The Burning Witch 3: A Humorous Romantic Fantasy

CHAPTER 53 AN UNBURDENED

Night had wrapped the castle in its embrace, and within its starry arms, a heavy, solemn mood rested as news of the queen’s miscarriage and the attack that caused it spread throughout the corridors.

There was much to do, but they were running out of time …

Brendan Devark had returned to his chamber after gathering himself, but learned from the physician that his wife insisted he didn’t need to stay with her and should instead see to the preparations for the coming battle.

Katarina and Eric stared at the king, who nodded sternly at the news through the crack of his chamber door, then he turned to stare at his brother- and sister-in-law. Rebecca Devark had already taken her leave to see about ordering a hearty broth for the queen from the kitchens.

“Your Highness, Faucher is already seeing to last-minute preparations. Most have left for their posts around Vessa with a unit remaining here. I trust Faucher to lead the men in the north where the rebels are predicted to arrive from. I will be with Faucher unless there is a sighting in the west facing the desert with the intention of flanking Faucher’s men once the fighting begins. Dante Faucher will be leading the east, and I have tasked Sir Cleophus Miller with leading the men in the south, though should the rebels break through the walls of Vessa, Sir Miller will return to the castle,” Brendan explained in his usual gruff tones.

Eric stood as the king spoke, his saddened face hardening to one of dutiful resolve.

“I understand. Who will be tasked with managing the unit left to guard the castle?”

“Duke Siata—you’ve met the man. Though you may not have spoken at length, as he is a quiet—”

“I know him,” Eric interrupted while nodding in understanding. “He is quiet, but intelligent. However, I never could discern his relationship with Duke Icarus.”

Brendan drew his shoulders straight as his mind slipped back into the all-consuming ways of war.

“While I suspect he did succumb to some pressures from Duke Sebastian Icarus, I do not believe him a traitor. I ask that you assist him and keep an eye on him.”

Eric bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Brendan jerked his chin down in thanks, then looked at Kat …

She was staring dazedly at the closed chamber door.

Brendan’s stomach lurched sickeningly, his anger and pain over events outside of his control surging forward once more.

“Lady Katarina, I believe you will be fine to see the queen. I also ask that you stay by her side during the coming battle. I understand you are injured and, therefore, your options for combat are limited, but I still trust that you will do all you can to keep Her Majesty safe. I will summon the inner council as you requested to see if we can regain some of your power.”

Kat turned to the king, her troubled countenance remaining for a breath before her golden eyes drifted down to the floor. Then in the next moment, she lifted her chin with determination. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Brendan lowered his eyes in thanks, then stalked back down the corridor.

Kat turned to Eric, and the two of them shared a long, heartfelt look whereby they understood each other perfectly.

Things were grim, but they were going to fight until the end no matter what.

Eric gently pulled Kat toward himself and planted a kiss on her forehead before saying, “Tell Alina I love her and am here if she needs anything.”

“I will. Keep Duke Siata in check.”

Eric grimaced. “He had better not be a traitor. I think we’ve all experienced enough betrayal these last few days to last a lifetime.”

“Agreed.” Kat let out a huff of annoyance. “The only bright side I’m seeing is that the first witch hinted that I’m finished being stabbed.”

“That would be nice,” Eric remarked idly.

Kat gave his shoulder an affectionate shove. “See you.”

He gave her an equally small push back. “No more injuries?”

“That’s the plan.”

Eric bobbed his head in satisfaction, and then the two turned to tackle their set tasks.

With her heart leaping to her throat, Kat reached for the door handle to Alina’s chamber while distantly hearing her husband ordering the guards at the end of the hall to take their posts back in front of the queen’s chamber. With Brendan and Eric no longer there, the guards’ services were required again.

Kat stepped into the room and first saw the physician with his sleeves rolled up, scrubbing off his arms in front of the fire using a white washbasin. His dour expression was indicative of the tragedy that had just taken place.

The redhead barely resisted wrinkling her nose at the smell of the room … The metallic scent of blood, sweat, and unidentifiable others told the unfortunate story of what had just taken place.

Closing the door behind her, Kat took the extra moment with her back turned toward the bed to school her expression before facing Alina.

