Page 6 of Witch’s Heart

Chapter 3

Rixon

“The people of Raeria are suffering,” Lord Haspel ground out from across the council table. “With the deviation in military plans, I demand that we expend more resources toward the transport of much needed goods.”

“Easy for you to say,” General Ralson drawled, “when it will line your pockets.”

“Haspel has a point,” Rixon found himself saying. Gods, this was torture. “Things cannot continue as they have.”

“Aleksander, you cannot possibly⁠—”

“You will address me as Your Majesty.”

Ralson’s expression flickered to one of hatred—there and gone before anyone noticed—before he nodded. “Of course, forgive me. As I was saying, Your Majesty, our troops are needed at the borders.”

“Only because you instigated hostilities between our kingdom and Carth,” Haspel shot back.

“Me? I seem to recall everyone in this room in support of the king’s efforts not so long ago.”

Haspel huffed.

“Circumstances have changed, obviously,” Lord Holland cut in. “I second His Majesty on behalf of the people of Raeria. They’re starving in their strongholds. With limited ability to access farmland and fewer witches to protect them, they rely upon trade goods.”

Rixon blinked, half surprised Holland was coming to his aid. He had spurned the man’s daughter, after all. Perhaps he’d gotten over the matter.

His council continued to bicker and his mind wandered to Mina.

She had pretended to be asleep when he’d crawled into bed late last night. He’d played along, too afraid she might reject him. He took her into his arms and wrapped himself around her, holding her for the first time in weeks. She hadn’t pushed him away. He nearly wept from the relief of it.

Their bed had been empty when he woke. She’d left a note, having gone to King’s Mantle to meet with the other witches. Had she returned yet? He had half a mind to abandon this meeting and see.

“What you ask requires an increased need for Nebrine,” Ralston was saying. “Does this mean you are willing to increase your tithe?”

“I am already tithing more than the rest of you,” Holland snapped.

“The crown has funds,” Rixon found himself saying. “We would be willing to pay for any surplus.”

“What makes you think I have surplus?” Holland balked.

“Did you not say production was up by ten percent from last quarter?” Luka Kipani leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. He was aging, approaching his late sixties, with a massive overseas shipping empire that would pass to his oldest son upon his death. The entire coast of Raeria relied upon him for goods. It was what allowed the capital city of Corinna to thrive.

The door opened and a male stepped inside, one of the men he’d hired to keep an eye on things. He strode over, bending at the waist to whisper, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. Your lady witch is assembling in the courtyard with a party of travelers.” His voice was too quiet for the others. They continued their bickering unawares.

“You’re certain?” he whispered, shoulders straightening.

The male nodded, then departed.

He turned to the council and barked, “We’re done for the day.”

Their cries of protest went ignored as he stood and strode from the room. His father might have handled that more elegantly, but he didn’t much care for matters of formality, especially among the council. Everyone in that room was there because his father had put them there. The only reason he hadn’t removed them was because he needed them.

He’d been far removed from kingdom politics ever since fleeing the capital. Decades had passed. He hated to admit how much he relied upon their knowledge now as he fell back into the swing of things. Eventually, he would find others better suited, but there was no time for it now. Not this soon into his rule.

When he reached the palace courtyard, his stomach dropped. He hadn’t wanted to believe it but⁠—

“What is the meaning of this?!” His demand brought silence as everyone stopped what they were doing.

Mina was in the process of tying her things to Jarrow’s saddle when she froze. Anne and Elianna were with her, along with their wielders, preparing their horses. Ignoring them, he took Mina’s arm and dragged her away, shielding them within the nearest corridor. “Tell me you weren’t planning to leave without saying goodbye.”