A Touch of Magic

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Three

Brikwood

There it was. That strange feeling had returned to me. The feeling of something being very, very wrong. It came to me as soon as I saw the queen. The feeling was mixed with a deep confusion upon seeing the strong-looking man next to her.
His black beard had specks of blood stuck in it as if he had just come from battle. His ivory eyes found mine, and he approached me.
"Who is this now?"
Night Cast's eyes darted between me and the strange man. For a brief moment, I sensed fear in her eyes, but it was quickly gone. I must have imagined it. Nothing could get to this woman. She was like steel, hard and solid.
"My name is Brikwood, sir. I serve the queen."
He nodded.
"In that case, I assumed she had told you all about me."
She most certainly hadn't. In fact, she had never even mentioned him. Was he someone important?
"I can't say she has, sir."
I shook hands with him, but I noticed a new hardness in his eyes. However, I don't believe it was directed at me.
He crossed his arms.
"Allow me to introduce myself then. My name is SteelHeart, but you will refer to me as King."
I tilted my head.
"I don't understand, sir."
He reached for Night Cast's hand but stopped on her ring finger. He turned to me.
"It seems she has forgotten this, but I'm also your queen's husband."
My mouth fell open. Why had she never mentioned this to me? If she was married, where was her ring?
"I still have it!"
Night Cast said quickly.
"My finger was getting a bit sore, that's all."
He didn't look convinced. I was still confused. This man was claiming to be her husband, but she didn't even seem to like him that much. Strange.... He turned to me again.
"My wife and I must discuss something in private. You are dismissed."
I bowed and headed for the exit. Evergreen was waiting for me. Hopefully, with Demetry and his army.
As I was leaving, I noticed three things. The tight grasp SteelHeart had on her hand, the way he practically shoved her around the corner, and the look of utter terror on her face as he did so.