Page 20 of Witch’s Heart

“They’d have to breach the walls, first,” said Lord Holland. “I think it unlikely.”

“Thank you,” he found himself saying. Holland had been surprisingly compliant, thank the gods. Unlike Ralston, who’d been a constant thorn in his side, warning repeatedly about impending invasions from Carth.

“Why would Carth attack when they’re trying to sell us these new Nebrine repellers they’ve fabricated?” Lord Kipani crossed his arms, eyeing the general. Luka Kipani was a rich male, with the largest shipping fleet in the kingdom, perhaps even the world. He kept the great city of Corinna afloat, bringing goods from across the sea and beyond.

“Because it’s probably a distraction to lure us into a false sense of complacency,” Ralston growled.

“Enough.” He leaned forward, snatching the rumpled missive. “I will speak with Weiss. Otherwise, we’re done for today.”

He didn’t wait for their answers as he rose and strode from the room.

He found Mya waiting for him outside his chambers, Lola and Julian with her. He pinched the bridge of his nose, inhaling. He’d forgotten about her note, that she’d arranged to meet with him. Fucking hell. Did it never end? Would he never get a moment of peace.

He strode past them, nodding a greeting at his new guards before opening the door. “You may enter,” he said, inviting them in. He went straight for the liquor cabinet, pouring two fingers of whiskey. It was barely midday and he already needed a drink. Then he joined them in the sitting area, tossing the drink back and enjoying the way it burned.

“Tea service, Your Majesty?” one of his servants asked.

“Yes, be quick about it.” He didn’t want this meeting to last any longer than necessary. He had never liked witches. A lot of it had to do with how they treated their wielders, though, Mya’s bunch seemed cut from a different cloth.

Then again, Mina would say he didn’t like anyone in general.

He almost huffed at the thought, schooling his expression. “To what do I owe the pleasure? As you know, my lady witch has gone to the Citadel.”

“You’ve had an assassination attempt on your life,” said Mya, folding her hands. “With your lady witch gone, you are in danger. She can’t heal you if you sustain life-threatening wounds that do not allow you to reach a healer in time.”

“I don’t intend on sustaining any wounds, Lady Witch.”

“As if such a thing could be planned!”

“Is that why you’re here then? You’ve brought bodyguards?” He looked at Lola and Julian. He didn’t know much about either of them, just that Lola was of a quieter sort. She was skinny, almost frail looking, with light brown hair. If he didn’t already know she had magic, he’d laugh at the idea of someone like her protecting him.

“Your lady witch would never forgive me if something happened, something that might be avoided.”

“I plan to be careful,” he said, annoyed by the implication that he couldn’t take care of himself.

“Oh, and when you take a drink of your whiskey and find it laced with poison? Laced with something that incapacitates or even kills you? What then? How will you save yourself from that?”

“Fine. Point taken. I’ll get a taste tester.”

“Even with one, there are poisons that take longer to act. Besides that, assassins don’t simply move in the shadows. You could be targeted from afar. One arrow straight through the eye. A building that comes down around you. There are many ways to kill a king, Your Majesty.”

He studied her. “You seem to know a lot about killing kings.”

She huffed. “I’m too old to be offended by your insinuation.”

“Well, if you were someone I couldn’t trust, what’s to stop you from planting two assassins right under my nose,”—he motioned to Lola and Julian—“with the false pretense that I can trust them?”

“It would be rather strategic, yes.” Mya’s eyes gleamed as she leaned back. “Though I’m not sure Lola could kill even a fly. No offense, dear.”

“I certainly could.”

Rixon almost started at the sound of Julian’s voice. “Didn’t realize you could talk.”

“Don’t usually have much to say.” Julian was dressed in the usual wielder attire. Pants and a tunic, armed to the teeth with blades.

Rixon lifted his brows. “I can relate.”

“So, you’ll take them, then?” Mya leaned back to regard him.