does he not take you with him? One would think he would want his heir present so he might learn something of the dealings required to keep this estate running.”

  Now Mayson looked truly confused. He shook his head, as if to clear it, but I feared more than that would be required to remove the fog from his brain. “I — ”

  “I doubt very much that he goes to Bodenskell that often,” I pressed on. “He goes away so he might train his apprentice, and to cast his spells. One of which was cast on my cousins and my aunt and uncle’s ward Janessa, although, thank the gods, they did not suffer any lasting ill effects from his magic.”

  At that pronouncement, Mayson let out a short, disbelieving bark of a laugh. “Good gods, Iselda, have you listened to yourself? What spell, pray, did he cast?”

  “A spell to take a little of their life force and bring it into him,” I retorted. “So he might stay as youthful-looking as possible. Everything he does is to make his own life easier. Tell me, Mayson, do you really wish to marry me? Truly?”

  A blank and baffled expression passed over Mayson’s features. He paused, and scrubbed a hand over his face, as if that would help him think better. “Of course I do.”

  “I am not so sure about that. You had to stop and ponder the matter for a moment. Surely if you really loved me and wished me to be your wife, you would have said yes immediately.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Iselda. It is only that you took me so off guard — ”

  “That is an excuse. Tell me the truth, Mayson. If that is difficult for you, I can speak first. You were my friend — or at least I thought you were — but I never wished to be your wife. I still do not. You forced this on me, but I do not think that is your fault. I think your father took hold of your mind and made you do it, because he wishes for you to provide him with an heir.”

  This barrage of words had a singular effect. Mayson took a step backward, eyes widening. He flushed red, and then turned pale as death. One hand went to his throat, and he stood there for a long moment, staring at me as if he had never seen me before. “It is true,” he whispered at last. “That is, I do not know how. But it is almost as if I have been standing off to the side, watching as all this occurs, but with no power to stop it.”

  “That must be the spell,” I said sadly. “You could do nothing. Not against magic such as his. But he thinks he has you completely under his control. Let me go now, when he is not paying attention. I will go back to my aunt and uncle, and say that we both realized we had made a mistake, and decided to end the betrothal. I swear I will say nothing of this to anyone. Your father’s secret will be safe.”

  “How very noble of you,” came a new voice, and Mayson and I both whirled in fright.

  Standing at the other side of the loggia, a mocking light in his eyes, was Lord Elwyn.

  CHAPTER 16

  My first instinct was to run, although I knew fleeing would do no good. I still had no clear idea of the true extent of Lord Elwyn’s powers, but I feared he must have some spell in his arsenal that would prevent me from getting away.

  He moved closer, mouth lifting in an unpleasant smile. “You are quite the clever girl, aren’t you, Iselda? To have figured all that out, all on your own?”

  I would not betray Reynar, no matter what happened. Surely Lord Elwyn’s retaliation would be swift and brutal, should he ever learn of what had passed between his apprentice and myself. Lifting my chin, I replied, “You forget that perhaps I am more open to these sorts of ideas because of having a mage in my own family.”

  “And you are quite bold, to say such a thing with little care for who might be listening.”

  “Is there anyone else I should know of?” I inquired, as Mayson looked on, expression aghast. “For I am fairly certain that you made sure there would be no witnesses here.”

  “Ah, you are right about that.” Lord Elwyn glanced over at his son, a look of annoyance twisting his features. “Do shut your mouth, Mayson. You look like a fish on a hook. No, Iselda, that is one more area where you are correct. The servants have been told not to disturb my son and his betrothed, and so they are all busy elsewhere. They are so very diligent about doing my bidding.”

  “I have little doubt of that. Does it not weary you, to control the minds of everyone around you?”

  “Oh, I am not controlling everyone,” he replied, his voice silky.

  And then…it was as though something heavy and dull was pressing against my temples, as if I had a headache coming on. But I knew it was no headache at all, but Lord Elwyn attempting to use his powers on me. Gritting my teeth, I fought back, made myself stare at him as I told my mind that I was the only one with the right to control it. A shudder went through my body, and my vision began to blur.
No. I would not allow this. He would not enter my mind, my heart, my soul.

