Page 34 of Witch’s Ruin

The moment chairs began scraping, he was on his feet, eager to leave. Lord Holland exited with the king’s steward as he made for the door. He was nearly free of the king’s clutches when his father said, “Glad you saw fit to behave yourself today, boy.”

His shoulders tightened. He sighed, turned. The expression on his father’s face was one of suspicion, with narrowed eyes and a clenched jaw. He ignored that and said, “Father, I haven’t been a boy for a long while.”

“In my eyes, you’re a boy until you start acting like a man. You can begin by freeing yourself of that wretched witch. You have obligations here. Leave the Citadel to their own.”

His skin prickled with heat. A number of choice words filtered through his mind, but none could be spoken with Mina’s leash firmly in place. And yet, he couldn’t just turn and walk away.

“Tell me, Your Majesty, what could be more important than protecting the kingdom from demons?” he bit out, forced to keep his voice calm, pleasant.

“Nothing. Nothing is more important.” King Kozma’s thumb rubbed at the inside of his right palm, against the fabric of his black gloves, eyes momentarily distant.

Rixon snorted. “And yet, you sit in a fancy chair all day and make pronouncements.”

His father’s lips curled, gaze turning cold. When he next spoke, his voice was weighted. “You think that as a ruler, I do not protect my people? That as the ruler of this country, I do not make sacrifices daily?” The king’s hands dropped to his sides.

Rixon’s eyes snagged on the motion. He gave his head a subtle shake, as if to clear his thoughts. “I’m done having this conversation, Father.” Without being granted dismissal, he turned on his heel and strode from the council chamber.

He walked swiftly, fists clenched at his sides. Those he passed bowed, but he didn’t notice. How dare his father dictate his future?! The king acknowledged the importance of protecting the kingdom, and yet, believed Rixon’s time was better spent elsewhere. There was nothing more noble than the work he was doing, keeping people safe. He thought back over all he and Mina had accomplished together. A far cry more than his father, who sat on his golden throne, squabbling with nobles, issuing tax hikes, eating fine food, hosting parties, taking advice from his multitude of advisors.

Sacrifices?! What a farce!

By the time he reached his quarters, he felt the scowl on his face like an ache. Sighing, he took a deep breath then went inside. Mina sat on the couch, but she jumped to her feet when she saw him.

“You’re back.”

Something was wrong. He strode to her, taking her chin in his fingers, tilting her face toward the light. “What’s the matter? Why are you so pale?”

“I…I’m not pale. I’m fine. I just spent some time exploring the palace, that’s all.”

He hesitated, searching her eyes. “Someone give you trouble?”

“No. Just…” She pulled her chin free and rubbed her temple with the inside of her wrist. “I…”

His shoulders relaxed and he placed his hands on her arms, rubbing up and down, soothing. “Mina…since when do you keep secrets from me? I thought we were past that?”

Never mind that he’d been closed off these past few weeks.

“I…it’s nothing. Really. Just whatever is inside me. Sometimes it’s a lot.”

“Has something changed? Is it hurting you?”

“No. No, nothing like that. Really, it’s nothing. But…I’ll let you know if anything changes. I promise.” Despite the way she smoothed her expression, he saw remnants of fear in her eyes.

He inhaled, willing himself to drop it. She’d come to him when she was ready. He needed to give her the space she was giving him. Space to deal with whatever was troubling her.

Speaking of space…

“Shall we go and meet Jessin’s mother?”

The offer was another step towards acquainting her with his past. But like the other concessions he’d made, this was also shrouded in happy memories, making it easier to share.

“Oh, yes. I’d love that.”

He tilted her chin and kissed her sweetly. Her exhale tickled his skin, breath mingling with his. Then he led her from the palace.

* * *

Coralayne lived in a comfortable townhouse a few blocks from the palace. It had taken several inquiries to track her down, but they’d found her home easily enough. Rixon smiled when he caught sight of her in the small garden, hunched over, weeding.