Solstice at Stonewylde (38 page)

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.’

Sylvie wolfed down the thick bacon sandwiches and gulped at the glass of milk whilst he watched, horrified at the sight of her. She wore another pair of the black silk pyjamas which Magus liked to dress her in, not allowing her to fall sleep in the expensive
designer clothes. At his insistence, she now wore the pyjamas at all times other than when he made her change for dinner.

Although the loose bottoms covered her legs, the skimpy top showed just how thin she’d become; jutting collar bones, pointed shoulders and stick arms. Her jaw and cheekbones were unnaturally prominent making her eyes seem even larger in her hollow face. The huge diamond collar, so thick around her neck, sparkled in the sunlight that poured in through the windows, and her silver hair cascaded around her shoulders and down to her waist in a wild tangle. Yul felt a jolt of desire at the sight of her, and couldn’t bear the thought of Magus seeing her like this every morning and night, so exposed and defenceless, yet more desirable than ever in her vulnerability.

She looked up at him, chewing frantically on the sandwich.

‘Stop staring at me,’ she said with her mouth full.

‘I can’t help it – you’re too beautiful.’

She smiled, swigging down the milk.

‘You can bring me breakfast in bed any time you like,’ she said, finishing the last crumb of the sandwich and licking her fingers. ‘Oh that was lovely!’

‘I’ll have to go, Sylvie. It’s all so close now and I can’t risk anything going wrong. But you wait – you shall be fed bacon sandwiches to your heart’s content once the Solstice is over, I promise.’

Yul took her in his arms again and held her gently, not squeezing her too hard as she felt so frail and delicate. He tried not to look at the livid bruising all around her upper arms knowing he’d go mad with anger and spoil their brief time together. Nor could he bear to look at the other, faded marks on her lower arms.

‘I’ve got something for you, Sylvie.’ He fished inside a pocket and brought out a small woven pouch, old and grimy with a dark leather drawstring. ‘It’s from Mother Heggy and it’s for protection. She said to tell you it belonged to Raven, and you’re to wear it round your neck when you moondance at the Solstice.’

‘Okay,’ said Sylvie, taking the tiny bag a little doubtfully. ‘I’ll
need to hide this away from him. And where will I be moondancing? I won’t have to go with Magus to Mooncliffe, will I?’

‘Oh no! Don’t worry, we’ve got everything organised – just be prepared to leave on the afternoon of the Moon Fullness.’

‘Who’s “we”?’

‘It’s best you don’t know, then you can’t give anything away. I’m sorry … there are so many people who … well, never mind that now. You have to remember that whatever happens you won’t be going to Mooncliffe. I’d die before I let you down again.’

Sylvie nodded, clinging to him, burying her face in his curls. She loved him – how could she have almost given him up for that man? She felt so ashamed of her betrayal and started to cry.

‘Don’t! Please don’t, Sylvie,’ he begged. ‘It breaks my heart to see you trapped here in his lair. It’s been decided that this is the best way, but I hate it. You’re being sacrificed to keep him content, so he stays in here with you thinking he’s got what he wants and has already won. He mustn’t find out what’s going on behind his back down in the Village. Dry your eyes, Sylvie, please. I feel so guilty about this.’

‘I just wish it were all over,’ she whispered. ‘I’m terrified about what’s going to happen and I don’t want there to be any violence.’

‘Neither do I, believe me. I’ve had more than my share of violence.’

‘So what will happen to Magus? How are you going to get him out and become the new magus yourself? ’

‘Sylvie, I have absolutely no idea how this will work. Mother Heggy’s prophecy only said I’d rise up and overthrow him. Unfortunately it didn’t explain how. I’m trusting to destiny and instinct.’

‘Please, Yul … promise me you won’t kill him. I couldn’t bear that.’

He hesitated at this and gazed deep into her eyes. She felt his spirit blazing out, strong and true.

‘I don’t want to kill anyone, Sylvie, but I can’t promise you that. I’ll do what I have to when the time comes. Just believe that I’ll try my very best to do what’s right, and soon this
nightmare will be over and everything will change.’

