Page 95 of The Noldrin Witch

Morgaine then gathered a few potions, her cauldron, and a bundle of ingredients.

Having already followed Devon’s request to balance the war, she was fairly familiar with the layout of the camps, and needless to say, she already had a good idea where Kurt might be.

“I only hope this is truly a vision of the future and not a tragedy that’s already come to pass.”

Chapter 38

Elise waited for Morgaine in the courtyard. It had been barely half an hour since she had woken from the vision of Kurt dying. Her hands still trembled as she stood by the gate. The two guards had been concerned about her leaving at such an hour, but ever since her meeting with Sebastian, they had orders not to question anything she did. The orange hues of sunset had long since surrendered to a pale blue sky bathed in silvery moonlight. The rain had dwindled to a light drizzle. It was almost as though someone high above had decided to give her the best possible chance of reaching Kurt.

Elise felt her throat tighten at the sight of a dark shape moving across the sky. The guards immediately reached for their swords.

“It’s fine,” Elise told the two men.

“Are you sure, madam?” one of them asked.

She tried to appear composed, though inside she felt completely shaken.

“She’s a powerful witch. I’m well acquainted with her,” Elise said.

The two guards straightened at once. They gasped but complied. One gave a hesitant nod, while the other seemed almost afraid.

Within moments, Morgaine descended so gracefully it made Elise feel almost inadequate. It did not matter that she had risen from bed and come in great haste; she always looked as though she had spent hours preparing herself for a grand occasion. Nor was Elise the only one to notice the witch’s poise and impeccable appearance. The guards immediately broke formation and hurried over, apparently convinced a lady who could fly through the night might still require help climbing off a broom.

“How kind,” Morgaine said as she took one of the men’s hands and stepped down from the wooden shaft.

The other guard knelt to offer a leg up, sparing Morgaine a longer drop.

Once on the ground, Morgaine rested a hand on each guard’s arm, and the two men melted almost instantly. They looked eager to do even more for her, but there was no need.

“Come here, dear,” Morgaine said, opening her arms to receive Elise.

Elise buried her face in Morgaine’s floral perfume. A touch of vanilla and soft woody notes reached her nose as she fought to keep a tear from rolling down her cheek.

“We have to hurry, Morgaine!” she gasped.

Morgaine stroked her hair as though comforting a frightened child. “I know.”

With the guards’ help, they climbed onto the broom, and Elise asked them to tell Susanne she would be back soon.

“Hold on tight,” Morgaine said. “You’re about to have a journey you’ll never forget.”

As the broom gathered speed, Elise tightened her grip on the shaft. She had forgotten how turbulent the ride on Morgaine’s broom could be. They rose a good thirty feet into the air and shot toward Noldrin before the guards could even raise a hand to wave.

All Elise could think about was how long it would take to reach Kurt, and all she hoped was to find him still alive. She closed her eyes and snuggled closer to Morgaine, holding on to her as though she were the only hope left in the world.

*****

Just after they flew past the castle, a new fear seized Elise. A violent chorus of stomach grumbles rose from Morgaine, making the already rickety ride considerably less reassuring. As they sped through the air, Elise could tell Morgaine was not in her usual form. They skimmed past branch after branch, barely avoiding injury. The night grew darker, but the full moon guided their way.

Elise felt another twist run through Morgaine as a loud grumble escaped her stomach.

“Grrrrr…”

“Are you all right, Morgaine?”

“It’s the stress, dear,” she said. “Ever since I saw you in such desperation, my nerves have been in quite a state.”

Elise felt a measure of guilt, thinking her distress had affected Morgaine so deeply. For a moment, she contemplated asking her to stop and resume the journey later, but something inside her told her Kurt could not spare those precious hours.