Solstice at Stonewylde

by Kit Berry

  She moaned in distress as darts of pain throbbed in her upper arms, trying to hold back her tears. Carefully Yul rolled up one of the sleeves of her jumper, blanching as he saw the faded bruising on her wrists and forearms.

  ‘Is that what I did to you?’ he whispered.

  She nodded. He pulled the sleeve up higher and she winced, even at his gentle touch. Then he saw the fresh, livid marks on her upper arm, swollen into welts and turning black now as the deep bruises started to develop fully. Sylvie felt him shaking and his voice came out in a strangled hiss.

  ‘And this was him? That’s it – I’m going to get him right now! I …’

  ‘No, Yul, wait! Wait till the Solstice, until the time’s right. He did this because I kissed you yesterday but as long as I obey him he won’t hurt me again. It’s better to hold on as we planned. But I have to go now – if he finds out I’ve seen you he really will do something awful to me, I know it.’

  ‘Sylvie, yesterday—’

  ‘I’m so sorry about yesterday! I was wrong and I’ve been stupid. He deceived me, made me think he was kind and caring but I was an idiot to fall for it. He’s almost impossible to resist when he’s being nice and I was taken in by him, but today I saw something in his eyes, something I won’t forget.’

  ‘I can’t let you go back to him, Sylvie!’ said Yul desperately, holding her close. ‘You’re not safe there.’

  ‘I am, really, and it’s only for what … twelve days now? I can manage that.’ She gently extricated herself from his arms.

  ‘Goddess, I hate him!’ muttered Yul. ‘I can’t bear to think of you trapped in the same room alone with him.’

  ‘It’s alright, I’ll be fine and at least he’s off your back for the moment. But be careful and Yul, whatever happens … however you have to do it, make sure he doesn’t get me at the Moon Fullness, please. You were right – he’s counting on taking my moon magic to power himself up and I don’t ever want to give it to him again.’

  Nobody seemed to realise she’d been missing but her rumbling stomach was a nuisance all afternoon. Holly spent a great deal of time trying to be friendly, falling over herself to be nice to Sylvie.

  ‘Holly, you’re trying too hard. Leave me alone.’

  ‘I’m sorry but please don’t push me away, Sylvie. I want to be your friend and I’m so very sorry for all the things I said to you. Please don’t hate me.’

  ‘I don’t hate you,’ said Sylvie wearily.

  Holly looked at her with frightened eyes and Sylvie didn’t have the heart to enjoy her victory over the bully; Holly was now too pathetic to gloat over. When it was time to leave, Sylvie got ready with the other Hallfolk girls and they left together, choosing to walk today. Nobody noticed the tall, blond man waiting silently in the shadows by the side of the Great Barn. He smiled as Sylvie headed straight up the track towards the Hall, and urged the black stallion onto the Green for a circuit of the trees. It was as well for Sylvie that she hadn’t thought to slip away and disobey him, because he’d have caught her red-handed.

  The next few days passed slowly for Sylvie, still a prisoner in Magus’ apartments. He decided she needn’t go to the Great Barn for the full four days as not everyone did, and her appearance had been noted by all. Now Sylvie had seen through Magus’ false charm she became aware of the extent and methods of his manipulation. He kept her underfed and hungry, drunk and drugged, and constantly sleepy from the roaring fire and hot baths. She knew it was all part of his plan to control her and keep her weak; he didn’t want her thinking lucidly or standing up to him, and needed her compliant and docile as the full moon and Solstice approached.

  Sylvie thought that if she went along with it, he wouldn’t hurt her again. She was frightened of the pain he may inflict on her, having recognised his repellent sadism, and tried really hard not to anger him again. She was in a very vulnerable position, trapped like this at his mercy, but knew she just had to hold on for a while longer and then they’d all be free of him for ever. Any qualms she’d had about ousting him had vanished.

  One afternoon Clip came knocking on the door. Sylvie hadn’t been awake long and was curled up trying to concentrate on a book. She’d already been given two glasses of mead and there’d be no food for her until dinner that evening, unless she asked for one of the special cakes. Her stomach hurt badly with hunger pangs and her hands shook; she couldn’t focus on the page at all. Magus sat working at his desk in the corner of the room, well away from the blazing fire. He’d barely spoken to her today. Some days he was all over her, unable to resist stroking her and playing with her hair, other days he was curt and cold and almost seemed to hate her. Sylvie didn’t know which frightened her most.

