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HALFREDA HAS TOLD ME to visit with Macsen. She thinks it’s a good idea for me to tell him I am sorry for the loss of his father, and his sister, to see if he reveals his true intentions to me.
The cloaked man told me that he would need me as an ally. Will Macsen admit that he is that same man? And what will I say to him if he does. I think I will die.
I am frightened as I go to his room. I don’t like him. And I fear what might start between us.
I have never wanted to be a dark witch, though there are many. Some with real power and those who pretend. I am a good witch. I want to be good and do good.
I knock at his door and a guard opens it.
“Ginata, the village white witch to see Macsen please.”
He nods and closes the door in my face. I am not sure whether to stay or leave and hover for a moment before the door opens again. It is Macsen. I know he is the cloaked man the instant our eyes meet. I mask my knowledge and hope that he is not as adept at seeing duplicity as he is at partaking in it.
I smile a solemn smile. “I heard the sad news, and I wanted to offer my condolences on the loss of your father and sister.”
He smiles at me and invites me into his rooms, with a gesture.
I follow him in, wondering if I will see his guard / friend.
“It’s been a shock,” he says, taking a seat. He lifts a jug of ale. “Would you like some?”
I shake my head. I couldn’t bear to drink something he has touched. There could be some of the death draught in there. I will never trust this man.
“No thank you. I come to offer my services. I understand that Halfreda isn’t as well as she would like to be. And, that you will become King? That we will revert to the old laws?”
He nods at me, almost lazily. I get the feeling that he’s sizing me up but I am also sure that he believes I am fooled by his disguise; that I do not know his true nature.
“Halfreda is a part of our family, but our family is changing. If something awful befalls her then I would hugely appreciate you serving me. I have heard good things about your work. You are a successful, talented witch, if I’m correct.”
“I like to think so,” I agree, watching him drink from the jug. Not poisoned then.
“A man needs a friend. And one with your knowledge, skills and resources is priceless. You will be very useful to me.”
He repeats the words he said to me in my little cottage and a shiver runs through me. Do I acknowledge that it was him? Do I play the game with him?
“A poor witch would be happy with any opportunities that came her way. She would be happy to help and happy to work with a new King.”
He smiles over the top of his cup, his eyes full of menace. He has a huge ego this man. This man who would be King. I feel happiness in my heart as I think of Everleigh becoming Queen.
Macsen will not know what has hit him tomorrow and I am full of joy that I will get to witness it.
“Yours to command,” I lie, as I back out of his room.