Free Moondance of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

compassionately than Magus’s and she smiled weakly at the brother whom she’d always preferred.
    ‘Do you remember what happened last night, Sylvie?’ asked Magus softly.
    She nodded slightly.
    ‘Tell me then.’
    ‘I was dancing up at Mooncliffe. And then …’
    ‘And then what?’ he prompted.
    ‘And then I went on the great round stone and I couldn’t move.’
    ‘And do you remember anything else?’
    She looked into his handsome face, glowing with vitality. It all came back to her.
    ‘You lay on the stone and you made me stay there. You knew it hurt but you wouldn’t help me.’
    She began to cry. She had no energy to sob, but tears spilled onto her cheeks. Magus frowned down at her.
    ‘For Goddess’ sake, man!’ said Clip, fishing a piece of cloth from his pocket. ‘Show some human kindness.’
    He leaned over and awkwardly dabbed at her tears.
    ‘It’s alright, Sylvie. It wasn’t Magus’ fault. He was frozen too, just like you were.’
    ‘No he wasn’t,’ she whispered. ‘I remember – he loved it. It was awful and I’ll never go up there again.’
    ‘You’ll do as you’re told!’ said Magus, his eyes glittering. ‘You’re making a fuss about nothing. Isn’t she, Clip?’
    ‘Well … she does look tired—’
    ‘Nonsense! Come on, Clip – remember how special that moon magic is? You know this is why she came here – you said so yourself!’ He glared at Sylvie, who shrank further into her pillows. ‘I’m telling you now, Sylvie, I won’t—’
    ‘Ssh, leave this to me,’ said Clip. ‘I think I can help her with this. There’s no need to bully her.’ He sat down on the narrow bed. ‘Sylvie, what you did last night was amazing. You’re such a clever girl and we’re so proud of you.’
    She closed her eyes, shutting them both out.
    ‘You’re a magical girl, Sylvie, but you must share your magic. It’s wrong to keep it all for yourself.’
    She opened her eyes and gazed at Clip, who was staring at her intently.
    ‘I don’t keep it for myself,’ she mumbled. ‘I give the magic to Stonewylde.’
    ‘And we’re Stonewylde,’ said Clip gently. ‘We need to share the magic too. That’s why you must dance at Mooncliffe for us.’
    She shook her head slightly and shut them out again. She couldn’t bear the pair of them staring down at her, overwhelming her with their intensity and urgency.
    ‘I won’t go up there again,’ she croaked, her face paler than ever. ‘It’s horrible and wrong and I won’t do it.’
    ‘Sylvie—’ began Magus, but his brother waved him to silence.
    ‘Open your eyes, Sylvie,’ Clip said softly. ‘Just look at me for a minute.’
    Reluctantly she gazed at him. His grey eyes shimmered before her, luminous and strange. She felt herself drawn to him, pulled in to his will. She tried to look away but found she couldn’t. He took her unresisting hands in his and she sensed his power, a gentle but insistent force that locked her into his command. She felt her free will melt away under his unrelenting eyes.
    ‘You love to dance at Mooncliffe,’ he said. ‘At the Moon Fullness, you love to dance at Mooncliffe.’
    ‘No,’ she moaned. ‘I want to be with Yul …’
    ‘Sylvie, you know you love to dance at Mooncliffe. Look at me, Sylvie. That’s better. We understand each other. You’re a special moongazy girl and you want so much to serve Magus. It’s why you were brought here and you know this in your heart. You love to dance at Mooncliffe.’
    Slowly she nodded, and Clip felt Magus twitch with barely controlled suspense. Ignoring this, he smiled kindly, holding the girl in his thrall.
    ‘You love to dance at Mooncliffe for Magus. You want to give him your magic on the great stone. Isn’t that right, Sylvie?’
    She nodded again, her face impassive. Clip sighed.
    ‘Good girl. We’re very pleased with you. This is the right thing and you know it. You’re going to rest now and you’ll feel much better when you’ve had a sleep.