you and i both know this house is haunted; anhedonia / any

[magnus]

you and I both know that the house is haunted
and you and I both know that the ghost is me

One day, Magnus would be able to bring souls back to the Gates without having to retell the story of what the Chamber had done to them. One day, the giant scarred tree would finally heal and they would finally rid themselves of the very public reminder of the attack. Today was not that day. He does not begrudge her the question though, although his expression grows a touch sad, and he merely frowns in thought for a moment, letting a silence settle between them that is both heavy and thick—ripe with things unspoken.

“We were attacked,” he finally says, his husky voice soft and low. “A while ago, but the scars remain.” His gaze lifts to find hers,  and there are bruises in his eyes—hurts that stem from guilt for not protecting the land as it should have been protected. “I wish I could tell you it will never happen again, but the truth is there is war simmering, and it could very well happen here.” Silence falls again as he watches her, ears flicking back and forth in an old habit, his military upbringing restricting him from simply relaxing.

He takes a deep breath, shifting his gaze to the kingdom around them, his heart tightening in his chest as he considers it. “I promise you, I will protect you. We are building allies and our army is not as small as it once was.” Still too small, in his opinion, but he’d take one Gates man over one hundred Chamber soldiers. “The truth is that we could use your voice. It is a valuable gift, and the Gates has been built upon the sweat and tears of talented diplomats who used their voices well for its behalf. We need help recruiting, strengthening alliances, and being what we were meant to be: a haven for those who need it.”

Concern etches his features as he looks back toward her. “Would you like to find a place to rest?”

MAGNUS

once general. once lord. once king.