Restocking The Glade Ch. 03

Unfortunately, she was far too high profile for that fate. Her husband would never rest in the search for his wife. It wasn't that Carloff held any particular fondness for the woman, not anymore at least, it was just that his pride would not allow him to lose any of his possessions without incident.

With that thought, Bradrick finally allowed his body its weakness and collapsed on top of the curvacious woman. Her legs remained coiled around him and kept them firmly connected, even as he began to soften inside of her. Finally, by mutual consent, they disentangled and lay side-by-side. A wave of his hand banished the spell and her ragged gasps immediately returned.

"By the gods!" She rasped. "Had you not cast that spell, I believe, I would have been heard clear back at your glade! To be truthful, I had not expected more than a mild enjoyment of my revenge. Now, that thought seems paltry and unworthy of you. I do hope you can make this visit a regular one."

Bradrick chuckled knowingly as he pulled himself up and wandered, unsteadily over to the window. He made certain he was far enough back to remain unseen by anyone from the garden below or the walls off in the distance. "You have a beautiful...garden, you know. Very well cultivated. I would see every flower within and discover every beauty it contained."

Annalyse slipped up beside him and stood directly in the window. It didn't matter if anyone saw her there. It was, after all, her chambers. "My good wizard, you have no idea what wonders my garden has to offer."

Bradrick smiled widely. His hand slid over to cup the small of her back. She pressed against him fondly but quickly relaxed her posture as he began to rub small circles. Her contented sigh was enough for him.

The queen never expected the harsh shove. Her lithe grace, her experience and skill in bed, even her practice dodging drunks in a crowded tavern with a tray full of drinks, never prepared her for such a simple assault. Annalyse flailed for a moment but it was too late. Her fingers scrambled for a grip on the rough stone but her balance was gone and her weight pulled her over.

Bradrick adjusted his angle enough to glance out the window. It was enough to see the unnatural angle of her neck. It might be possible for divine intervention to return her from the dead but it wouldn't matter to him. None could ever remember most of the day before they had died. Besides, he expected Carloff wouldn't bother. He'd make a fuss about his wife's death but he would be well and truly satisfied with her gone. Maybe Bradrick should even charge the king for the service.

While Bradrick crossed the room to collect his robe, he considered the necessity that led him to his actions. He always monitored the few nymphs he allowed to leave his glade. It was imperative! Occasionally, one of the women among the servants would reveal herself to favor the companionship of women over men. When they eventually sought out his nymph, it was imperative that Bradrick collect them before the curse ran it's course.

He had never anticipated that a royal herself would dally. They usually understood the need to be more discreet than that! When Annalyse's curiosity got the better of her and drove her to discover what it was that her husband had given her up for, she had ensured her own demise.

It was one thing to collect some peasant slut. No one would question when a new nymph appeared in his glade. The people he sold nymphs to were too far away to worry about stumbling in and recognizing them. After all, he only sold those who came from his own region for the express purpose of getting them far enough away that no one would discover their identity. Calliope, the woman who had become the nymph that Carloff bought, had been just such a woman. He'd sent her far enough away that his secret would never be revealed.

Bradrick couldn't simply "collect" a queen, however. There was too much chance that she might be recognized, despite the distance. Besides, if royalty vanished then a systematic hunt would begin for them. No, she had to die and it needed to look like an accident.

More importantly, it had to happen before the first onset of the curse.

He scooped up his robe and quickly slipped it on. A scream wrenched the night and booted feet could be heard headed in his direction. It was time to go. A look around proved there was nothing that could connect him to the deed.

If they looked hard enough, they would find his seed within her. The brief fling had been amusing enough that he didn't care. He didn't expect Carloff to care enough. Even if they did, there was no magician that could overcome his wards.

With a smile, Bradrick vanished, back to his manor. His work was complete. His secret was safe.

Copyright December 2011, by Deathlynx