Page 26 of Chivalry is Not Dead

Ileave Sanders to watch his hockey game for the hundredth time while I sneak out to go see Madame Selene.

The familiar scent of her shop engulfs me as soon as I push through the front door. “Madame Selene,” I call, propping my elbows against the glass display case full of crystals.

I hear her ambling my way before I see her. “Good morning, child. How is your knight?”

Glaring at her, I reply, “You know the answer to that question.”

“Ah,” she nods. “I want to hear what you have to say, though.”

“We are going to attempt to help him pass through the veil on solstice. Do you think that will work?”

“It could.”

Her vague answers have always driven me nuts, but even more so when I feel the clock ticking down until we try to break Sanders’ curse. “It could,” I repeat. “But…?”

“But nothing, child. Who am I to say what the universe will allow?” She gestures for me to come sit next to her on one of the many mix-matched chairs in the store, her bracelets jangling in a familiar invitation.

“You made a career out of saying what the universe will allow,” I retort.

She holds up a weathered finger. “Incorrect. I am merely a vessel. There are many ways I can communicate, but ultimately the universe will provide clarity in its own time.”

I sigh, slumping forward. “So what do I do? And what if I… I mean, would it be possible for⁠—”

“Anything is possible, dear,” Selene interrupts.

“Anything?” I raise my eyebrow in question.

“Anything,” she confirms. She looks at me over the top of her glasses, eyes narrowing. “You haven’t accepted the bond. Why?”

My jaw drops. “You knew about that?”

Selene rolls her eyes so hard, it wouldn’t surprise me if they got stuck that way. “Of course, child. I could see it as soon as you both walked in to visit me for the first time. It is stronger now but not where I expected it to be.”

“Have you seen a bond like this before?” I ask. “I didn’t know it was possible.”

“Only once.” Her smile is sad. “Many, many years ago.”

“You?” I whisper.

“Me,” she confirms. “She was a Were. We spent fifteen beautiful years together before she was killed in an attack by a rival pack.”

“I’m so sorry, Selene.” All of these years I’ve known her and I had no idea. “Did it hurt? I mean, obviously it was devastating but the thread… does it hurt when it breaks?”

“Like hell. It still feels like there is a piece of me missing.” She looks down her nose at me. “Is that why you haven’t accepted the bond, child?”

“I’m scared,” I admit. “I never allowed myself the luxury of picturing a life with someone. Now there’s this perfect match here for me, and I can’t keep him.”

“Can’t you?”

I sit up. “Can I?”

She folds her hands over her stomach, her eyes bouncing back and forth between mine. “We will have to see what the universe has in store.”

When I get home, Sanders has found an extra pair of my glasses and is watching his hockey game from the couch.

“These things really work,” he says, tapping the lenses. He glances up at me and immediately stands. “You are upset.”

Not a question. He knows.