‘I want to be with you, Yul, and feel safe.’

‘We’ll be together very soon. Just imagine – seeing each other whenever we like, no more secret meetings – we’ll be just like any other sweethearts. I can’t wait!’

He kissed her tears, tasting their saltiness.

‘Lie down as if you’re asleep and try to look hungry.’

‘I am hungry! It’ll take more than a bacon sandwich to fill me up.’

Yul gazed down as she lay back on the sofa with her hair spread out in a fan of silver. Sylvie smiled up at him, her pale grey eyes so pretty, and he tingled with weakness and longing, wanting only to throw himself on top of her. There was something magical about her that drove him wild; how could Magus resist her? That was what really worried him – surely he wasn’t alone in feeling this craving for her?

That night Sylvie had a terrible nightmare. Maybe because she’d eaten proper food that day, the mead hadn’t sent her to sleep quite as soundly as usual. Magus was chasing her through the maze in the formal garden wielding a double-headed axe made of white stone. He was mad, his eyes manic, his mouth snarling open in a rictus of rage – he’d become the Minotaur. Snakes writhed around the maze, silver and black, hissing at her with forked tongues and needle-like fangs, trying to stab and envenom her as she ran around desperately seeking the exit. Sylvie sat up screaming, kicking the pashmina to the floor and flailing wildly.

Magus came rushing in through the dressing room and bathroom from his bedroom, for her screams had reached him even there. Pulling on a heavy black silk robe, he raced over to the sofa and scooped her into his arms, holding her tight.

‘It’s alright, Sylvie,’ he said soothingly. ‘It’s alright, my darling, I’m here.’

‘Who are you?’ she whimpered, still thrashing about trying to escape the monster. In the near darkness lit only by the glowing
embers of the dying fire, she saw the gleam of his blond hair. ‘
No
!
Not you
! Where’s Yul?’

‘Stop it, Sylvie, and wake up! You’re safe now.’

But she fought, trying to escape, punching at him. He tried to calm her but she wriggled wildly, shouting that she hated him and wanted only Yul. Then Magus grasped her by the arms exactly where he knew it would hurt most and shook her till her head snapped back and forth.

‘Be quiet, you stupid bloody girl! Be quiet!’

She screamed with the pain as he squeezed her damaged arms, then he let go to slap her hard round the face. That quietened her and she fell back gasping for air, finally fully awake, trying to catch her breath after the hysteria.

Magus got up and turned on the lamps, flooding the room with soft light. He found her goblet and filled it with mead.

‘Drink this,’ he commanded. ‘All of it. Then we’re going to have a talk, you and I, and put things straight once and for all.’

Sylvie forced the drink down her throat, feeling the familiar warm sensation as it hit her stomach. She shivered with fear and cold, unable to remember what she’d said while she was dreaming. She closed her eyes. Awake or asleep, this was all one long and terrible nightmare. Magus poured himself a brandy and sat next to Sylvie on the sofa staring into the amber pool in his glass.

‘I’m sick of this attachment you have to Yul,’ he said finally, in a cold, clipped voice. ‘It’s been going on for a long time and you’ve persistently disobeyed and defied me over him. I thought, the other night when you made me so angry, that we’d cleared it up once and for all. I explained that to deserve this level of privilege, to earn the right to have your every desire and whim taken care of, the one thing I require from you is obedience. And I made it abundantly clear that any feelings you once had for that boy were to be erased for ever. Did I make that clear or not?’

‘Yes, Magus, you did,’ she whispered, her voice quavering.

He turned his gaze on her and stared, his eyes narrowed and merciless. Sylvie trembled. She had no idea what he might do to
her next – it could be anything. She recalled the flare of pleasure in his eyes as he’d witnessed her pain and knew he was capable of any kind of cruelty. She thought of Yul, at Magus’ mercy twice in the stone byre for days on end. She understood how Yul must’ve felt, and why he’d never be dissuaded from getting rid of this man. To have someone taking pleasure in your pain and enjoying your suffering was the worst experience, and Sylvie was petrified as to how he might hurt her next.