Chapter 10; Varice has a decision
Varice laughed as she watched the figure vanish. Daine had been a surprisingly weak opponent to face. Quite disappointing, in fact. The blonde turned away from the window, still smiling. Now Numair could be hers, forever. Frowning, she wondered why she had wanted to break up two completely happy people.
"Varice? Varice, stay there. I'm coming up." The voice belonged to Numair. She was surprised at the urgency those few words held.
"What do you want?" This was it. He was going to tell her he was in love with her.
"Daine seems to think you wanted to break up our betrothal. Is it true?"
That was not what she had expected. "Sorry?" she croaked.
"You heard."
"Did she say that? Used me as an excuse for her troubles?"
"Varice, tell me! Did you?"
Taken aback by his usually quiet tone being raised so loud, she acted on impulse. With horror, she realised she had just nodded.
"Oh no," he whispered. "How...how COULD you?"
"I'm...I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice as quiet, if not quieter than his...
"Sorry? You're 'sorry'? You will be! What have I done! I don't believe it! I trusted you! No wonder she was so upset."
"What have you done?" Varice asked her question very cautiously, in case he did something she'd regret.
"She told me what you'd done, and I didn't believe her."
Varice opened her blue eyes very wide. He had believed her over Daine? "How could you do that? You're supposed to love her!"
He sat down on the floor, shadowy eyes weary. "She'll never forgive me."
"I wouldn't."
He smiled. "It's going to be awkward, with us both living in the same castle."
Varice coughed. "No, it won't."
"Yes, it..." Slowly, the mage pieced together what she had said, with what had occurred recently. "She's gone, hasn't she?"
Varice considered her answer. She could have him. The chance was hers. She could tell him Daine had run away with another man, or dead, or something. Dead was a good one. Sure, he'd be upset for a while, but she could help him out. Bearing in mind Daine had threatened to leave Numair forever, she probably was as good as her word. Varice toyed with the death idea. Just one sentence, and Varice could soon be married to the most powerful sorcerer in Tortall. It was so tempting...
--
Sad soap-opera "suspenseful" music here. Will Varice turn nice? Possibly not, since the author holds a personal grudge against her. Plus, she might not have enough brain cells to say "Yes, she has." Review, and thanks if you've reviewed any of my other chapters.