Chapter 20. The Pull

Astrid

My palms had grown slick with anxious sweat as I kept pleading with Magnus, my eyes begging him to reconsider.

He’d hit a nerve with the question about why I thought so lowly of myself but that was one question I couldn’t… wouldn’t answer as there was only one answer to it.

He reached out and swiped his thumb across each cheek then gave me a soft smile. Alright, he said and my heart leaped twice with joy.

He looked up and at the servants, “those who didn’t know what my wife was up to, should get back to their usual duties.” He announced loudly and the relief I was feeling was immediately snuffed out.

No…Magnus please, I began to plead again as all the serving staff except Samantha, the stable man, his son and two others. The last two wouldn’t look me and I assumed it was because they were ashamed, I didn’t know they had recognized me.

The rest of you will be punished, he began again as his eyes settled on the man and his so