Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 4
Overview
Trystan is forced to confront Evie’s apparently dead body, arranged like a cruel display and marked by signs of strangulation. Benedict’s taunting provokes Trystan into a violent attack, but Trystan stops short of killing the king when the act reminds him of Evie’s suffering.
The chapter devastates Trystan’s sense of purpose: he sees Evie’s death as the consequence of his own choices and believes his bond with her has gone lifeless. A mysterious guard’s mouthed word, “hope,” introduces the only possible crack in Trystan’s despair.
Summary
Trystan enters the dim stone room and sees Evie Sage laid out on a white marble table, apparently dead. Her hair is arranged with flowers, her lips are still, and bruising in the shape of fingerprints marks her throat. The sight overwhelms Trystan because Evie’s usual restless life and voice are entirely absent.
King Benedict follows and claims he had hoped to spare Trystan the sight, then cruelly says Evie did not suffer much. Benedict’s remark breaks Trystan’s shock. Though Trystan’s magic remains suppressed by the cuffs, rage drives Trystan to attack Benedict and seize Benedict by the throat, knocking the king against the wall and sending the crown to the floor.
As Trystan strangles Benedict, Trystan suddenly imagines Evie terrified and choking. That image brings back enough conscience for Trystan to release Benedict before killing him. The guards pull Trystan away, but Trystan’s attention returns entirely to Evie.
Trystan kneels beside Evie and orders her to wake, first as her employer and then in a broken plea. When Trystan takes Evie’s icy hand, Trystan sees that her gold employment ring has faded and realizes the bond did not glow because there is no life left in Evie. Trystan kisses her knuckles, apologizes for failing her, and understands he will never hear her voice, laughter, or candor again.
Trystan blames himself for making Evie a target by hiring her and by becoming The Villain in the belief that purposeful destruction could prevent accidental ruin. Sir Seymore and multiple guards drag Trystan from Evie while Trystan fights until his weakened body gives out. As Trystan is taken back toward the cell, the familiar-eyed knight mouths what appears to be “hope,” confusing Trystan despite Trystan’s conviction that Evie is dead.
Who Appears
- Trystan MaverineThe Villain; sees Evie apparently dead, attacks Benedict, and breaks under grief and guilt.
- Evie SageTrystan’s assistant; appears dead on a marble table, with the employment bond faded.
- King BenedictCruelly presents Evie’s body to Trystan and provokes a near-fatal attack.
- Sir SeymoreGuard who helps restrain and drag Trystan away from Evie.
- Familiar-eyed knightValiant Guard who silently mouths “hope” as Trystan is removed.
- Valiant GuardsRoyal guards who restrain Trystan after his attack on Benedict.