Chapter 29

Sobbing, Anna disentangled herself from Christian’s embrace. Looking back, she saw how terrible his wounds were. His entire back was a chaos of shredded flesh and muscle, blood pouring out, soaking into the gravel.

“I’ll get help,” she said, getting to her feet. “Don’t move.”

Running, she made halfway to the manor before encountering Agnes and other members of the household hurrying towards her.

“Quickly,” she screamed to them, pointing back down the drive. “Christian’s hurt!”

Slumping to her knees, she watched as they lifted his body from the ground and carried it towards the manor. Left alone, she looked back at the gate, seeing the enfield pacing back and forth along its length, its roars of frustration echoing through the night.

Agnes had Christian carried his study, the closest room with a fire, and had them lay him face down on a long reading table. Sending servants off to collect blankets and more firewood, she began wiping blood from his face.

His magic didn’t seem to be healing him. There were no blue sparks, the wounds remained open and the blood flowed.

“Christian,” she breathed, gently pushing fur away from his face. “What do I do? You’re not healing.”

“It’s okay,” he replied, blood dribbling from his mouth. “Let me go. I’m ready.

“Send Anna home after I’m gone,” he continued, his voice rasping. “Go with her, and take care of her.”

“Christian?” a small voice said from the doorway.

Agnes looked up to see Anna standing there covered in blood, mud and flatsum from the forest. Slowly the young woman entered, limping towards the table they’d placed Christian’s body on.

“He’s dying,” Agnes replied, covering her mouth with her hand.

“He can’t,” Anna replied, reaching his side. “He can’t die. I have to thank him for protecting me.”

“Tell him now,” Agnes sniffed, stepping out of the room, unable to watch her master die. “I don’t know how much longer he has.”

“What about his magic?” the girl asked, looking down at Christian’s injuries then back at the older woman.

Agnes simply shook her head. “He’s given up completely.”

Bending down, Anna cupped his face in her trembling hands.

“Christian,” she sobbed, caressing his cheeks. “Please don’t leave me.”

“I’m so sorry,” he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. “I should have never brought you here.”

Anna leaned in closer, her lips close to his.

“Don’t say that,” she sobbed, her voice breaking in pain. “I have known more happiness here than any other time in my life.”

“I… love… you,” Christian said, struggling to bring his hand up to touch her face. “At… least… I know now… what those words… truly mean…”

With a final exhalation of breath, Christian’s body stilled, his hand sliding limply from her cheek.

“I love you,” Anna whispered, catching his paw and pressing it to her lips. “Please don’t leave me.”