The Burning Witch 3: A Humorous Romantic Fantasy

CHAPTER 8 HONORABLE MENTION

Kat stared at Eric, awareness sending tingles throughout her being as everyone stared around them.

“F-Fine.” She accepted his hand, making the prince smile more broadly and straighten.

The pair strode toward the brightly lit dance floor, but as they moved, they continued to cause more and more ripples of whispers around them.

“We’re really backing my da into a corner,” Kat muttered through clenched teeth as she pretended to smile and nod at some of the nobles she passed.

“What’s wrong with dancing?” Eric asked flippantly as he, too, acknowledged the other Troivackian nobles to his left.

Kat couldn’t think of a logical response, and by then they had reached the dance floor.

Gliding over to their place, Kat took a shuddering breath.

Even though she couldn’t see Likon, she knew he was watching her.

“Just keep your eyes on me,” Eric called softly to his wife as they walked, his good-natured expression fading.

Kat’s golden eyes met with his. “I don’t like being cruel.”

“You aren’t being cruel,” the prince argued adamantly. “Seriously, Kat. You aren’t doing this to be malicious, and he needs to start learning to take care of himself, like I said before. And you”—they had reached their spot, and Eric turned to her, bringing himself closer to Kat than the starting position required—“need to remember there is nothing wrong with dancing with your husband.”

Taking a moment to catch her breath again, Kat watched Eric shift back to give a small bow before the music began. Her eyes narrowed. “We’ve been married for a day, but you sure seem to like throwing around the words husband and wife any chance you get.”

The pickup note to the dance rang out, prompting Kat to curtsy, then gently grasp Eric’s palm. He guided her around himself in a circle, then after clapping twice, his right hand was on her waist and his left in her own hand as they started their slow spin around the floor.

“Is there something wrong with enjoying our new titles?”

“I just don’t want you abusing them.”

Eric raised an eyebrow, his face intent. “I told you before. I love you more than is reasonable. Are you starting to see that?”

Kat blushed and battled a smile while looking away from him as they spun.

It wasn’t until they were halfway through the dance that she could once again look at the prince.

“You must’ve been a wildly successful womanizer.”

Eric chuckled. “Really? We’re talking about my romantic past right now?”

Sighing irritably, Kat didn’t respond as they once again moved in perfect sync with each other through another spin.

“By the way, I forgot to tell you, but Sir Miller got a gift for Pina. He wants to speak with you tonight about giving it to her.”

Kat looked at Eric’s barely restrained smile curiously.

“I’m relatively certain he knit her a sweater. He has a matching one.”

Unable to help herself, Kat burst out laughing, though she didn’t miss a single step.

As the couple continued dancing, they gradually began to forget about their spectators, however, that didn’t change the fact that things were continuing to unfold around them.

Fin watched motionless as his daughter whirled around the floor, Eric’s gaze fixed on her, his face lightened with peace and contentment. He hadn’t seen such an expression on the prince in years …

Then there was Kat.

She was so obviously … happy. And together with Eric she looked …

“We have to make the announcement tonight, don’t we?” Fin asked Brendan Devark quietly.

The Troivackian king stood at the house witch’s side, equally as interested in watching the Daxarian prince and his wife.

“We don’t have to, but … it’ll be hard to stop rumors,” Brendan responded while his dark gaze roved over the sea of courtiers, who were all becoming a little too excitable with the prospect of gossip about Eric and Kat.

Anyone who watched the couple could see they loved each other, and there was an intimacy and knowingness about their way around each other that would easily spark a variety of assumptions; some not entirely inaccurate either.

While Fin’s hands were still in his pockets, they balled into fists.

“Annika’s going to kill me.”

Brendan looked to the duke in a rare show of sympathy. “Do I have your permission?”

Fin closed his eyes and let out a breath. “We don’t have a choice now, do we?”

The king cleared his throat in response.

Then the duke’s gaze slid over to Likon, who was almost hidden from sight as he pressed his shoulder into the crevice of one of the tall windows. Fin could see the agony and outrage in his eyes.

“Go tell Kat and Eric about the announcement, but don’t start until I return.”

The king looked quizzically at the house witch. “You’re leaving again?”

Fin didn’t spare the king another glance as he refused to look away from Likon. “I need a few words with our other family member.”

Following the duke’s line of sight, Brendan noticed Likon as well, and in an instant understood why the young man needed to be spoken to.

“Very well, but try to be quick.”

Nodding, Fin casually made his way over to the boy he had adopted fifteen years ago … When he reached him, despite standing a mere two feet away, Likon still hadn’t registered his presence.

“Care to go for a stroll?” the house witch invited, keeping his voice low.

Likon barely looked at him but pushed off from where he leaned and stalked toward the ballroom doors.

Fin followed behind, bracing himself for the conversation that was about to come.

Once the two men had made it out of the ballroom, Fin noticed that Likon wasn’t slowing down or stopping, making him have to jog to catch up.

Fortunately by the time he did so, no one else was around the cold, dimly lit corridor.

“Likon, I might look young, but give this old man a break, will you?” Fin requested more to lighten the mood.

While Likon didn’t respond, he did reduce the speed of his step.

“You knew?” he asked quietly.

“I found out earlier this afternoon,” Fin answered ambiguously.

“Do you approve?”

“Not particularly.”

“Then end it.” Likon faced the duke, fury and pain still rife in his voice.

“It’s already done, Likon. And it’s what she wants.” Fin’s voice was soft and apologetic.

