Chapter 40

Bartz found himself lying in a soft grassy field next to a crystal blue sparkling pond on a perfect day with the sun hovering, almost smiling, directly above. There was only a hint of white wispy clouds in the sky. The air smelled of chocolate. Truly this would be paradise if only she were here. Yes, that’s what this near-perfect day was missing: her.

Bartz stood up and looked around. There was nothing because she wasn’t here.

Where was she? Why was he here and not with her? He longed to touch her, to smell her, to be with her. Why was she toying with him like this? Had he been bad? Wronged her somehow? Maybe he didn’t deserve her. Maybe he was unworthy to grovel at her feet.

Yes, that was it. He was unworthy even to grovel in front of her. He was lower than pond scum. He was lower than whatever is lower than pond scum. He was even lower than that.

Perhaps if he apologized, she would forgive him and let him once again worship her.

“I’m sorry!” he cried