  Magus looked up sharply when the knock came, annoyed to be disturbed. He was even angrier to see Clip, who breezed into the room and sat down on the sofa without waiting to be invited.

  ‘I’m busy, Clip,’ he said tersely. ‘I’ll have to see you some other time – you know you should check first to see if it’s convenient.’

  ‘Don’t worry, Sol, it’s just a social call. I’ll talk to Sylvie.’

  He smiled but his eyes registered his shock at the sight of her lying on the sofa so pale and thin. She blinked up at him, confused and unsure if he were really there. Although she tried to avoid the cakes if she could, she believed her meal last night had been spiced and she was still seeing strange things today.

  ‘Are you alright, Sylvie? Your mother hasn’t seen you for ages and she’s been worried about you.’

  ‘I’m fine thank you,’ mumbled Sylvie.

  ‘You’ve lost a lot of weight since I last saw you. Are you eating enough?’

  Magus strode over from his desk and perched on the arm of the sofa. He rested his hand proprietorially on her shoulder and glared at his half-brother.

  ‘Of course she’s eating enough! She’s in my care and she’s fine, and you can tell Miranda that. Was there anything else?’

  ‘Yes, I wonder if Sylvie’d like to go for a little walk with me to stretch her legs? It’s very hot and stuffy in here and she looks so droopy. Do you fancy that, Sylvie?’

  ‘No she doesn’t!’ said Magus sharply. ‘She’s perfectly happy here.’

  ‘I would like some fresh air,’ she whispered, and Clip noticed how Magus’s hand tightened into a white-knuckled grip on her thin shoulder. She closed her eyes and winced.

  ‘Then we’ll go for a walk later,’ Magus said smoothly. ‘I’m expecting a very important call any minute from Japan, which is going to take some time. I really can’t leave the room right now.’

  ‘I wasn’t asking you to come, Sol,’ laughed Clip, and held his hand out to Sylvie. ‘Come on, young lady – put on your shoes and get your cloak. It’s quite mild out today.’

  Magus started to protest angrily, but then the phone rang and there was nothing he could do. Clip hustled Sylvie out quickly, supporting her discreetly as she stumbled and swayed against him, barely able to stand.

  15

  ‘For Goddess’ sake, what’s he done to you?’ Clip muttered furiously as they hurried towards the stairs. ‘We’ll go to your mother’s rooms. Cherry!’

  He’d seen Cherry below, in the hall, and half carried Sylvie down the stairs.

  ‘Cherry, I’m taking Sylvie over to Miranda in the Tudor wing. We don’t have a lot of time. Get her something to eat quickly – anything – and bring it there, would you?’

  ‘Yes, sir, yes!’ said Cherry. ‘Poor little mite.’

  Miranda hugged Sylvie as if she’d snap her in half. Then she held her daughter at arm’s length and surveyed her carefully.

  ‘I’ve been so worried about you, darling. Oh, look at the state of you! It’s even worse than Hazel told us. Is she drunk, Clip?’

  He nodded, guiding the swaying girl to an armchair in the little sitting room. She sank gratefully into its depths, a pathetic huddle with white face and vague eyes.

  ‘He’s obviously dosing her up with mead to keep her qu
iet and obedient – Hazel was right. And Yul told us about the cakes. I know only too well just what they can do to you. Is that right, Sylvie? Has he been feeding you too much mead and those special cakes? ‘

  Sylvie nodded but then closed her eyes wearily as the sitting room revolved around her in a sickening carousel.

  ‘And I’m so hungry,’ she whispered. ‘I’ve barely had anything to eat in the past few days. He’s starving me.’

  ‘He always goes too far!’ Clip barked angrily. ‘There’s no need for this cruelty. Can’t he see how he’s damaging your health?’

  Miranda took one of Sylvie’s limp hands in hers.

  ‘I can’t bear to see you like this. What’s he been doing? Has he hurt you?’

  ‘No, not really. He calls me his princess and he’s given me so many presents. But apart from once, he hasn’t hurt me so don’t worry, Mum.’

  ‘But I do! I hate you being in there alone with him and it’s not right. I’m worried that—’

  There was a knock and Cherry bustled in with a tray.