  This silent conflict lasted for only a few moments. Just as suddenly as it had begun, the pressure eased, and Lord Elwyn smiled.

  Why was he smiling? Surely he should be angry that I had managed to fend off his attack.

  “It is just as I had thought,” he said. “You are very strong, Iselda.”

  “I — why are you so pleased?”

  “Because I had guessed, but I did not know for sure. Your powers are unlike any others I have ever encountered.”

  “Powers?” Mayson broke in. “What are you talking about? Iselda is just an ordinary girl.”

  “No, my son, she is not. And if you had any powers of discernment of your own, you would know that.” Lord Elwyn sighed then, a sigh I was fairly certain he exaggerated for effect, before he directed his attention back toward me. “But I sensed it when I first met you at your aunt and uncle’s home. Of course, you were only a child then. But still, I knew that one day you would be perfect for my son. He must carry some strain of my powers, even if he shows none, and I knew that one day your children would be very great mages.”

  All of this had my head spinning. Mayson had been perfectly correct when he’d said I was only an ordinary girl. I’d never exhibited any kind of special abilities. Reynar had said he could feel his powers manifesting, and I knew that Tobyn had said much the same thing to my sister. Whereas I — I certainly did not know how to cast a spell. I could not alter my appearance, or disappear from one room and appear in another. The only extraordinary thing I had ever done was withstand Lord Elwyn’s attack just a few moments earlier.

  “You are mistaken,” I said. “I am no one special.”

  Lord Elwyn’s lips thinned. “I am never mistaken. You see, that is one of my other talents…a subtle one, to be sure, but helpful. I can always sense when someone of the old blood is near me, no matter whether they are a full-blown mage or not. I sensed it when I first met you. True, you show no outward abilities, but no one without some kind of powers could have prevented me from taking control of their mind, just as I attempted with you now.”

  “You — you tried to go into her mind, to force her?” Mayson demanded, taking a step toward his father. His fists knotted with anger, although they remained at his side.

  “So very noble, attempting to defend your betrothed,” the earl sneered. “Ah, Mayson, you continue to find new ways to disappoint me. Shall I tell her why you had no wish to be married?”

  Mayson went pale, dark eyes wide and staring. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “I think you know now that there is very little I would not dare.” Lip still curled, Lord Elwyn turned toward me. “It seems this son of mine, in addition to being entirely lacking in any sort of useful powers, prefers the company of men to that of women. He would never have brought himself to kiss you if he had not been under my control.”

  To be honest, I did not quite understand what on earth Lord Elwyn was talking about. Prefer the company of men? I had never heard of such a thing. Confused, I looked from father to son, saw how Mayson’s jaw was tight with anger. Every line of his form seemed to thrum with rage.

  No, Mayson, I thought, wishing with all my might that I possessed the sort of powers which would allow me to speak with him mind to mind. I could only hope he would see the pleading in my face. You cannot —

  But I did not have time to complete the thought, for in the next moment Mayson had launched himself at his father, his face distorted with rage. What he even intended to do, I had no idea. I only knew that I made an incoherent cry of protest, even as Lord Elwyn lifted a hand. Mayson stopped only a few inches away from his father, rather as if he had run into an invisible wall. And then….

  He was flung backward as though he weighed no more than a rag doll. His flailing body slammed into one of the vine-covered pillars, scattering shredded leaves and flower petals everywhere. He slid down to the base of the pillar, where he slumped over onto the ground.

  I gasped, then ran to him, dropping to my knees next to his limp form. Even as I reached to take his hand, to see if I could still feel the life beating within his wrist, I knew I would discover the worst. No one could lie with their neck at such an angle and still live.

  “You killed him!” I cried. “Your own son!”

  Lord Elwyn crossed the space that separated us in a few short strides, then grasped me by the arm and hauled me upward. His fingers bit cruelly into my flesh, but I would not allow myself to wince. What was a little pain, compared to what he had just done to Mayson? “I did kill him. He had proved that he was of very little use to me. But you….” He paused then, cold blue eyes seeming to take in every detail of my countenance. “I think you will do very well. My son was too much of a fool to realize how valuable you are, but I will certainly not make that same mistake. There will still be a wedding two days hence…only you will marry me instead of my son.”

  I stared up at him in horror. “You would not dare.”

