Soulsick

What happens when a child meets their soulmate on the very day of their birth?One would think that once the marks bloom, a match is made, but it is not always so. The strong will of a matchmaking mama can lead her to interfere with fate, to the detriment of a bonded pair; such is the story of Anne de Bourg and Colonel Fitzwilliam.*Anne’s tiny hand brushed Fitzwilliam’s upper arm as her father lifted her away from him.“What was that?” asked Fitzwilliam. Surely a baby’s touch should not make his skin burn.“What?” asked Sir Lewis, his tone betraying his anxiety.“The baby’s neck!” shouted five year old William de Bourg, pointing wide eyed.“What?!” cried Sir Lewis, fumbling with the child.“Good God!” cried Milton, “Is that natural?”“What boy, tell me what you mean?”“A flower,” said Fitzwilliam, his voice nearly hoarse, “’tis a flower, on her neck.”