The Palace (Chateau 4)

The bells started to ring.

They were just overhead, so they were loud.

Powerful.

Echoing.

Raven’s entire expression changed when she heard that sound. Eyes watered, her face scrunched together, and she cupped her mouth as the tears spilled over. She completely lost it, succumbing to her tears.

Magnus cupped her face and kissed her. “Ma petite amie…”

The bells continued to toll. Rose petals were thrown into the air. Melanie and I clapped. The harpist continued the beautiful music even though it was barely audible over the bells.

Lost as they were in each other, everything else faded away.

Except the sound of the bells.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Epilogue

The only sound was the wind.

It howled in bursts before it turned quiet once again.

The winter air was so cold that every window was frosted in the corners. A broken door creaked as it swung on its hinges. Snow was piled high between the cabins. Untouched by humanity, white powder was everywhere.

Boots crunched against the snow.

Vapor emerged from his nostrils.

Eyes bluer than the sky took in the sight.

A slow smile stretched across his lips. It turned into a full grin.

Every tooth visible.

Maniacal joy. Reckless excitement. Insanity.

He looked over his shoulder to the men behind him. Then he raised his arms in the air and turned in a circle, his boots kicking the snow aside. He dropped his arms and marched in the lead, heading to the abandoned opening between the cabins. “Here it lies.”