The Heart of a Wielder (Book One of The Wielders Trilogy) ✔️

Chapter Seventeen

Maren was on her way to the stables when someone behind her called her name.

"Lady Maren!"

She turned and was very surprised to see Lady Callista. She rarely interacted with her outside a gathering with the Tea Ladies or dinner with the royal family.

"Lady Callista, good afternoon," Maren said.

"Could I have a word?" Lady Callista asked. She looked as though she had been rushing to catch up with Maren.

"Ah...of course, I'm heading out to the stables, you're welcome to walk with me if you like," Maren said.

"I thank you."

"Is everything all right?" Maren asked.

"Oh, yes, very well, I just wanted to...ah....how are you?"

This seemed very unusual. Lady Callista rushed through the halls just to ask her how she was?

"Very well, thank you. Ah...how are you?"

"Oh, I'm just lovely. I just wanted to say...it can be very difficult being in the position we find ourselves in, can it not?"

Maren was not at all sure what she was trying to say. Perhaps she was seeking help?

"Ah...yes, I suppose it can. Are you having some sort of trouble?"

Lady Callista shook her head. "No, no, I'm quite all right. I only wanted to say...we had such a nice chat last week at the reception."

Maren did not think it was a very nice chat, but did not think it polite to say so.

"I'm glad to have the chance to get to know you," Maren said.

Lady Callista smiled, but Maren saw concern in her eyes. "You didn't...ah...you won't tell anyone what we talked about? I'm afraid I had a bit too much wine and was spouting nonsense."

Maren resisted the urge to sigh. It was clear why Lady Callista had really wanted to talk to her now.

"Of course not," Maren said. "But...if you need help...you can talk to me."

Lady Callista shook her head. "I'm well, thank you. Between you and me," she said, lowering her voice, "I saw that night that it could be a lot worse. I'll be all right."

Maren could not say anything in response, so she simply nodded.

"Ah, well, if you'll excuse me," Maren said, gesturing at the door that led to the path on the grounds to the stables.

"Of course," Lady Callista said, "Do take care."

"And you," Maren said before departing.

At dinner later that night, she felt very subdued. She had a feeling Kieran was doing countless horrible things to more than one woman. It was disturbing. She hated to think of others suffering, and she worried what Kieran might do to her if he had the opportunity.

"Are you all right? You're very quiet tonight," the Prince said.

She sighed. "Not really. I had a rather upsetting encounter with Lady Callista. She wanted to make sure I didn't tell anyone what she told me at the reception last week."

The Prince frowned. Maren could see he didn't understand why that would be distressing in and of itself.

"She said she saw that night that it could be much worse for her," Maren added.

"What does that mean?"

"I'm not sure exactly. But my guess is that it has something to do with the 'pet' he wanted to introduce her to," Maren said.