Page 12 of Witch’s Ruin

“All right,” he croaked, his throat dry. He hadn’t expected her to push him like this.

“Now, as much as I want to continue this,”—she wiggled her hips and his center tightened—“and perhaps let you bite me this time, really bite me, not just those love bites you like, we need to have dinner and meet your father, no?”

The heat inside him snuffed right out. She rose off his stiff cock and waded over to the soap dish at the edge of the bathing pool. Then she turned to him. “Come, Lord Wielder. I will wash you.”

What a cruel, cruel female. Still, he stood because he had no choice but to comply.

Chapter 5

Mina

We strode through the palace. I dared a glance at Rixon to find his jaw tight. He’d been in a mood, ever since our discussion about sex and pain. It embarrassed him—the desires he held close to his heart. I’d noticed that immediately. A surprise, certainly, since there was little capable of making him flush the way he had in the bath.

“You know where you’re going?”

“It’s not something easily forgotten, Lady Witch,” he said, words clipped. We approached a set of doors flanked by guards. Rixon stopped me with a hand on my shoulder, just out of earshot. “You are my lady witch. I will defer to you. You know this, yes?”

“Of course, Rixon.” I frowned at his sudden urgency. “I didn’t stop being your lady witch when we walked into the palace.”

His eyes darted between mine, but at last, he nodded.

I realized what he meant—why he’d stopped me. Despite acting like a prince, barking orders when it suited him, he was still my wielder, and that took precedence.

“And the thing inside you?” he asked “My father will bait me. Can you control it?”

“I…” My fingers twitched at my sides. I curled them into fists. I couldn’t let the king see what I’d become. Taking a confident breath, I gave a single nod. “I can—I will.”

“If you have any misgivings, any whatsoever, we can turn around, go back to my room. I can meet with him later.”

I pulled my shoulders tight until they ached. “No. We get this over with.”

He gave a single nod. “Very well. After you, Lady Witch.” He held out a hand, directing me forward. I set off at a confident pace.

“We’re here to see the king,” I said when we reached the door, Rixon standing slightly behind me.

The guards saluted, but their eyes were on Rixon. “Your Highness,” they said in unison.

Rixon ignored them. I cleared my throat. “Are you going to let us through, or shall I open the doors myself?”

Finally, finally, their gazes fell upon me. “The king requested his son, Prince Aleksander,” one of them dared.

“Well,” I said, glancing down to fuss with my sleeve, “I’m afraid we are a package deal. Shall we come back later?” They shifted, uneasy. “No? Fine. Open the door.”

A hesitant sigh and then, “Of course, Lady Witch.” The one on the right reached out and twisted the knob, stepping into the chamber, announcing our arrival. I didn’t bother waiting. Why should I? I swept in, walking past the guard and into the middle of the room, Rixon on my heels.

It reminded me of Rixon’s in terms of amenities, and yet, everything was twice as large, twice as extravagant. An entire apartment for a king. And standing near the window, looking down into the same garden beneath Rixon’s room, stood a man with his back to us.

King Maddox Kozma.

Even from this view, there was something about him, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Despite the dark thing living in me, it sent chills down my spine. He wasn’t…right.

“That will be all, Leo. Thank you,” said the king. His voice was deep, not so different from my wielder’s. The guard, Leo, backed out of the room, shutting the door behind him. I only discerned his retreat in the window’s reflection, just as I could see Rixon standing behind me. The king could, too. He watched us where he stood, back facing the room.

“You answered the Citadel’s request, I see.” His hands were clasped behind him.

“I would hardly call it a request.” My voice remained steady. I willed myself to remain calm. A test, one I’d failed the last time, facing his general.

King Maddox Kozma slowly turned to face us. I blinked, blinked again. It was like looking at an older version of Rixon. I had expected similarities, but, gods! It was eerie. There were differences, too. His hair was light, where Rixon’s was dark. And his body was lithe and toned, where Rixon’s was built and powerful.