The Mad Raven's Tale (The Accarian Chronicles Book 1) by Andrew Walbrown (the lemonade war series txt) 📗

Time slipped away from them as they enjoyed each other’s company, the fun only ending when Morganna emptied the last bottle of wine. Amantius felt a pang of disappointment at seeing the last red droplet fall from the bottle into her cup. He had hoped that whichever entity had slowed down time earlier would perform the same action now, only so that the night would not have to end.

“It appears we have exhausted our supply of wine,” Morganna said as she placed the empty bottle aside. “At least for this room, anyway. I have my own personal stash of wine in my chambers, we can continue playing cards there. That is if you want to join me.”

Of course! Amantius screamed internally, and he would have spoken the words aloud had it not been for the sudden emergence of one of Morganna’s bodyguards from a dimly lit corner. It was the same person from before, with the same dead eyes that made Amantius feel uneasy. In truth, everyone else had been so quiet and out of sight that he had completely forgotten they were not alone in the Great Hall.

“Beg my pardon, my lady, but I am not sure if that is a good decision.” The guard said, his voice as steady as stone.

“Not a good decision?” Morganna repeated, her tone instantly changing from warm and inviting to cold and commanding. “Why is that? Please, humor me.”

Amantius shifted in his seat as the guard shifted his gaze to him. He watched as the man sized him up, examining every last inch of his body. The lifelessness behind the man’s eyes unsettled Amantius, much like Count Aldamar had the first time they had met. The longer the man’s attention remained focused on him, the more Amantius thought his mind and heart were being exposed. In response he forced himself to think of anything other than what he was truly thinking, which had been his defense against Aldamar as well.

“Because, my lady,” the guard said, his stare intensifying as the words left his mouth, “this man is our enemy. He fought against you, and even now may be plotting an assassination. I would prefer him to be within my eyesight at all times because we do not know his true motives.”

I thought my motives were pretty obvious. It’s late, she’s beautiful, and there is wine involved. It doesn’t get too much more obvious than that. Amantius would have laughed, but the guard’s piercing gaze still burned hotter than a thousand suns. He was afraid to laugh, fearful of hurting the man’s pride in front of Morganna, knowing he would forever have an enemy here. Amantius sat still, fixing his eyes on the Countess instead, taking solace in one aspect of this exchange. One thing is for certain, though, I know he can’t read my mind. Otherwise, we would be talking about sheep. Big, fluffy, sheep.

“I appreciate your loyalty, Movan, but I can assure you he does not wish me harm,” Morganna replied, measured and with grace. “He has been given every opportunity to leave Home, and every day he chooses to stay. I can say with the utmost certainty that Amantius is one of us now.”

Movan’s lips curled like he was holding back vomit, as though an intense disgust was building inside him. “I accept my lady’s judgment, but he will never be one of us.”

I need to stay away from him. Amantius thought as he watched Movan return to the shadowed corner from whence he came. There was something else bothering him, though, something about the way the guard had said those last words. He will never be one of us.

“Do not mind him, Amantius,” Morganna said as she stood, “he is fiercely loyal to me and only has my safety in his mind. So long as you do not intend me any harm, you should have nothing to worry. Now come, bring the cards, more wine awaits us.”

Amantius gathered the deck and quickly followed the Countess, wanting nothing more than to be out of Movan’s sight. Even as he followed Morganna across the hall and behind the elaborate tapestry, he could feel the guard’s daggered eyes piercing his back. The stalking only ended when they entered Morganna’s private chambers, deep within the Great Hall.

Amantius was immediately struck by the design of the room, the stone face of the giant cliff behind the Great Hall served as the back wall of Morganna’s chambers. Crystal clear water ran gently down a small ravine cut into the rock, green moss growing on each side. A large bed draped with fine, silk curtains sat on one side of the room, a sofa with a large table on the other. Dozens of candles were littered across the room; one by one Morganna lit them until the whole room was engulfed in a golden glow.

“You have the cards, yes?” The Countess nodded towards Amantius, who did the same. “Good. Now get comfortable as I find the correct bottle of wine; if there is one. I am quite happy that you have helped me cull my wine stock this evening.”

“Happy to be of service, my lady,” Amantius replied with a wink. He did not mean to wink, blaming the action on the alcohol pouring through his veins. Yep. You’re a drunk fool.

“So tell me of your home,” Morganna said as she selected an unmarked bottle from a wine rack. “Tell me of Accaria. What is it like? I have always wished to travel, but unfortunately my situation prevents me from doing so.”

Amantius took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He could smell the ocean in the air, and feel the sun’s warmth on his skin. In his mind, he heard the swaying of palm trees in the breeze, the songs of hundreds of birds filling the sky. When he reopened his eyes he saw Morganna was sitting across from him, quietly waiting