Do not go gentle into that good night
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
-Dylan Thomas
I. HARBINGER
She was exquisite.
Richard trembled as he stood before her and hoped he pleased her. That he did not stand too near or too far. She had asked to speak to him alone, and he could barely think through the cloud of worry that filled his mind. As long as she stayed silent, he could not know her wishes. He longed for her words so he might know what to do. What she desired. He drew a deep breath and hoped it was not too loud for her liking.
She took a step closer, smiling at him, and he thought he would weep at her kindness. The afternoon sunlight floating down through the trees set her golden hair ablaze like a crown. Annabelle. He thought it the loveliest name he had ever heard, though he would never dare call her that. Only Mistress.
He cast quick glances to his left and his right, scanning the woods for the slightest disturbance, any sign of harm that might be coming for her. But all was quiet and peaceful. She was safe, and he breathed easier. When he looked back at her, his mistress smiled still.
"Richard," she said softly, like a song. His heart beat faster. He could barely manage a nod of his head, so great was his joy that she was finally speaking to him. She clasped her hands together and looked away, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks as she spoke, "I have a task for you, Richard. I think you will like it."
Oh, he would. If she wanted him to, he would love it. "Mistress, what would you have me do?"
Though the blush stayed on her cheeks, her eyes were full of mischief and delight. "I want you to lie with Kahlan," she said with a hint of a giggle. "You love her, remember?'
A gaping pit opened up inside him. He had loved Kahlan once, he remembered, but that had been before. Before he had known that all love began and ended with his mistress. Before she had touched him and shown him how wrong he had been. He tried to clarify, "But I don't love her, I love you."
She frowned and Richard knew he had somehow displeased her. Still she spoke so gently to him, even though he had answered wrong. "It would please me greatly if you gave her a child."
"A child?" he asked.
"Yes, Richard. A child. Will you do this?"
"If it pleases you, Mistress, I will." He hesitated, still afraid she might believe he desired another more than her. But his mistress drew closer and laid a hand on his arm. He thought he might die from the pleasure of her touch alone.
"Then go to her," she said, a smile spilling across her face. "And know that this makes me happy."
Relief flooded him. His heart sang in his chest to have a task he could accomplish for her. He would give Kahlan a child. For his mistress's pleasure.
So, this was super short. More of a prologue than a proper chapter. I'll post the next chapter early tomorrow. Just as soon as I get some sleeeeeep.
