11. A Little Bit of Magic #2
"What is happening here?" Gawyn asked when he managed to get over his initial surprise.
"Oh, shoot! Is it this late already?" Skylar gasped, looking up at him.
The chairs scraped the floor, and the servants jumped to their feet with curtseys and bows.
"Well, how about we quickly clean that up and get ready for dinner?" Skylar said with an innocent smile.
"No, I don't think so," Gawyn replied through clenched teeth and pointed at his wife. "You. My office. Right now."
Skylar raised her chin and passed him without a word. Preston started to follow her, but the General stopped him. "I don't have any need for you," he said, with a voice sharper than intended. "Just stay here and don't get in the way."
The guard's face got all red, but he saluted. "Yes, sir!"
Gawyn rolled his eyes and followed his wife. Skylar was leaning at his desk, with her arms crossed, looking defiantly at him. Usually, he would have thought she looked highly alluring, but he was far too annoyed.
"What the hell was all that?" he asked without preamble.
"We are preparing protection charms for the whole household," she replied calmly.
"Charms? Some shamanistic mojos you use in your lands? Why haven't I heard about this?"
Skylar raised her chin and straightened her back. "I didn't know I needed to ask your permission for everything I do."
"I'm the Lord of this house. Don't you think I'd like to know if you involve all my servants in your crazy plans?"
Skylar scoffed. "There you go again. Your servants. Your house."
The General raised a brow. "What?"
"You always do that, you know," she said and stepped forward, stopping in front of him and looking up with those blazing dark eyes.
"Every time I do something you don't like, it's my house, my servants, my everything!"
She jabbed him in the chest with an accusatory finger, with every my.
"I hate to remind you, but I AM your wife! I AM the Lady of this house. And I will not back down from protecting OUR people because you are prejudiced against my methods!"
Gawyn grabbed her hand, preventing her from more poking. "You are walking a very thin line here, Skylar," he growled.
"What are you going to do?" she challenged, withholding his cold gaze without flinching. "Forbid everyone to talk to me? Restrain me to my room? Maybe close me in a tower while you are at it?"
The General scoffed and let go of her hand.
"Don't be ridiculous." He walked toward the window and looked out, massaging his temples - he could feel a terrible headache building there already.
He turned back to her. "I told you clearly what I think about your methods. And yet you just went behind my back and organised some shamanistic fest? You call that trust?"
"They are all terrified," she said quietly.
Gawyn wanted to mock her again, but something in her expression stopped him.
Her fury seemed to subside a bit, leaving behind the exhaustion and worry that was clear in her frown.
And hurt. She looked genuinely hurt by his words.
He felt a weird tugging in his heart that made it hard to breathe for a moment.
"Have you ever paused to consider how terrified our people are?" Skylar continued. "Kayla was at the site of the incident yesterday."
"I know."
"Have you talked to her afterwards?"
Gawyn frowned. "She was not hurt. I didn't see a reason to."
Skylar scoffed. "Of course, you didn't. The man possessed? He was her friend."
"We still don't know if this is not some sort of disease or..." he protested.
"He WAS possessed!" Skylar raised her voice. "How many more deaths do you need to admit it?"
"What I need is tangible proof, not tall tales," he growled, feeling his control over emotions slipping away. Why is she so bloody stubborn?
"When you get your proof, it might be already too late. I will not back down from it, Gawyn, no matter what you say. If we are going to open our home to the public, I want every one of our people protected against dark magic. Simple as that."
The General groaned and massaged his temples again. "Fine, do whatever you want. But I don't want to see the servants wearing any ostentatious talismans."
"You won't even see it," Skylar promised.
There was relief flooding her face now. For some reason, Gawyn felt better when he could no longer see the pain there.
"It's a simple combination of herbs and roots. You can wear it in your pocket, and it's enough to prevent possession. I have mine right here," she added, touching her pendant.
"That's why you are insisting on always wearing this ugly thing." He sighed.
"Yes. And it's not ugly. I..." Skylar hesitated, fumbling with something in her dress pocket. "I made one for you too," she added quietly.
"I don't need it." The General crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes.
Skylar put a little charm on his desk. "I wish you'd think about it. You can put it in your pocket or whatever. But I would sleep better knowing you have it with you."
"Why?"
Skylar looked at him, and there was a sadness in her eyes now. Her lips trembled a bit when she spoke. "Because I would hate to kill you. But if you get possessed, I won't have a choice." She turned on her heel and left the room.
Gawyn huffed. For some reason, seeing her upset like that was bothering him. He strolled to his desk and picked up a charm. It was a little thing, a bunch of herbs and stems bound together with a red ribbon.
"Ridiculous." He scoffed.
And then put the talisman into his pocket.