Charmed

Chapter Three

Claude had been kind enough to not question what my little lash out was about, which I was thankful for. I didn't think I would have been able to come up with a reason that didn't involve her brother quick enough. Instead, she gave me a small tour of the castle, showing me the armoury and other places I would need to be able to complete my chores.

Polishing Prince Darius' armour was the last thing that was left for me to do. His dog, Dany, was a cute thing. She was a huge springer spaniel, coloured in brown and white spots. She had so much energy it was almost ridiculous. Dany had trotted beside me while I cleaned Darius' clothes, effectively killing two birds with one stone.

My hands were raw as I scrubbed at the metal in front of me. Even on the farm I hadn't had this much work to do. Pa had often done most of the heavy lifting while I saw to the animals and made sure the house was tidy. Cleaning Darius' chamber floors had been tiresome, especially since he had walked in halfway through and had ordered me to clean the part he'd walked over again. Never had I wanted to kill a man more than Darius Vervain.

Yet, there was something about him I couldn't shake. He was ridiculously gorgeous, that was obvious. But he seemed to look at me in a different way to the other women at the castle. Almost like he was trying to figure me out.

While I was pondering this, my hand slipped on the armour and sliced open the palm of my hand. Blood dripped down onto the almost clean metal, and I wanted to scream in anger. Instead, I screamed a little in pain. Sharp pangs of pain were gushing up my left arm.

I tied the clean, spare rag around my hand, tightening it until I couldn't feel the tips of my fingers anymore. The armoury was empty, so I cleaned the blood off of the armour and put it back where it belonged before hurrying out.

The sun had set a few hours ago, and Darius had told me that I couldn't return to my chambers until every chore had been completed. I hurried along the corridors with my hand clutched to my chest. Blood was staining the rag. I was trying to get to the kitchens to clean it up before it stained my dress.

"Are you hurt?" An unfamiliar voice made me stop in my tracks.

I turned to see a young man watching me curiously, a small book in his hand. He was dressed in pale brown trousers and a black shirt. His dark blue eyes contrasted brilliantly with his brown hair, and he was tall and skinny. We stared at each other for a few moments before I figured out that he was talking to me.

I looked down at my hand. "Oh. I – no, not really."

The man held his own hand out, and I sighed before unravelling the rag to show him the damage. "We'd better get you back to my chambers." I stared at him, shocked at his forwardness. "Just to clean your wound. I'm the court physician."

A breath of relief escaped me. I traipsed slowly beside him, glancing up at him every now and then. "Aren't you a little young to be a court physician?"

"Perhaps," he shrugged. "I was an apprentice before my employer died. The King kept me here because I knew my employer's ways and all of the books." He held out his hand for me to shake. "I'm Kane."

"Gwen," I replied, awkwardly returning the handshake.

"Are you new to the castle?" he asked, glancing down at me.

I nodded. "My friend and I arrive this morning." My only friend who was currently not speaking to me.

The walk to Kane's chambers didn't take very long. He opened a door that was alone along the wall that was opposite the courtyard, ushering me inside. The room inside looked less like a chamber and more like an office. Jars containing plants of almost every species lined the shelves, and so many books. Tables were placed inside the room, layered with books and bubbling liquids. Another door led off to what I presumed was the real bedchamber.