  ‘’Tisn’t much – I hope it’ll do,’ she said, and stood back to watch as Sylvie devoured the sandwiches and glass of milk. Her plump face was filled with concern and she shook her head in disapproval.

  ‘Miss Sylvie, I were thinking … I could leave food in that room he’s given you,’ she said. ‘I can get into it through the door from the corridor. I’ve got a key on my master key-ring and I could leave the food hidden somewhere for you.’

  Sylvie looked up at Cherry with unfocused eyes and nodded slowly.

  ‘Would that work, Sylvie?’ asked Clip gently. ‘Can you go to your room for a little while to eat, without Magus noticing?’

  ‘I don’t know … I sleep on his sofa and I use his bathroom. I spend all day and evening in the sitting room with him. I’m only allowed to go into my own room to get dressed when I wake up, but Magus goes in there every day too. He always chooses and lays out clothes for me to wear.’

  ‘I’ll be careful,’ Cherry promised. ‘I’ll leave a tray under the bed and he’d never look there. ‘Twon’t be much, but still more than you’re getting now.’

  ‘Thank you, Cherry,’ said Clip. ‘That’ll really help.’

  Miranda leant over to kiss her wan daughter, tears in her eyes.

  ‘Sylvie darling, I’m so very sorry about everything. I’ve failed you and I’ve let you down and now …’

  ‘Don’t, Mum – I’m sorry too. I was horrible to you and I must’ve hurt you so much.’

  ‘We’ve both been manipulated and used, but he’ll never come between us again.’ She turned to Clip. ‘I’m sorry, Clip, but we’ve got to get her out now – I can’t just stand by and let him do this.’

  ‘But Miranda, you know what we’ve all agreed. Whilst Sylvie’s staying in his chambers, he’s staying in there too. You know we said that if—’

  ‘I don’t care! I’ve changed my mind – I can’t bear this. She’s my daughter and she’s not safe with him.’

  ‘I honestly believe she is,’ he said, concern creasing his craggy face. ‘It’s not in his interest to harm her, not with the Moon Fullness so close. He’s keeping her quiet and weak but he won’t actually damage her. I’ll remind him that she needs to be strong enough to moondance for him – that’s all he cares about. But we really mustn’t rock the boat at this stage as we need him complacent and convinced that all’s well. If we took Sylvie out now he’d be furious, and then he’d start snooping about and we can’t have him discovering what’s going on, not with the Solstice so close. There’s just too much at stake to alter our plans now.’

  ‘But what if he—’

  ‘Mum, I’m alright, really,’ interrupted Sylvie, a bit brighter now she’d eaten something. ‘Please, I want to do my bit to help. What’s been going on? Have you got everything organised for the Solstice? What’s going to happen?’

  ‘Oh Miss Sylvie, ‘tis so exciting!’ said Cherry, clasping her chubby hands together. ‘There’s all sorts o’—’

  ‘Ssh, Cherry,’ said Clip. ‘I’m sorry but it’s best Sylvie doesn’t know what’s planned. We don’t want her blurting something out by mistake, do we? And Sylvie, we must go out to the garden now because as soon as Sol’s off the phone he’ll come looking for you.’

  Sylvie and her mother kissed goodbye, Miranda clinging tearfully to her thin daughter. Clip led her quickly to the formal garden, Sylvie now much steadier on her feet, and the cool winter air revived her too. They strolled around the gravel paths between the clipped bushes and Sylvie breathed deeply of the fresh air, making the most of this unexpected freedom from her prison. She smiled gratefully at Clip.

  ‘Thank you for rescuing me,’ she said. ‘I was so pleased to see you today.’

  ‘It’s about time I did something to help,’ he replied. ‘You have no idea how guilty I feel, Sylvie, for all the wrongs I’ve done to you and your mother. And I should never have hypnotised you or taken any of your moon magic. I feel dreadful about it.’

  Sylvie squeezed his hand, feeling a return of the old warmth that she’d always felt towards him.

  ‘Don’t worry, Clip,’ she said. ‘I understand how hard it is to go against his wishes. I know you’ve never meant to harm me.’

