Mageborn The Line of Illeniel by Michael Manning (top novels of all time TXT) 📗

need time to think,” and with that she left. I stared into the distance for some time after, wondering what he would say. Marc was the best liar I had ever met, bar none, but since his calling he had changed. Even though he had given me the idea I wasn’t sure he would help. The Lady of the Evening Star had strict rules regarding lying, and there was nothing false about his new devotion.

***

She said nothing to me at dinner that evening. The great hall was a good deal quieter now. Almost all of the women and children were already gone. I had spent the better part of the afternoon transporting them to Lancaster, one group after another. We had plenty of time still, so they could have traveled on foot, but I wanted them to get used to the idea. Some took quite a bit of convincing as it was. It was better to make sure they trusted it now than wait until we were pressed for time.

As a result of my efforts I was exhausted by the time I had my meal. Not only had I taken several hundred women and children to Lancaster, I had also returned with the majority of the fighting men that had been living there. Lancaster was now populated almost entirely by women and their dependents, plus the few elderly that had been in Washbrook. Genevieve and Rose were with them, keeping order, though Rose had raised some objections.

I sat at the head of the high table with Penny on my right hand. James Lancaster sat to my left, in the seat that had once been my father’s place. The sight of his empty chair had given me trouble for some time and I was grateful to have him filling it. Dorian and Marc each sat in the chairs beside Penny and James. I carefully avoided looking at Marc for fear of revealing my lie. I was sure she had already spoken to him, but she hadn’t told me his response. My instincts told me it was better not to ask.

“We’re a cheerful bunch this evening,” James announced suddenly, breaking the silence. “I haven’t seen so many dark faces since... hmm.” He rubbed his chin. “As a matter of fact I have never seen so many dark faces. We need to cheer up. Dorian! You first... did anything interesting happen for you today?”

Dorian grunted, “Williams fell on his ass during drill today. Clumsiest man I ever saw, he’ll kill himself before the enemy has a chance.” I had no idea who he was talking about, but it wasn’t very funny. Dorian had a talent for making the funniest of stories a bit dry and flat.

James gave a polite laugh, “How about you Marcus?” His son was his best hope. Marc had a way with stories.

“Actually yes! But I can’t tell you,” he announced sadly.

“Why not!?” James protested.

“It’s a matter of confidence, between man and goddess. I will say that some folks have issues with parts that you would never expect!” There was a twinkle in his eye as he spoke, leaving little doubt what parts he was referring to.

That got a better laugh from all of us, so James looked across to Penny. “How about you my dear? Did anything interesting happen to you today?”

Penelope looked like a deer caught in a trap. She gazed at him seriously for a moment before glancing at Marc and then back to me. Her mouth opened and she started to speak, but her lip was trembling. I could see her eyes watering before she said, “I’m sorry you’ll have excuse me.” Quickly she rose and walked quickly to the door leading to the stairs.

James seemed apologetic, “What was that? Was it something I said?”

Marc gave put an arm on his shoulder, “No father, it wasn’t you. She has a lot on her mind today.” He gave me a meaningful look.

“I’d better go check on her,” I announced and stood up to leave. Marc rose and caught up to me before I reached the door.

“I told her what she needed to hear,” he whispered in my ear.

“Really? Thank you! I... I don’t know what to say. It couldn’t have been easy for you.” I embraced him roughly. “Thank you. No matter what... you’ll always be my best friend.”

He shook his head at me and let me go. As I headed for the stairs I heard him say something else, but I couldn’t quite catch his words, he spoke too softly. I almost thought he said, “I only told her the truth,” but that wouldn’t have made sense.

***

I found Penny in our bedroom, curled into a tight knot and clutching one of the pillows. She had been crying into it. The sheets were a mess and half of them were on the floor. She made no move as I entered the room, though I knew she heard me come in.

“You talked to Marc didn’t you?” I asked as I sat beside her on the bed.

She didn’t respond, other than to shake her head in what I thought might be a yes. Her hair was a mess. It had been up in a tight bun, but now it was a tangled knot of hair. It looked as though she had tried to pull it loose and given up mid-way through.

“I was right wasn’t I?” I said quietly.

She clutched the pillow tighter for a moment, before responding, “Yes.” I stayed silent. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I held my tongue until she continued, “Are you happy now?” It was as much an accusation as a question.

“Actually yes,” I said quietly.

She turned her head to glare at me, “You bastard! This is what you wanted all along!”

“No,” I lied again, “but I’m happy that we’re going to have a child. I love you Penny, and I had always hoped we would have children someday.” Another lie, I had never given it a thought. My