Page 47 of Witch’s Ruin

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The riverside cafe had a covered patio, with tables blanketed in white cloth, accented by little vases with a single flower. It was quaint and adorable, and I loved it immediately. I sat across from Rixon, the river to my left. Everywhere I glanced, there was something to look at. Mostly, it was at the passing vessels, all different styles, some with sails furled, others, flat barges heavy with cargo. They bore different flags, and Rixon surprised me by knowing them all, naming far off kingdoms I’d never heard of, each time I asked.

Most of the tables were full. The din of conversation was loud enough to keep ours hidden. Rixon spent a good deal of time telling me—in painful detail—about the council meeting, to punish me, mostly. But I pretended to listen throughout the meal, until he finally gave up and fell silent.

It wasn’t as if I cared whether or not Lord Wallace had to pay import fees on wood. Or whether Lady Erwin needed to double the price of silk because one of her ships had been lost at sea. Rixon didn’t seem to care, either. So, who could guess he’d find so many words—most of them riddled with colorful uses of fuck, and fucking, and asshole—to describe the whole thing. If it helped rid him of his frustration, I didn’t mind.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair, trying to stretch my full belly. Gulls swooped near the river’s edge, trying to snatch up whatever little bits they could find. It was a peaceful way to pass the middle of the day.

“So, you’d like to do a bit more digging in the library before we resort to more drastic measures?” Rixon asked.

“Hmm…?” I brought my mind back to the matter. “I think so, yes. There must be scrolls outlining the city, maps, that sort of thing. I could ask one of the keepers, perhaps one of the younger ones who will be less suspicious. I’m new to the city, after all. Why shouldn’t I be curious to know my way around?”

“Because you have me to show you?”

“Oh, but you’re so busy with all your new duties. You can’t possibly be troubled.”

“Right. Of course. How could I forget?” He lifted an eyebrow.

“What are the keepers, anyway?” I asked. “I mean, are they really just using a fancier name for librarian?”

“I believe they are something more than that. Scholars, in a sense. Historians. There are thousands of books to keep track of, to preserve, and care for. But I suppose…I’ve always just assumed they were fancy librarians, yes. I never questioned it.”

“And now—?”

A server stepped over, clearing away our emptied plates, refiling our water glasses. Rixon waited, then said, “I do find it curious. But, who knows. Maybe they simply need to feel important.”

I snorted. He lifted a shoulder, the corner of his mouth twitching. “I have another idea, too,” I added.

“Oh?”

“When we go hunting tonight, I’d like to stay close to the docks.”

“You’re hoping a demon will come from the tunnels?” he asked. I bit my lower lip. “And if we must slay it?” he asked. “How do you propose we find our way out? We’re stuck with the same conundrum. Getting lost under the city. Not all those tunnels had grates.”

My eyes widened, the idea so simple we should have thought of it last night. “We can mark the walls, surely? That way we won’t need a map.”

“All right, then, no harm in giving it a try.”

We paid for our meal and returned to the palace, stopping off at the stables on our way in. Jarrow and Ferrah were happy to see us. I promised them both some exercise, soon, when we settled in.

The afternoon rushed by in a blink. A nap, followed by a rough bout of sex, where Rixon fucked me on my knees, clinging to the corner bed post. And then the tailor’s assistants were knocking on our door, delivering one of the gowns Marvin had completed after my initial fitting. I would never in a million years admit that I’d ruined the other.

Before I knew it, we were descending to the dining room, bracing ourselves for dinner with the king. It began far more smoothly than the last, for obvious reasons. I was just settling into my second course, when the king addressed me.

“I hear, Lady Witch, that you arrived in my city on the back of an Akeron.”

I lifted my chin, hiding my surprise. “You heard correctly, Your Majesty.” Those in our immediate vicinity paused their conversations to listen. I casually lifted my fork, taking another bite of my salad. Beside me, Rixon was tense.

“I didn’t realize the Citadel had such a fine stock of horses to lend.”

“They don’t.” At this, the king’s brow arched. I wasn’t sure why he was being conversational. A show, perhaps? Or maybe he was genuinely curious. But with so many ears, I didn’t wish to stir things up. “Jarrow is mine. I brought him with me to the Citadel.”

“Akerons are fine horses. Got a few myself,” he added. “But when I heard the rumors, I was curious. So I decided to see for myself.”

Beneath the table, my hand clenched. I hated the idea of him looking at my horse. Would he go so far as to harm him? No, probably not. Not unless he knew what Jarrow meant to me. And even then, it was unlikely. He was more likely to steal Jarrow than harm him.

“And?” I smoothed my voice, sounding merely curious.