  “And why wouldn’t I? Who is to question me? The servants? Hardly.”

  “My aunt and uncle — ”

  “They have no power to stop such a thing. Besides,” he added, his tone turning silky, “they are such kind, simple folk. Easy to control. It will be very simple to convince them that this is a far better thing for everyone involved, since you will be a countess now instead of waiting years for me to pass on the title.”

  “And what of Mayson?” I demanded. “How do you intend to explain his death?”

  A negligent lift of his shoulders, although I noticed he kept his gaze fixed on me rather than looking over to the spot where the body of his son lay. “Simple. I will put him on his horse and take him out to the forest. He will be discovered some time later, lying on one of the paths. A spill as he went riding. An unfortunate accident. No one will question such a thing. Just as no one questioned the death of the girl he was first engaged to marry. After seeing you again at your aunt’s Midwinter gathering, I knew Mayson’s betrothed must be disposed of so he might wed you instead.”

  I had not thought I could be any more horrified than I already was, but those words made my heart clench. If I could have backed away from him, I would have, but he held me far too tightly. “You killed her?”

  “I made certain she would not live, yes. And then I made the suggestion to your aunt and uncle that Mayson should come to stay with you for the summer, to recover from his loss…and perhaps to heal his heart with another. They hoped for a match with Carella, and so they were all too eager to agree.” Lord Elwyn shrugged, and something about the indifference in the gesture made my blood run cold. “I even told Mayson that he would be free to indulge his…predilections…once he had fathered a child or two with you. But he did not think that would be honorable, so I had no choice but to control him so he would do as I wished. Just as I had no choice now.” If he felt any sorrow or guilt over murdering his son, he certainly showed no sign of it. He merely recited these hideous facts in a neutral tone, hard blue eyes fixed on me the entire time.

  Any one of these confessions would have been terrible on its own, but being confronted by them all at once made my stomach lurch with sudden nausea, and my knees felt so weak that I feared my shaky legs would not be sufficient to hold me up. I told myself that I could not afford to lose control now, and made myself focus on the one element in all this that most affected my immediate future. “Do you not think my aunt and uncle will question the father marrying his dead son’s betrothed?”

  “I will make sure they do not.” He let go then, the crushing pressure on my arm gone, although the flesh still throbbed where he had held me fast. “Do you not see, Iselda? There is no contingency I have not thought of, no argument you can make to change the situation. You will be a good, biddable girl, and then….” The words trailed off as he raised his hand to stroke my cheek. Revulsion boiled within me, but I stood my ground and did not flinch. “I think perhaps you will see that being married to me is not
quite as terrible as you might imagine.”

  “No, it will be far worse,” I flung at him. “I would rather die than be your wife.”

  “That would be a tragic waste, I think.” Lord Elwyn paused then, and I very much feared he was about to bend down and claim my mouth with his. What I would do then, I had no idea. I had resisted his attempt to take hold of my mind, but in a purely physical contest, I would surely lose.

  But, all the gods be thanked, he did not kiss me. He only watched me for a long moment, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. At last he said, “I think it best if you go back to your room now. I have much to do.”

  “I will tell everyone what you have done!” I burst out. “You cannot control my mind, and so you cannot control me!”

  The smile vanished. He stepped closer and took me by the arm again — in the same place, so his grip hurt even more cruelly this time. “You will do no such thing, Iselda. I have no wish to hurt you, for you are far too valuable, but at the same time I cannot have you interfering…and you might wish as well to think of your aunt and uncle, and what might happen to them if you were to speak of what has happened here. You should also know that this castle is very old, and the dungeons beneath it are still intact, if somewhat overrun with spiders and rats. Would you rather spend the time until our wedding there, or in the comfortable room I have given you?”

  I wished I possessed the courage to tell him to go ahead and lock me up in the dungeon, that I would rather rot down there with the vermin than hold my tongue and tell no one of his guilt. Unfortunately, I knew I would do no such thing. I could not bear to put my aunt and uncle in such jeopardy. Also, even though it pained me to admit to such a weakness, rats terrified me, and always had. And, as he had said, even if I did somehow summon the courage to tell anyone else about what he had done, Lord Elwyn would simply go into their minds and make them believe otherwise.