Page 2 of Witch’s Heart

Ralston followed his gaze and grunted. “I see she’s moved on rather quickly. It was careless of you to dissolve your betrothal. We need her father’s mines. Speaking of…where is your beloved witch this evening?”

“The mines are in Raeria, hence, they belong to us regardless.” It was a convenient answer to ignore Ralston’s bait about Mina.

“A marriage with the Hollands would have increased the Nebrine tithe ten-fold. Or did you not look over your father’s contracts when you took up his crown.”

“Enough, General.” He felt the pulse of a headache building between his eyebrows. “I’m not interested in discussing this.”

“No? Then how about we discuss your rash decision to pull our forces from our invasion of Carth?”

He rounded on Kev, working to keep his anger in check. “I’ve spent the past two weeks repairing our relations with Carth. Even now, Reginald Weiss barely tolerates us. Let alone King Zakaria.”

“Weiss looks pretty tolerant from where I’m standing.”

Rixon’s eyes darted back over to Miss Holland just in time to see her place a hand on Weiss’s arm. She leaned in, whispering something, and the two of them disappeared onto the dance floor.

“Well, good,” he grunted. “Maybe she can help undo some of the damage you’ve caused.”

Ralston tsked. “Your father would be so disappointed.”

“Perfect. I hope he is rolling over in his grave. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He didn’t wait for a reply before striding away. Perhaps he could find another quiet place to lurk⁠—

“Your Majesty!” Lord Sandro Haspel’s deep voice rang out behind him. Fucking hell. “A moment, please!”

He blew out a breath, then spun on his heel. Mustering a pleasant voice he said, “Lord Haspel. Good to see you.”

Haspel bowed, then stood and straightened the lapels on his jacket. “Have you given any more thought to my proposition? Raeria’s citizens are relying on my merchants.”

“I’m aware. Implementing a new program takes time.”

“What about the rumors of this new demon repellent, eh? Perhaps if they are true, I wouldn’t even need additional guards.”

“Mere rumors. But if not, I’ll be the first to invest⁠—”

“Oh! There you are!” came a breathless voice. Elliana appeared beside him, her wielder, Viktor, escorting her.

He inhaled. “Lady Witch. Lord Wielder.”

Haspel looked as if he wanted to protest at the interruption.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Elianna said, “but a grave matter requires your attention—immediately.”

“Right. Lord Haspel, we will speak at the next council meeting.” He strode off, Elianna and Viktor beside him.

“You could have intervened earlier,” he half-growled.

“Sorry, I got distracted.” Elianna shared a look with Viktor before blushing. The world quieted as they slipped out of the ballroom into an adjacent corridor. Elianna bit her lower lip with uncertainty. “I was hoping Mina would be here. Is she still unwell?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” That had been the only excuse he could think up. With the ability to heal, witches didn’t get physically ill, but they could suffer from ailments of the mind like anyone else. His father’s passing, all the stress it had placed upon him, had caused Mina enough discomfort that she’d shut herself away—or so the story went.

A nervous jitter had him slipping his hands into his pockets. If he didn’t free her soon, he’d need a better excuse. Something more long-term.

“That’s too bad.” Elianna gave him an arch look. “She’s not pregnant, is she? No, wait, that’s none of my business.”

“No.” But, damn, that might have worked well as an excuse. Better than admitting that his lady witch had some kind of demonic magic, making it impossible to free herself from a pair of Nebrine shackles and a Nebrine cell. He needed to keep searching.

Taking a step back he said, “Thanks for the rescue. Mina’s probably missing me. I’d better go check on her.”

Before they could reply, he spun on his heel and strode off through the palace. He reached his apartment, hesitating at the door. His hand hovered over the knob but…his chest pinched. He didn’t want to go inside. It still smelled like Mina, even weeks later. He didn’t want to be reminded of his failure to free her.