Page 16 of Witch’s Heart

“But…forgive my saying it but, I cannot allow you in here in such a contaminated state.” He blew out a breath. She seemed to sense his mood because she added, “Wait here for a moment.”

Nadia was an older woman in her mid-fifties, though she hid her age well. She was still rather beautiful, which meant that in her younger years, she must have been astonishing. Like all keepers, she had devoted her life to knowledge.

He’d known her when he was just a child, though not well. She’d helped him find many books. Had even fostered his love of mysteries, sharing some of her favorites when their paths crossed. Given that she was nearly twenty-five years his senior. It created a sense of companionship between them. He wouldn’t call her a friend, per se, but she was one of the few people in the capital he didn’t dislike.

“Here,” she said, reappearing with a damp cloth and bowl of water. He took the cloth and began scrubbing away the blood. She watched him for several moments, unabashedly taking in his bare torso before saying, “Would your lady witch approve of you marching around the palace on display like that?”

He huffed. The thought of Mina getting jealous over him…well, he liked it. He liked it a lot. But—“She’s not here. And anyway, it’s the middle of the night.”

“Right. Well. I’m guessing whatever happened with…” Nadia waved a hand at the disappearing blood on his skin. “Is what brought you in tonight.”

“It’s almost like you know me.”

“Indeed. What will it be then? Shall we continue our research?”

“Not tonight, I think.”

“A novel, then. Very well. I have a whole stack of them reserved for you. We’ve had a few new ones come in recently.”

“Good. I always trust your recommendations. I’ll take them all.”

At this, she offered a pleased grin, pulling a stack into view, like she’d had it waiting just beneath the counter for him all this time. It wasn’t as if he had much time for reading these days. That didn’t matter. It was an old habit, engrained. Readers were optimistic people. He always believed that he’d read more than he could. It’s why half the books she gave him remained stacked on his personal shelves in his apartment. He’d get to them…eventually.

Since he was the king now, he was pardoned from due dates and all that. If she needed one of the books returned, she knew where to find him. Perhaps that was one of the best perks of wearing his crown.

He looked at the titles she’d selected. “I think I’ll just take this one for now.”

He plucked one from the stack and walked over to an empty alcove, turning the lamp up until he had just enough light to read by. Then he collapsed onto his favorite chaise lounge and cracked the book open.

Chapter 6

Mina

I found the high witch in her private sitting room, preparing our tea service. She looked to be perhaps seventy, but was probably closer to a hundred and fifty. Witches aged slower, our wielders too, once bonded to us, but not nearly slow enough to be immortal. The oldest witch in history had lived to be nearly three hundred.

The only witch currently older than Fiona was Barisa.

“Aramina, thank you for coming.” She glanced up to add, “Do you take cream and sugar?”

“I do, thank you.” I made myself comfortable on the sofa across from her, careful not to fidget. My eyes darted around the space, taking it in. Besides the cozy sitting room, a small, cluttered study sat in the adjoining room. Several closed doors hinted at private chambers.

“You are recovered from your journey?”

“Yes, much.”

“Good.” She handed me a teacup and saucer. I took a sip and sighed. The black tea was full-bodied with just the right amount of sweetness. “Let’s talk about yesterday’s council meeting. I am sure you have questions—concerns. There was much I could not say aloud.”

“I thought so. Admittedly, I am relieved you summoned me today. They…they won’t really strip me of my bond, will they?”

She eyed me over the rim of her teacup before setting it down. “I am going to speak plainly. The situation in the Citadel is deteriorating. The current climate is tenuous, at best. I have done my best to maintain balance, but I fear we are at a tipping point. Your revelation has only worsened things. There are some witches who believe your bond to Rixon—who is now king—will make it harder for them to achieve their goal.”

I opened my mouth, but could think of nothing to say. Fiona must have sensed my confusion because she said, “A select group of witches firmly believes that the Citadel has an inherent right to rule over crown politics. With the demon situation being what it is, the rules of the crown become secondary when a person’s life is at stake. The crown does not have the power to protect its people as we witches do. Therefore, it should be the witches dictating Raeria’s laws and its people’s way of life.”

My blood chilled and I blinked. “You…you truly believe that?”

“Me? Gods no, child. But I am afraid there are many here who do. Many who wish to insert themselves—by force, if needs must.”

“Witches have no idea how to rule a kingdom! We deal with demons. And…what does it matter? Whether or not a witch sits on the throne doesn’t change the matter at hand. There are not enough witches to protect our people, nor enough to cull the vast increase in demons we have witnessed.”