Beautiful Dreamer

Chapter 24

 Linna came into my room as quiet as a mouse, I did not even hear her at first.

“My king, you summoned me?” She asked in the quiet little voice of hers.

“Yes, I was looking for a status report on Analise. Her daily coming and goings.”

“My queen has seemed to be keeping herself very busy as of late. She spends most of her time with either Drisellda or in the library reading. Also, she had her monthly blood just this morning.”

Another failure on my queens’ part. She never ceased to disappoint me. I was hoping for an heir rather soon. With Analise’s lineage I was sure to produce an heir that had abilities. I needed an heir to ensure my line of succession and a powerful one at that. The fact that she had failed to give me one was infuriating. I knocked everything off my table in a fit of rage causing Linna to jump. I walked over to her and placed my hand on her cheek gently caressing it with my thumb.

“I am sorry my dear. I was just really hoping for an heir.”

“If I could give you a legitimate heir, I would.” She said looking lovingly at me.

“I know you would my sweet. You would do anything for me, but it is her I need.”

Linna looked down at the ground sadly. I knew what she wanted but I could never give it to her. She would always only be my mistress and nothing more. She was just an ordinary girl and could offer me nothing but her love. A love that was wasted on me because I could give her no real future, only bastard children. It was my duty as king to wed within my ranks, I would never be able to truly follow my heart. I had once thought that it might be possible with Analise but then I discovered her to be a treacherous snake. I still needed her though as my queen but it did not mean that I had to like it. I would keep her under my thumb and have her every move tracked. I had eyes and ears all over the castle, she would never be able to make a move without me knowing about it.

“Has she exhibited any signs of her power returning?”

“Not that I have seen my king. Perhaps she still does not know about them.”

Analise had not used her powers a single time since her time at the castle. It was true her memories were erased and her knowledge of her powers with them. She had spent so much time in the woods with Zachariah. Had he really not told her of her power? I had hoped to get answers from him but no matter how much my men tortured him he refrained from giving us any information at all. He was useless to me and if I could not get anything out of him, I would need to dispose of him. At this point he only served as a threat. All wielders did and if they were not working for me then the world needed to be rid of them.

“Why don’t we take a trip to the library and see what our dear Analise has been up to.”

Linna nodded and smiled at me. She was just grateful to be in my presence and she more than worshipped me. Why could my queen not be more like her? I would break her soon though. Her spirit was strong but everyone has their breaking point. I led Linna down the hallways towards the library as she dutifully followed behind. We passed through the door into the huge library and I smiled as I stared at my beautiful collection of books that I had curated over time. I had worked hard to gather all that I could find of value and was often gifted many of these through those who hoped to curry favor with me. McCoy my keeper of my books was working diligently to put many of my books back upon the shelves.

“McCoy, a word?”

McCoy was startled, ingratiated in his work as always, he had not heard us come in.

“My king, of course. I am sorry I did not realize you were here.”

He bowed immediately paying his respects. I quickly hurried him along, needing to know what exactly Analise had been doing in the library.

“I heard my wife paid a visit here. I want to know what she was doing.”

“Nothing out of the ordinary really. She just wanted to know how the books were organized and if she could take some with her. Was that allowed? I am sorry my king no one informed me that she was not allowed access.” McCoy stated nervously.

“No, it is fine. She is free to use the library as she pleases. Which books did she borrow?”

He picked up a ledger that had all the books that were borrowed and returned on there and handed it to me. I looked down the list and found Analise’s neatly scrawled signature at the bottom along with McCoy’s recording of what she took. She had taken out a book about dialects and peppers, very odd.

“Did she happen to tell you why she took these books in particular?”

“No, though I did think it rather peculiar that she would choose those ones.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. She had not taken anything pertaining to magic so she had obviously not been looking for them. Though it was very strange the books that she did choose.

“Thank you, McCoy. That will be all.”

He bowed and I took my leave of the library. I looked at Linna and knew I needed more answers from Analise. She was a mystery to me and mysteries were dangerous. I had to know what she was up to.

“My dear I am going to need you to pay a more watchful eye on the queen. Do you think you could befriend her and sort out her secrets?”

“For you, anything my king.”

I kissed her forehead before I dismissed her. It was time I paid my wife a visit, to try and ascertain what she was up to. I asked a few guards to find her whereabouts. She was in her own room now and I headed over. I needed to spend some quality time with her, no better way than a surprise visit to her chambers. The guards stationed outside her doors let me in. She was laying on her bed reading, while her handmaiden was busy preparing her some tea at a table. Analise lifted her head and met my gaze with her steely grey eyes. There was fear in them as I entered and I smiled knowing what power I held over her. I dismissed her handmaiden hoping to get a private word in with my wife. She closed her book and got out of bed, bowing to me. I looked over at the cover of the book she was reading, it was as McCoy had said, just a book about peppers.

“Cardwell, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” Analise asked.

Although I knew it to be insincere. She did not want me in here and I could feel the hate radiating from within her.

“I had heard you had paid a visit to my library. I was hoping to get your thoughts.”

I was just fishing for information hoping she would make a mistake and let me know what she was really up to.

“Oh yes! Your library is almost as impressive as you are my king. I picked up a few books to just pass the time. They have been very informative.”

She was good at playing the game, a true viper. Only a real snake could maneuver as carefully through a conversation as she did.

“Really? What have you learned so far?”

“Well right now I am reading up on peppers. I would really love to start a garden on the castle grounds.”

“Why would you do that? Farming is for peasants. I will not have my wife do the dirty work of lowly serf. How would that make me look to my people?”

“I was only hoping to have a hobby and it seemed interesting. You are right as always, my king, I would not want you to look bad. I would never want my actions to reflect poorly on you.”

She was saying all the right things. Maybe I had already broken her spirit but I had not thought she would be able to break so easily. I needed to up the ante a little more. Push a few more buttons and really test her. I drew her close to me and I could tell she was uncomfortable with my touch.

“So, the servants have told me you are bleeding. Apparently, our attempts to put in an heir inside you proved unsuccessful. Which means we will have to try again soon.” 

She was trying to hold her composure and just nodded in agreement. That was not enough to set her off. I was getting close though.

“The guards told me your friend has been rather unhelpful despite the torture he has had to endure. He must really love you.”

She winced, and I knew my words were getting to her.

“I am not sure what he would have to tell you, other than what you already know.”

“Oh, there is always more to know my dear. You both did spend an awfully large amount of time together. Are you trying to tell me nothing happened while you were there?”

“I am not sure what you are insinuating. Perhaps you could be clearer.”

“Oh nothing. I am sure with your missing memories there was not a lot that could be done with you anyways. You are next to useless.”

She gave no reaction and I could tell I was not getting anywhere with her tonight. Perhaps Linna would have a better time extracting information from her. I would just have to wait and see what Linna could come up with. My wonderfully loyal little mistress would not let me down. I just needed to be patient and let it all play itself out.

“Well I have enjoyed our little chat but I must be going now. Have a wonderful evening my queen.”

I left knowing that I was leaving her in Linna’s very capable hands.