  ‘But I shouldn’t have been so weak,’ he said ruefully. ‘I’ve always been scared of my half-brother. All my life I’ve been unable to stand up to him. I know exactly what Sol’s like and I admire you, Sylvie my dear, for what you’re enduring, being with him day and night. He’s absolutely obsessive and it must be dreadful for you.’

  ‘It was alright until he found out I’d kissed Yul at the Dark Moon. That’s when he turned so nasty and started playing cat and mouse, sometimes kind, sometimes cruel. I never know how he’s going to treat me from one hour to the next and it’s terrifying sometimes, the way his mood changes so dramatically. Worst of all, I think he enjoys watching me suffer.’

  Clip nodded.

  ‘He’s always been like that, ever since he was a boy. It’s bordering on a personality disorder I think. You’re a very brave girl, Sylvie, but I mean it – I really don’t think he’ll harm you and I wouldn’t dream of leaving you with him if I thought you were in any danger. Just try to keep him happy, and whatever you do don’t stand up to him or cross him in any way. Don’t give him any reason to hurt you. It’s only for five more days. The Solstice is almost here! And after that—’

  ‘SYLVIE!’

  Magus was furious. He strode up to them and took hold of Sylvie, putting his arm round her. She leant against him and looked up at him guilelessly.

  ‘I’m so pleased you came, Magus,’ she mumbled. ‘Please take me back. I feel so weak.’

  ‘Of course, my darling.’

  He scooped her up into his arms and started to walk back to the Hall with Clip trailing along beside him.

  ‘You’re a fool, Clip! I told you she shouldn’t go out – it’s much too cold for her and she’s very delicate.’

  ‘You’ve changed your tune! When I think back to that last Moon Fullness at Mooncliffe … You won’t be saying she’s too delicate next week on Solstice eve, will you?’

  ‘That’s different. And she’ll be better wrapped up then.’

  ‘I think she’ll struggle to give you any moon magic, being so thin and feeble. You should be feeding her up for the event like you did before, if you want to maximise her moongaziness. She’s so weak and—’

  ‘I don’t need your advice!’ snapped Magus. ‘I know exactly what I’m doing. Now go away, and don’t come barging into my chambers like that again. I’ll see you tomorrow morning, about eleven o’clock, in my office. We need to discuss the Solstice ceremony and make arrangements for the Story Web at Yule.’

  ‘Fine – I’ve got some good ideas for that. See you tomorrow then. Goodbye, Sylvie. I’m sorry if the walk was too much for you.’

  Back in the grand sitting room, with the fire roaring, Magus laid Sylvie gently on the sofa and removed her
cloak. She closed her eyes, trying to hide the excitement she felt bubbling inside her. He poured her a goblet of mead and sat by her, holding the crystal glass to her lips.

  ‘There, you’ll feel better with this inside you. You should never’ve gone outside with him. Don’t ever do that again – you mustn’t go anywhere without my permission.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I just wanted some fresh air. I was silly to go without you.’

  He smiled and smoothed her hair, then fingered her neck and the choker.

  ‘Remember what this collar symbolises, Sylvie. You belong to me and you must stay by my side at all times and never stray.’

  The next morning Sylvie was awoken once more by kisses and pretended to be asleep, desperately hoping he’d go away and leave her alone. When the kisses touched her lips she opened her eyes wide in horror and saw not hard black eyes, but deep smoky-grey ones.

  ‘Yul!’

  She tried to sit up but he pushed her back down and kissed her again, holding her face in his strong hands. It felt so good and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him in closer, kissing him back. She wondered if she was dreaming because he shouldn’t be here, they were in Magus’ chambers and … Sylvie jolted fully awake and pushed him away in panic, struggling upright.

  ‘Why are you here, Yul? What’s happening? Is it the Moon Fullness already?’

  He smiled, smoothing the mass of silky hair back from her face.

  ‘Not yet. Magus is in his office discussing the Solstice with Clip and we’ve got half an hour at most. All the doors to the corridor are locked – you really are a prisoner here. But I came in through your room with Cherry’s key, right down the corridor, and then up through all these connecting rooms. I’ll leave the same way and down the servants’ back stairs at the end of the corridor. Harold’s waiting there to guide me out in case I get lost. I just can’t believe this place! The size of all these rooms, Magus’ bed and that bathroom … Here, Cherry’s given me some breakfast for you – better eat it quickly while you can.’