Page 35 of Witch’s Heart

Rixon

Rixon handed Mina the letter after reading its contents. He watched as her eyes darkened, as the skin around her sockets sprouted with blackened veins that spread across her face. When she looked up at him, something darker peered out. “They cannot have me,” she hissed, her voice no longer that of his witch, but something otherworldly. “I will not allow them to break our bond.”

“And what of Skye’s other command?” He gathered his clothes for the day and began dressing.

“Need you ask?”

“I do not want a war between the crown and the Citadel. Our people need witches for their protection. If Skye pulls them from our settlements, our people will be well and truly helpless. Still, we have no other choice.”

“Not every witch will follow her orders. Not every witch will acknowledge her as queen.”

“Many will.” He slipped into his tunic. “Perhaps these new repellers from Carth will be more crucial than I imagined.”

“You’ve seen them?” Her head tilted to the side. Already, the darkness was receding. He’d grown so used to it now, that he often forgot what she grappled with.

“Yes.” He stepped into his pants and began lacing them with deft fingers. Mina’s eyes lowered, fixed on the motion. Her attention had him hardening again. He almost, almost undid the ties just so he could take her back to bed. But the thought of their earlier conversation came racing back and he squashed the notion. It needled him that she hadn’t immediately agreed to his proposal. Yes, it was fucked up that he wanted to chain her and suppress her magic so she couldn’t stop him. Wanted to own her mind, body, and soul. Wanted to possess her in a way no one ever could or would. Still, what had he expected? That she would throw herself at his feet with eagerness? He cleared his throat and said, “Weiss gave us a demonstration outside the city’s wards. The repellers work.”

She hummed with thoughtfulness. “Probably not as effective as I am.”

He finished dressing and walked over to her. She was still naked, standing in the middle of the room. “No, love. No one is as effective as you are. But unless you can clone yourself into multiples, to be placed at each settlement in the kingdom, it’s the best hope we have, especially if Skye recalls the Citadel’s witches.”

He cupped her face in his hands, looking her over. Gods, she was lovely. So lovely that it hurt to look at her. Sometimes he still couldn’t believe she was his.

But not completely—not yet.

Her face softened. “I never imagined it would come to this.”

He made a sound in the back of his throat, his mood souring. Neither had he. Yet, here they were.

“Get dressed. There are new gowns for you in the wardrobe. Put one on—the blue velvet with the silver trim—so I can hike it up around your waist later and take you against the wall. No undergarments. I don’t want anything in my way.”

“Oh?” She batted her lashes at him. “Is that a requirement now? You dictating what I wear?”

“Among other things, yes.” If he couldn’t possess her fully, he’d make do. “With how busy my day is, I’ll be lucky if I can steal a few minutes to lose myself in you.”

She hummed, walking over to the wardrobe. She eyed the gowns then turned to him. “And what if I’d rather wear the green?”

“You’ll wear the blue, Mina.” There was no room for argument. He waited, daring her to rebel.

“Fine.” A wicked smile pulled at her lips, and he wondered if she was thinking of ways to irritate him. Perhaps it had been a mistake to let slip just how bad his need for control was becoming. Would she use it against him?

A knock sounded.

“That will be Lola and Julian,” he said, blowing out a breath. “I’ll have the servants deliver food while you’re in the bath. I need to get going. If you wish to join me, I’ll be in the council chamber, or my father’s study. If I’m neither of those places, then I’ve probably jumped off the tallest tower and you’ll find my body splattered on the pavers.”

She snorted a laugh, tossing the gown on the bed before heading over to him, running her hands along his chest. His muscles jumped eagerly beneath her touch. “Why are Lola and Julian knocking on the door?”

His jaw tightened. “Mya thought it best.”

Her eyes narrowed. “There’s something you’re not telling me. What?”

“Someone sent an assassin for me. Woke up as he was sneaking in.”

Her eyes blackened in an instant. Her voice changed as she said, “And did you kill him—this assassin?”

“What do you think?”

“I’m not quite sure, which is why I asked.”