Page 76 of Bewitched

“Thank you,” said Medea, looking around as they walked over the drawbridge and back into the courtyard of Kasculbough. Somehow, she had hoped to see Rhys, but he was not here. Right now, she’d even feel better if she just saw one of his brothers, or mayhap his mother or Talia. Sadly, she knew she wasn’t going to see any of them since she knew where they were. Medea had seen the location of all of these people from the air, except for Rhys, the person she wanted to see the most.

All the friends she’d made here, as well as Rhys’ family, were all with the ones they loved. They were at their homes where they should be. Home. The word hit her like a boulder to the gut. Where was her home now, she wondered? It used to be at Tanglewood Castle in England. However, that seemed like naught but a dream. How could she ever return there after what she’d been through on Mura?

Medea had felt at home in the Whispering Dale and amongst the fae folk. She liked it there so much that she had never wanted to leave. She had even felt comfortable and accepted when she’d visited the Blackseed cottage. Now, she felt like she didn’t belong at any of these places, and neither would she be accepted anywhere after what she had just done.

“I’m sorry your wedding didn’t take place as planned,” said Henriette, being kind as usual, helping Medea up the spiral staircase to the tower bedchamber. Medea was so soaked from the rancid moat water that with every step she took her shoes squeaked. Her body reeked like sewerage or perhaps decomposing bodies of enemies that were at the bottom of the moat. She couldn’t stand the smell of herself. “I’m sure the King will reschedule the wedding as soon as you are both healed,” Henriette assured her.

“Yes,” Medea answered, thinking about how the King acted when he was on the dragon. People said she had a dark side, but this man was power-hungry and mean and so much worse. He didn’t care whom he killed to get what he wanted. She didn’t like that in the least.

Entering the tower room, the first thing Medea found herself doing was looking for her baby. Of course, her daughter wasn’t there.

“I’m sorry about what happened with your baby, my lady,” said Henriette. “I understand you’re upset with me and I will accept any punishment you feel is fit.”

“Punishment?” Medea looked up, deep in thought.

“I deserve to be punished for not protecting your baby.” The woman lowered her head.

Medea knew that her baby was in good hands. Rhys, his family, and Rapunzel would make sure the child was safe. She realized now that the one the child wasn’t safe with, was herself.

“There will be no punishment nor any reprimanding, Henriette. It wasn’t your fault.”

“Thank you, my lady. That is very kind of you. Let me help you change out of your wet clothes. You must be chilled and want to warm your body in the hot bath.”

“There’s no need to help me. Take the rest of the night off,” Medea told her. “I can tend to things myself.”

“Thank you, my lady,” said Henriette, bowing and backing out the door. “Do not hesitate to call for me if you need anything at all. If not, I will see you in the morning.”

“Henriette?” Medea stopped the woman just as she was about to close the door.

“Yes, my lady?”

“Tell me something. Why are you so kind to me, when I have been nothing but mean?”

“I am your maidservant,” she answered. “It is my job.”

“Oh. I see.” Medea’s heart sank to hear that the woman only did it out of duty. “That will be all,” she said, dismissing the woman. Henriette closed the door and once again Medea was all alone.

She opened the shutter on the window, wanting to watch the moon and stars while sitting in the bath. It was getting dark already, and it looked like a storm was approaching. With a flick of her hand, she was naked and sitting in the hot tub. The water felt comforting to her aching body. It wasn’t easy riding on the back of a dragon and it had taken a toll on her. Especially since she had just birthed a baby. She needed to rest. There was soft soap and a clean cloth that the handmaid had left for her, along with rose petals that were sprinkled atop the water.

Medea picked up a rose petal, holding it between two fingers, feeling the softness of it. Then she brought it to her nose for a sniff. It smelled nice, but could not compare to the scent of lippenbur lilies. She washed and relaxed in the hot water, becoming very sleepy. Henriette was right about the bath. It felt wonderful. What didn’t feel good was the fact that she was once again all by herself. Now she didn’t even have her baby for comfort.

Medea thought about transporting herself to the Whispering Dale to steal her child back, even though it was exactly what Rhys wanted. The main reason she didn’t do it, was because when she tried to take her little girl from Rhys earlier, the baby had used her magic to keep Medea away. Even her baby didn’t want her near, because of the darkness inside her. It made Medea cry.

Staring out the window at the stars and moon starting to appear, Medea thought about the magical night with Rhys in the field of lippenbur lilies as she continued her bath. She longed to be there right now. Why couldn’t she be with him again?

“I would give anything to be Rhys’ wife and raise our child together,” she said aloud, being totally honest with herself. “I wish it could be so,” she whispered, staring straight up at the brightest star in the sky.

She’d had an exhausting day, and her eyes started to close. Too tired to even get out of the bath, Medea leaned her head back and fell asleep, hoping to dream about Rhys and baby Lily, since this is the only way she would ever see them again.

Nineteen

Rhys managed to sneak back into Kasculbough Castle later that night, having helped his brothers at both Macada Castle and Evandorm to put out the fires and tend to the injured. Thankfully, there had been no actual deaths from Medea’s little escapade with the dragon. Unfortunately, both King Grinwald and King Sethor were so furious that they were already planning an attack on Kasculbough. What a mess Medea had made of things.

Even so, Rhys didn’t want anything happening to her. He missed her and longed to talk to her and hold her in his arms once again. Standing below her tower window, he tugged on the rope that was still attached to the grappling hook fastened to her window. He looked around once more, and when he was sure no one was watching, he scaled the tower, making his way to Medea’s room.

Rhys pulled himself into the room and landed with a soft thump inside the chamber. It was dark in there. In the moonlight coming through the window, he could see Medea relaxing in a tub of water with her head back and her eyes closed.

“Medea?” he whispered, making his way over to her. When he got closer, he heard her whimper in her sleep. He glanced down to see that she’d been crying. “Medea, sweetheart,” he said, putting his hand out to gently touch her. Her body felt freezing cold. Dipping his fingers down into the water, he realized it was frigid. “Medea,” he said again, but couldn’t seem to wake her. Removing his weapon belt so he wouldn’t hurt her, he then scooped her out of the water and carried her over to the bed. As he put her down between the covers, he noticed she was shivering and her teeth chattered.