Page 16 of Witch’s Ruin

“All right.” He tried to hide his hesitance.

After a moment’s consideration, he took Mina’s hand and led her back the way they’d come, toward one of the merchant districts, Ivory Row, for its whitewashed buildings. As they walked, he recalled everything he knew about Corinna. Mina listened, humming with interest.

With more than fifty thousand residents and growing, the capital city was approximately three miles from one end to the other. On foot, it took more than an hour to traverse its span. Because it was situated on the river Runnel, dumping straight into the sea, it received a great deal of sea trade. This allowed it to prosper despite the near disappearance of land trade.

“And what about fresh water, things like that?” Mina asked.

He hesitated. “City wells, situated throughout in the poorer areas. The richer districts had pipes laid when the city was conceived. There are tributaries, sewage, et cetera.” At this, Mina frowned, then nodded. Her eyes were in constant motion, darting about, studying everything.

They walked further, dodging another pair of guards, hiding in the shadows of a nearby alley. Once they continued, Mina said, “What I find strange is that there are more attacks at night than during the day.”

“Yes, it is odd. The demons we’ve encountered have never shown an aversion to daylight.” She hummed. “If the witches are responsible—and I’m not saying they are—could they be summoning at night?” He hated to voice the concern, but…

A strangled laugh fell from her lips. “It would certainly explain things. I hardly know what to believe. We’re playing your father’s game, Rixon. He could be framing us. But that would mean he needs a witch of his own, loyal to him, to summon. It’s knowledge only council witches have… supposedly.” She inhaled before adding, “What if we’ve got it backwards?”

“What do you mean?”

“I never saw the council as aggressors. But…could it be that they are trying to start a war with the king?” She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, brows drawn. “Too much of it doesn’t add up.”

He grunted. Too much, indeed. It hurt his head even considering the politics of it.

His eyes swept the street and he caught a familiar sight. “Here,” he said, pulling her to a stop. It was a tailor’s shop. Downing’s was written on the large sign above the door. “I used to have garments made by Marvin Downing. Not right here—he would come to the palace with his assistants. But…this is his shop.”

He’d always liked the male. It was something of his childhood that hadn’t been tarnished by his father. Just like his time in the stables with the stable master.

Mina’s gaze swept over the shop.

There were mannequins in the window wearing all manner of designs. Even in the dim light, the gowns and doublets boasted a fine make. Nothing that would survive a witch and wielder’s lifestyle in the wilderness.

Mina lifted a hand, trailing a fingertip down the glass. “They’re…beautiful.” Her words came out breathy. He found his eyes pinned on her face. Her throat bobbed. “When…when I was a girl, there were dances held in my town. We’d get dressed up. It was always a riot. So much fun. It wasn’t until I was older, just before...everything…that I started caring about boys.”

He snorted. Mostly to hide the sudden burning in his chest. It was completely unfounded, of course. The thought of her, even as a young girl, wanting to attract the attention of anyone but him, rankled.

“What?” she teased, poking his side. “It wasn’t as if I chased any of them. They were always quick to look at my sister before me. She was the beauty.”

What he didn’t say was that he disagreed. He’d seen her sketches, crafted with expert care. Mina would always be the most beautiful thing to him.

“But…” Mina continued. “Well, I secretly harbored a desire to be noticed. I remember…it was the last dance before I lost my family—a big one. I forget why. There was a boy who’d smiled at me in town. When it came time, I begged Mama for a new gown. Gods, I acted so childish, until she finally relented. She had the dressmaker in town make alterations to a premade I’d seen in a fancy window just like this one, just so I’d have it in time. A beautiful, pale pink number, with dark maroon embroidery along the hem.” Her face took on a far away look. An urge to see her in it crawled across his skin. “Anyway, I thought it was the most exquisite thing. I wasn’t one for gowns, you know?” She turned, arching an eyebrow.

“No!” He feigned surprise. “I never would have guessed. Here I thought you were managing horses all day with frilly skirts and corsets.”

“Oh, stop.” She swatted his chest with the back of her hand. “Just because I enjoyed getting mussed up with the horses, didn’t mean I didn’t equally enjoy getting prettied up every once in a while.”

He grinned. “Never said it didn’t.”

She fell silent, turning to look at the window again. “That gown didn’t hold a candle to these. I’ve never seen anything quite so beautiful.”

“Why don’t we stop here tomorrow and have you fitted?”

A flash of longing crossed her features, lips parting, and suddenly, he wanted more than anything to buy her every damned gown in the shop. He pulled her against him, bringing their lips together. The wet warmth of her mouth, the softness of her lips, sent his mind sputtering. He flicked his tongue out and—

She stiffened.

He snorted. “Not interested in my kiss, Lady Witch?”

“Quiet,” she hissed, eyes going immediately black. And he knew—knew exactly what she was about to say. “Follow me.”

She took off at a sprint. He kept close on her heels, letting her lead. She was tracking darkness through the city. Here he’d hoped they might not be so lucky tonight.