Page 51 of Witch’s Heart

“I am flattered you believe me powerful enough to start a war.”

“You gave them a reason⁠—”

“Enough!” Rixon roared. “Enough.”

Both Mina and Ralston stared daggers at each other, breathing harder than necessary.

“None of this is her doing. You already feared an attack in retaliation from Carth. If the witches are assisting them, we have bigger problems. Let’s address the matter at hand, rather than place blame where it doesn’t belong.”

Ralston straightened, adjusting the lapels of his military coat. “Yes. Fine. We await you at your earliest convenience in the council chamber, Your Majesty.” With that, he strode off.

Rixon lingered in the hallway a moment longer, before striding into his chambers. Mina closed the door behind them. Now that the general was gone, the news fully sank in.

“Perhaps it was Weiss all along.”

“What are you talking about?” He frowned at her.

“The assassination attempt. If Carth was planning this attack from the beginning, Weiss is here under false pretenses. He simply wants to weaken the kingdom to prepare for a Carth takeover.”

He blew out a breath, running a hand over his face. “Perhaps you are right.”

“Here, let me heal you. You can’t meet with your council looking like this.”

Some of the bruises already looked purple. He blew out a breath and gave a curt nod, straightening his shoulders. Mina’s hands on his body were like a balm. She fussed over each bruise, healing them until no evidence remained. When that was finished, she took his hand and led him to the bathing chamber. They slipped into the hot water together, their sighs of delight mingling.

“Last night⁠—”

“Don’t.” She shot him a glare.

“You don’t even know what I was going to say,” he huffed, lifting his brows.

“It’s probably something along the lines of you worrying that you overdid it, or frightened me, or hurt me.”

She was right. He grumbled, sinking lower into the hot water, letting it ease his tense muscles. He should have been more panicked about the news of Carth, but instead, his thoughts kept going back to Mina.

“I liked what we did, Rixon. I even liked that it made me angry when you ignored me, because it heightened my emotions. When I came, I came hard.”

He growled, pulling her onto his lap. “How hard, Lady Witch?”

“Hard enough to see stars. To pass out afterward.”

“Uh-huh. And I noticed you came on the first stroke, too.” Her eyes heated, pupils expanding. She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. He pulled it free with his thumb, running the pad over it. “Just like a good girl.”

“I love being your good little witch,” she breathed, inching closer until their lips brushed. Until they were sharing the same air. Then she kissed him, letting her tongue linger over his.

Chapter 18

Mina

The throne room was quiet as guards escorted Weiss forward. Courtiers stood huddled in groups, watching the scene unfold. I kept my place below the dais, in the shadows where I could watch everything unfold. Trudy Holland stood with her father and siblings, arm draped through another female courtier’s. Her expression flashed with concern. There were rumors that she was wooing the ambassador.

“What is the meaning of this?” Weiss cried, pulling himself free of the guards’ grip, massaging his arm afterward. I studied his body language, looking for any sign that he could be the one responsible for Rixon’s assassination attempt.

With Rixon’s go-ahead, I’d spent the better part of the day looking for leads on Darius Santos. Anne and Elianna had accompanied me. We’d gone from tavern to tavern, discreetly asking around. Every attempt left me empty-handed. But if Santos was merely a lap dog and the true culprit stood in this room, then that saved me a great deal of effort.

“The meaning?” Rixon leaned forward on his throne. “We received word that Carthian troops have invaded at the border. They’ve set up camp along the base of the Cardosa Gap.”

Gasps rang out.