Page 92 of The Darkland

“The one man who is worthy of me!” Johanne exploded. “I have waited years for Kirk to realize I am the only woman in the world for him, not those foolish wenches who whisper sweet words or taint him with their crude touch!”

Micheline continued to back away, pushing Valdine and Wanda along. “That’s madness, Johanne. Kirk can never love you. He loves Mara!”

The taut expression on Johanne’s face slackened, melted, drained away. She stared at Micheline, her frail chest heaving unsteadily. Slowly, with the flame of insanity in her eyes growing brighter by the moment, she turned to her brother.

“Is this true?”

“Johanne, I….”

“Is this true?”

Edmund’s attention was diverted from Micheline. “I sent her away, love. She’s no longer a threat to you or to Kirk.”

Johanne clutched the spit tightly, the flesh on her face tightening until she was hardly recognizable. As the three ladies continued to shrink from the volatile confrontation, Johanne took on the madness of the Devil himself.

“You bastard,” she hissed. “You have known all along. Why did not you tell me?”

Edmund struggled to maintain control. “Because it doesn’t matter. She is gone now and you do not have to worry over her.”

“But…!” Spittle dropped from Johanne’s lips. “Why did not you let me wish her away?I should have wished her away!”

“It doesn’t matter…”

“It matters!” Johanne shouted. Against the wall, the cook and Robert’s mother were weeping with fright, growing louder as their mad mistress bellowed. “Of all the women I have wished away, Mara matters most. If Kirk loves her, then she cannot live!”

Beads of sweat peppered Edmund’s brow. The woman he controlled so easily had turned the tables on him and he saw clearly that he was no longer in control. Johanne was lord and master, dominating him, bending him to her will. All of these years Edmund thought it was he who had reigned supreme over the realm of The Darkland, but he could see, simply, that Johanne was the ruler of their world. And it was he who had always submitted to her every whim.

He realized that now. He did not know why he hadn’t seen it before. The more Johanne raged, the more frightened he became.

“She’s gone, Johanne,” he said quietly. “She’s le Vay’s wife now and you cannot harm her. Nothing can.”

Johanne continued to stare at him, her pale eyes twitching ominously. Suddenly, she lifted an eyebrow. “I see now, Edmund,” she murmured, a bitter smile coming to her lips. “Oh, yes. I see quite clearly now. You did notwantto kill her. You love her, too!”

Edmund shook his head. “Nay, Johanne, I do not.”

Johanne nodded wildly, her lips hanging open and oh-so-sure of her demented conclusion. “You would not permit me to kill her because youloved her beauty and spirit. You sent her away so that I would not discover the truth!”

“Nay, Johanne!”

“She has taken both you and Kirk away from me!”

“Johanne, listen to yourself!” Edmund pleaded. “You’re mad, love, simply mad!”

Johanne growled deep in her throat, bringing the spit up and wielding it like a spear. Edmund screamed but was unable to evade the weapon as she plunged it deep into his belly, twisting the rod brutally and loving every moment of his suffering. Micheline, jolted with horror, shoved Valdine and Wanda toward the open kitchen door.

“Run!”

The women obeyed. Leaving the screaming and grunting behind them, they raced from the kitchen in the same direction Gilly had taken. Emerging into the yard, they were immediately confronted by Sir Spencer. Having been summoned by the terrified young girl, the man was fully prepared to do battle. Micheline pushed the twins in his direction.

“My lord, save us!” she cried. “Johanne has gone mad!”

Spencer recognized the twins, assuming that the frantic woman behind them was none other than Lady Micheline. He charged forward, placing himself between the terrified ladies and the open kitchen door.

“Where is she?”

Micheline and the twins were huddled by the tunnel entrance, trembling with fright. Robert, Gilly and Fiona joined them, creating a fearful flock.

“Inside,” Micheline gasped. “She stabbed Edmund and I fear she comes for us!”