Worth More Than Gold

William rode his horse to the stables as if he were escaping a burning building. He wanted to be as far away as possible from the witch and what he had done. Once inside, he jumped from his horse and landed on his feet. He didn't look back to see if the stable master grabbed the horse's reins before he exited and sprinted towards the castle. He bypassed everyone and made it to his chambers within minutes. 

He closed the heavy wooden doors behind him. He felt a relief he had no idea he needed to release. For a split second, he had thought he would not be able to accomplish his goal. It had looked bleak. Not now. 

The witch had told him exactly how to get the book to open. He needed his wife's blood. How would he obtain it? Her blood was worth more than gold. He would have to quickly devise a plan. Time was of the essence now.