Likon made an aggravated grunt and turned away.

“He’s going to hurt her,” Likon snapped angrily with his back still to Fin.

“He might, but it’s still her choice.”

Likon swung back around to look at the duke squarely, and Fin found himself become somewhat taken aback … There was an air about his wife’s protégé that put him on edge.

“Fin, how can you be so calm?”

“I wasn’t calm when I found out, and I’m still not entirely at ease, but I can’t force Kat to do anything. She is in charge of her own actions, just like I’m in charge of my own.” Fin reached out and placed a hand on Likon’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know how you’ve felt about her for a while.”

The younger man’s eyes momentarily rounded, but after overcoming the surprise of Fin’s observation, he shook off his hand.

“This isn’t about me, it’s about Kat making a horrible mistake.”

Fin stepped forward warily. “Right now, it is about you, Likon. As much as this is going to take time to get used to, there isn’t anything we can do but try to accept it right now and go from there. Maybe take a few days to tour around Vessa, hm? Just get a bit of space to cool your head.”

Likon didn’t say anything else, a disgruntled breath instead escaping his mouth as he proceeded to storm off down the hall, putting as much distance between himself and the ballroom as possible.

Finding himself alone in the hallway, Fin worried about the young man he had come to think of and love like another son. He stared after Likon, his heart aching for the poor little boy that had only ever wanted to be by Kat’s side …

Fin dropped his chin to his chest wearily.

Deciding that there wasn’t anything else he could do in that moment, the house witch slowly made his way back to the ballroom. He knew his night was only going to get more difficult … There was already a large number of older Troivackian nobles who were glaring daggers at him for looking so much like Aidan Helmer …

Once back in the bright splendor of the party, Fin’s eyes sought the king. He found Brendan Devark sitting in his throne beside his wife, and when the two locked gazes, the duke gave a firm nod.

Brendan looked to Alina, who gave a subtle smile, then he regarded Kat and Eric, who had placed themselves near the stairs of the throne with Lady Kezia nearby.

They were aware there was a chance that things could become a mite chaotic …

Standing from his seat, the king raised his hand, silencing the musicians and instantly drawing everyone’s eyes forward.

“My people, on this blessed solstice evening, I bid you glad tidings. May our hearths be warm and our homes safe.”

The nobility around him raised their cups and toasted with loud hos echoing around the room.

“It is with great honor that I deliver two pieces of joyous news.”

Everyone fell silent, eagerly awaiting the king’s announcement.

“By the early summer, the Devark family line is expected to continue!” Brendan’s hand became a fist he thrust into the air, his voice booming triumphantly, making the nobility shout, stomp their feet, and cheer.

Alina bowed her head regally to the loud calls of “Gratitude to our queen!”

Brendan allowed the excitement to continue swarming the room for a while, basking in his vassals’ exuberance for his future child.

However, once it had started to calm back down, he again gestured that he intended to speak.

Uncertain what could possibly compare to the exciting news of a future prince or princess, it was harder to settle his people’s celebration down, but when they eventually did, Brendan lowered his hand.

“It also just so happens that I have the honor of officially announcing on behalf of His Highness Prince Eric Reyes, that he has in fact wedded.”

It felt as though everyone in the room ceased to breathe.

No one could even look at Eric, as they were too stunned by the news to react.

“His Highness and …” Brendan had to take a quick breath in order to force his voice not to falter. “Lady Katarina Ashowan, daughter of His Grace Duke Finlay Ashowan, Viscount of House Jenoure, exchanged their vows earlier and are henceforth husband and wife. I ask that you all bow and show your well-wishes to the future king and queen of Daxaria.”

The silence remained, and the only development was the unnerving number of eyes that swiveled to Eric and Kat.

The couple were trying their best to remain stoic, but Kat could feel her face start to become twitchy.

Luckily, Lady Kezia and Lady Wynonna stepped forward and curtsied before them.

“Long live the future king and queen of Daxaria. Congratulations,” Lady Kezia called out loudly enough for everyone to hear.

When the two women rose and returned to their original places, the room at last exploded with another round of hos and apprehensive applause.

Though the din was quickly concluded, and in its place, a flood of conversations and exclamations filled the room.

Eric looked at Kat and offered her his arm.

The redhead noticed he had a faint tremor, but when she laid her hand on his sleeve, she found that she was also trembling.

The couple didn’t get another moment of peace for the rest of the night to reassure each other, however, as they were descended upon by every noble wanting to ask a thousand questions.

From his place on the opposite side of the room, Fin stood with his arms folded and his mood an enigma.

Well, Kat … I guess we’ll find out if you are ready to handle what you signed up for. Though this might pale compared to your mother’s reaction when we tell her.

Eyeing the nobility and their reactions, it was then Fin noticed the man who had trained Katarina standing nearby with his sons; Leader Gregory Faucher. The four men were watching the crowd grow around Katarina, their postures tense.

The house witch studied the family thoughtfully.

At least it seems you’ve made some friends to help you, Kitty Kat. Maybe I’ll try and get to know them a bit better.

Fin allowed a subtle smile on his face as he decided to lend a hand in dispersing the crowd from his daughter, and so he moved forward, sending several people scampering away from him. Even though he was only successful in breaking through the crowd because some of the nobles openly feared him, Fin didn’t find himself feeling too bothered.

He had a lunch menu in mind for the following day that he was rather confident could persuade just about every soul present that the house witch was absolutely nothing like his vile father who had once brought a shadow to their shores.