It's the end of the month and as the day wears on, I can feel the magic of the full moon rising in me as the curse rears its head. No longer able to remain waiting hopefully by the window, I retreat to my music room, broken by the knowledge Gwen didn't return.

I am used to being alone. I have even found myself happier that way. But now? I long for her company. Just to know she is near. Ready to test me and tease me. She has no idea how much she already meant to me.

A month would never be enough for her to feel the depth of feeling that I already do. It was an impossible task. One that I'm not sure I can bear to face again. Not even for the people trapped as rats in my hidden room, or my half-beast staff who have been tiptoeing around me and whispering when they think I'm out of earshot.

They think the curse has finally driven me mad, and perhaps they're right. Or maybe it was love that did this to me?

I am fast realising I have never truly loved anything in all my life. For all the magic and money and power I had, I can now see it's all meaningless when you have no one to share it with.

Retrieving my precious and familiar pipe, I am able to lose myself in the music for a little while. I can almost forget who is about to arrive and the pain of another month of failing my people.

"Lyron! My lord. I mean, your majesty." Ama bursts into the room looking flustered. "She's here. She's really here."

I blink, instrument falling from my lips as I note the soft orange and red glow of the sun setting outside. It's too late. She is far too late.

Forcing myself to my feet, I follow Ama numbly to the courtyard in front of the house, just in time to see Gwen galloping through the inner gate.

Her hair streaming out behind her like a banner, looking glorious in the golden glow of the evening. I watch as her face splits into a smile as soon as she sees me.

The stones on the path fly up, but I barely notice them as her horse skidded to a halt before me, with a little whinny that said she is pleased to be home.

I hold her head as Gwen dismounts and we stand and stare at each other for a moment.

"You came back." I whisper with a broken smile.

"You doubted me?" Her cheeky voice hides what I already suspected. She wasn't sure she was going to come back either.

"I never will again," I assure her. "But I fear it is already far too late."

Her smile drops. "Too late for what?"

I bite back a groan of pain as the curse draws closer. "To discuss feelings, to do anything." I gasp.

She catches my arms as I fall to my knees; the pain twisting my insides and breaking me apart. "Feelings? What are you talking about? My lord? Lyron? What is happening? I don't understand!"

Her frightened expression hurts me far more than a curse ever could. "The month is already up. It's too late." I whisper.

I can see out of the corner of my eye the staff in the doorway. They know better than to come to me now.

A cry breaks free as the pain in my chest becomes almost unbearable and my body spasms in her grasp.

Reaching up for her panicked face, my fingers cup Gwen's cheek, committing every inch of them to memory. "Run. Please," I whisper. "I can't let you be caught up in this Gwen, run."