Page 61 of Witch’s Heart

We took our seats.

“Your Majesty!” Lord Holland’s booming voice lifted above the chatter as everyone else pulled out chairs. “Let me be the first to officially congratulate you. A toast to the happy couple.”

“Thank you, Lord Holland.”

People fell into their seats, quickly lifting flutes of bubbly that had already been filled. Rixon lifted his, then swiftly handed it off to his taste-tester. Everyone else, myself included, took sips.

Other toasts were made, until our glasses were empty. I breathed a relieved exhale as the first course was brought forth, a creamy mushroom soup. I looked up and caught sight of Trudy Holland glaring at me. Good. I hoped she was thoroughly irritated. Not that I had anything against her.

Well, I had a little against her. I simply didn’t like her—never had. Plus, she had protested the arrest of Weiss during court.

My eyes widened. I turned towards Rixon, only just remembering that the general had planned to question him today. “Did General Ralston have any luck with the Carthian ambassador?” I asked, my voice low as others chatted around us. Rixon’s eyes met mine and he gave a subtle shake of his head. I saw the disappointment in his expression and my hopes fell.

I’d give the general a few days with the male, then I would take matters into my own hands, just as I’d done before—though this time, I’d speak to Rixon about it first.

The rest of the meal dragged on. I hated the suspicious looks thrown my way. The occasional snatches of conversation.

“Her eyes looked just like a demon’s.”

“Did you see the way her face changed?”

“Is she possessed?”

“Never trusted witches.”

“Is the king under her spell?”

“How dare she show herself after that display!”

There was enough humanity left in me that I squirmed. Part of me wanted to jump to my feet, to let my frustration and anger take over. To let myself morph and say, “See? This is the monster you’re all so afraid of!” But along with my humanity came a host of other emotions: fear, shame, embarrassment. So I took the coward’s approach and feigned ignorance, plastering a neutral expression on my face.

When Rixon finally escorted me upstairs, I tugged him towards Lola’s chambers, knocking. There was a rustle, the sound of murmurs, and the door swung open. “Oh, Lady Witch. How was dinner?”

I took in the sight of Lola, her cheeks flushed, clothes disheveled. “I hope we weren’t interrupting?” I tried to sneak a look into her room but the door was only open a crack. If I had to guess, Julian was probably in there with her.

“No! Not interrupting at all. I suppose you’re here to inquire about earlier?”

“Yes. Anything?”

Lola blew out a breath. “We spoke to one of the barmaids. You’re not going to like it.”

“Tell me.”

“There was a fellow by the name of Darius Santos that frequented their tavern—he skipped town just this morning.”

My shoulders drooped. “You’re sure?”

Lola nodded. “Forgive me. I had hoped to deliver better news. If you’d like, we can go back tomorrow, see if she was just bluffing, or perhaps see if her information was wrong?”

I shared a glance with Rixon and he inclined his head. “I think that’s a good idea,” I decided. “In the meantime, we’ll keep asking around. Given what happened at court yesterday, he might be feeling on edge.”

“That’s what I think too,” she agreed. “Laying low, and all that.”

“Very well, thank you.”

“Of course.” She eyed me a moment longer, then said, “Have a pleasant evening.” The door clicked shut.

We returned to our chambers. Rixon closed the door and spun me around, eyes dark with promise as he growled, “Now, about this dress.”