Chapter 35: Chester or Chasel

The breath left my lungs. I'd never expected to see Chasel, period, much less in the castle. I could barely contain myself as I rushed up and hugged him tightly. He was here!

"Oh, Chasel, my love! Where have you been?" I was nearly squealing, pressing him to me. “What in Moon Goddess's name are you doing here?" My heart was racing. ”Not that I don’t want you here. I’m so glad you are!”

Instead of the affection I'd imagined, yearned for, and craved, I got nothing. No warm embrace or expression of pleasure. Instead, he pushed me away from him. His rejection felt like the cutting wind of a cold winter's day. Why was this happening?

All this time, I'd been pining, unable to stop thinking about him, and this was the last thing I expected. I couldn't wait for him to be a part of everything I'd done, but this wasn't the Chasel I knew. He stared at me with a slight squint of bewilderment, like he couldn’t see me. I was unable to reconcile what was happening.

"Who are you?" he as