Black Moon Draw

"A thousand years is so long. How do you know a peace summit won't work?"

"I have eight days to do what my predecessors did not. 'Tis too late for peace."

She rested her cheek on her knee, studying him. "What happens after they all submit? The curse breaks?"

"I go to the castle of my forefathers and confront the magic within."

"Then it's over?"

"Not quite. Three knights have gone before me into the castle and either gone mad from the curse or disappeared. I must fight one last battle for my kingdom. 'Tis the greatest of all the battles."

"It sounds so noble yet so . . ." she trailed off, clearly disturbed by all he told her.

"If you are not here to be a battle-witch, why are you here?" he asked with some agitation, at a loss as to how she was supposed to help him win a war.

"I don't know," she replied. "I think I'm supposed to help someone do something important."

"A Shadow Knight reclaim his kingdom and break the curse over him, mayhap?"

She lifted an eyebrow, her expression turning skeptical. "Reclaim your kingdom? Is that what you call slaughtering everyone in it?"

"Is there no war in your land?"

"Not really, no."

"My world is naught but war."

"I see that."

"No, you do not."

She frowned. "I spent the day at battle with you and helped you win. I think I get the point."

"You fail to understand the purpose behind it."

"I do understand!" The battle-witch stood and shook out her shoulders, antsy. "I don't know what to do about it. I don't know why I'm supposed to help you or how this thing works sometimes and not others." She patted the Heart around her neck.

He had never tried to share the news with his betrothed, who held no stake in whether his armies flourished or failed. If he tried, he knew she would listen and accept without question, the way every man in his army did his commands. The battle-witch wanted naught to do with him or his world and was fighting him every step of the way, even after he had told her one of his greatest secrets.

"This isn't real anyway. In a few days, I'll be home."

"I have never heard aught so outlandish," the Shadow Knight replied.

"Wait, what? What part did you hear me say out loud?"

"You speak nonsense at times, witch." He shook his head gravely.

He had begun to think her mad and this seemed to prove it. He reined in his anger. By the look on her face, his eyes were changing to gray, the color of battle, lust, and anger. It acted as a warning to all who faced him. After a brief hesitation, she approached him.