Page 38 of Witch’s Ruin

“Rixon,” I chided. But I liked him annoyed. This way, he’d be more fun when we returned to our room. In fact, perhaps I’d orchestrated the whole thing, just to get him on edge. “You are entirely too tense about this whole Trudy Holland matter,” I said, knowing that would only add to his ire. “Relax a little, will you? I have no intention of sharing you.”

I was poking a bear. I shouldn’t have, but it helped me sort my own feelings about it. If I made light of the matter, perhaps I could convince myself to be less angry over it.

Rixon scoffed, but said, “Yes, Lady Witch.”

We returned to the palace gates. Rixon called for the guard, who appeared a moment later, eyes widening at the sight of us. “For…forgive me, Your Highness, but I have orders that I am not to open the gate for anyone after curfew.”

“Great. We’re not anyone. Now, open this fucking gate,” Rixon growled, more colorfully this time. Even I was reluctant to ignore an order like that. It was the kind that, in the bedroom, I would have jumped to comply with. The guard knew who he was—had acknowledged it. Now, he merely took a few steps back, gulping. I noticed a couple other gate guards hovering in the shadows.

“Sorry…sorry, Your Highness.”

Rixon’s jaw flexed. “You let us in after curfew last night.”

“That…that was before. New orders came a few minutes ago.”

“Rix…” I squeezed his arm to get his attention. “If this order was given a few minutes ago, then it was given by the king for one specific reason.”

Rixon squeezed the bridge of his nose. The color of his anger rose to his cheeks. I felt my own, too, surging forward.

The king thought to keep us out. He had insisted we take dinner in the dining room each night. Instead, we’d spent ours with the witches.

Rixon reached the same conclusion. His expression turned thunderous. “Break it down, Lady Witch.”

My lips parted. “The…the gate?”

“The gate.”

I blinked. “You want me to forcefully break through your father’s gates?”

“As I said.” His shoulders drew back. He flexed his neck from side to side, gaze fixed on the guards.

I hesitated, but only for a moment. Deep inside, something woke up, something I tried so hard to ignore. It started to purr.

“As you wish, Your Highness,” I taunted, a malicious grin splitting my lips. Tunneling down into the well of my magic, I took stock of it. I’d accrued an immense amount, letting it build over the weeks. It was magnified by something else, too. I noticed it there, nestled beside the bright kernel of my soul, a pulsing reddish blip. It had belonged to a demon once, its magic…its soul.

I examined the two magics, something I’d done many times of late. They were twined together, nestled close, like lovers, all tangled limbs and soft caresses. I wasn’t sure I could ever break them apart.

I pulled a wisp of my magic free, magnified by the thing that fed it. Using my hand, I sent it surging for the gate. It struck, the sound of it reverberating through the air like a gong. The walls shuddered then grew still. The gates didn’t move, didn’t budge.

I frowned, taking a closer look. “Rixon, they’re made of Nebrine.”

“So?”

My breathing turned shallow. It was like a punch to the gut—my realization. “My magic won’t work on Nebrine. Not…not anymore.”

Still, I tried again, sending another powerful surge. The magic collided with the Nebrine bars, shaking the wall. The Nebrine soaked it up.

Several more guards appeared, drawn to the commotion.

The thing inside me surged. I pulled my hood firmly in place, hiding my face. The king tried to keep me out? Me? I would make him regret it.

My vision tunneled, honing in on the guards. They stood, eyes wide, hands resting on their sword hilts. Good, let them fear me. If they refused to open the gate, I would make them open it.

I sent my magic straight for them. A different hunger gnawed at my stomach. One eager for flesh—eager to devour. Pulse after pulse slammed against the bars, against the walls, trying to get through—

“Mina…” Rixon pressed his hand to the base of my spine, his touch sending a wave of calm through me.

I blinked. The clawing in my stomach disappeared. My vision cleared.