Page 63 of Witch’s Ruin

Mina would be furious. What would he say to her? How would he face her?

He took a deep, steadying breath, getting his emotions under control. Then he squared his shoulders and left the room, not sparing a single glance for the attendants lining the walls, waiting to return to their display tables.

* * *

His father was tense at the dinner table, hand gripping his goblet. The table arrangement hadn’t changed. The Hollands sat across from him. Mina was on his left. He shot a glance in her direction, hating that she wouldn’t meet his gaze. She’d been furious when he’d returned to their room and broke the news. So furious, that she’d walked out without a single word. He hadn’t missed the way her eyes had blackened with rage.

He’d tried to follow after her, but she’d used the bond on him, keeping him trapped within the chamber like a child. He’d acted like one, losing his control with Trudy, stepping out of line.

Once Mina had returned, it was removed.

“I’m sorry,” was all he’d managed, but her silence didn’t break.

They’d gone down to dinner, the tension between them palpable. There’d been times of tension before, but never quite like this. He hated it—felt sick to his stomach. He should have discussed his rash decision before simply ending things with Trudy. Before risking their safety.

Now a million scenarios played out, each as awful as the next, about how his father would punish him. How he would lash out against Mina. How he would change the game.

Lord Holland’s eyes darted between Rixon and the king, as if waiting for the king to publicly scold his son. That didn’t happen. He almost wished it would. Almost wanted his father to make a scene so that he might lash out in some way.

Instead, the meal was hushed. Even the king’s guests felt the tension. Mina simply ignored him. He pushed food around on his plate but didn’t eat anything.

At last, when the dessert was cleared away, they retreated. The moment their door shut behind them, he spun towards her. “Talk to me, Lady Witch. Don’t freeze me out anymore.”

“Talk to you? And tell you what, precisely? Tell you how careless you’ve been? How your little stunt put both our lives in danger?!”

He swallowed.

Mina walked across the room, then spun back towards him, her expression wrathful. “I half expected the king to arrest me at dinner. Imagine what a scene! What would you have done then, hm? Fought off his guards? Harmed innocent people? Because that’s what it would have come to, Rixon.”

She huffed, shaking her head. “The thing inside me would have taken over. I would have fought them off with my magic. And then what?”

He turned cold. If it had happened that way, everyone would have discovered her secret. She’d have been forced to flee. Word sent to the Citadel. Witches hunting her, believing her a demon. The scenario terrified him.

Her chest rose and fell with agitation.

“I’m sorry,” he managed again, opening and closing his hands. “I lost control.”

“Yes, I’m aware. I should have been more creative with my leash,” she hissed. He flinched. Her eyes squeezed shut, and she managed to get control of herself. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said it that way.”

He exhaled. “I deserve it.”

“This decision you’ve made, Rixon, it will not go unpunished. The king will strike, and he will strike hard. I certainly hope that whatever happens, was worth your moment of weakness.”

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I did what I thought was right, Mina. I got tangled in the heat of the moment.”

“What was right?” she muttered, beginning to pace again. “What was right?”

“It wasn’t fair,” he clarified. “This ruse.”

She spun on her heel. “Oh, yes. Poor Trudy. Innocent Trudy. I bet she’s not as innocent as you think. Moreover, this is a dangerous game we’re playing, Rixon. You know that! Trudy Holland’s discomfort is not worth our lives.”

Rixon winced. “It won’t come to that, Lady Witch.”

She laughed. The sound of it sent chills down his spine. It wasn’t entirely her laugh, either. “Your life, perhaps, is safe. Mine is worthless. You’re the only one he needs.”

“Mina…” He took a step towards her, then hesitated as she threw out a hand to stop him. Not with magic, just with a gesture.

She closed her eyes and started muttering to herself. Something about how stupid she’d been, to believe this would be easy, to believe she could have bested his father.