Once she had accomplished this, she faced the Troivackian queen, and discovered Alina looked sickly, with dark stress lines under her eyes. She kept her gaze lowered while Annika Ashowan finished braiding her hair as she sat in a clean white night shift.

Kat cleared her throat, not trusting herself to give a proper greeting.

When Alina’s eyes lifted, she stared at the wall across from her rather than at her friend, her face hardening.

“Did Brendan go check on the knights?” she asked, her voice rasping as she spoke. The hoarse state of her throat revealing she had spent a great deal of time shouting and crying throughout the night.

“He did. Most of the knights are already marching to the borders of Vessa, and Duke Siata will be directing the unit in the castle. Eric will stay behind to help,” Kat repeated stiffly as the physician finished packing up his tools, then picked up a box covered in a white sheet … Kat pointedly ignored that last part as well as the bloody towels in a pile by the fire.

“Duke Siata? He couldn’t command the most obedient dog in the world. His Majesty is probably trusting Eric to take care of things.”

Kat nervously shuffled a little closer to the bed as the physician closed the door behind him.

“You’ve been stitched up? You’re alright?” Alina continued, her head turning toward Kat but her eyes not yet fully finding her friend.

“Oh, I’m fine. Still a bit weak from the drugging, but I have a tentative idea about how to get back some power.”

“I’m glad to hear you’re safe.” Alina met Kat’s gaze at last, and the redhead almost flinched.

The crushing despair in Alina’s eyes … The sadness that ripped through her. Kat could feel echoes of the trauma from Alina’s look alone …

It was hard, but Kat somehow managed to swallow and speak again just as her mother finished braiding the queen’s hair.

“I’m sorry, Alina.”

The queen’s eyes fluttered, and she moved her attention back to the wall. “It wasn’t meant to be. Besides, at least I can help with preparations without worrying anymore.” She glanced over her shoulder in thanks at Annika, who gave a subtle, warm smile.

Kat fidgeted. “You can rest. I’m sure we all can handle—”

“The children of the Gods are making us their pawns, and your father is unconscious. The coven refuses to help us because of how they’ve been treated. It’s too late to summon help from Daxaria or the Coven of Wittica. This is not the time to wallow in grieving.” Alina pushed herself off the side of her bed and stood.

Kat braced herself to run to Alina’s side in the event that she collapsed, but she didn’t.

“Lady Annika, do you happen to have a spare pair of trousers I may borrow?”

The duchess curtsied gracefully. “I do, Your Majesty.”

“Good, please fetch those for me.”

Annika rose without another word and left to retrieve the clothing, though she looked at her daughter with a raised eyebrow and softness that Kat interpreted to mean that it was alright … that it wasn’t a bad thing that Alina was making such a request.

When the door had closed behind the duchess, Kat allowed her shoulders to sag fractionally. “Gods, Alina, are you sure—”

“They made me lose my child. I am not going to lie down and do nothing when the devil and first witch threaten my citizens as well. If I can survive what I just went through? I can survive them.”

Kat didn’t respond straight away. She was too taken aback. Beneath her friend’s intense mournful suffering, rage burned, and there was a steeliness to it that gave Kat the distinct impression that Alina had made up her mind. But more than that, she had had enough of being beaten down.

The redhead crossed her arm over her middle and bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Kat?”

The redhead righted herself and met the queen’s stare to find a rather startling shift in emotion.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

Alina’s eyes drifted away before she took in a deep, trembling breath and let it out again.

“Thank you. Thank you for being my friend. For … For working so hard for me. For protecting me. I’m sorry if I haven’t been as appreciative of you as you deserve. I have needed you … Your strength, your terrible humor … All of you. You’ve always given me everything you can, and I see that now. I wasn’t as respectful as I should have been to your boundaries or to your struggles with opening up, and I’m sorry. You’ve been there for me from day one, and I … I don’t think I can honestly say I’ve done the same for you. I’m sorry.”

Kat blushed scarlet. “Good Gods, what in the world—”

“No, no. Please don’t say anything.” Alina waved off her words. “I have been able to count on you and your mother more than some of my own flesh and blood. I don’t know how to be a good friend to someone as amazing as you, so thank you again … Thank you for being patient.”

Opening and closing her mouth, Kat wasn’t certain if she was allowed to speak yet, so she raised her hand like a student in lessons.

Alina couldn’t help but give a smile. “Yes?”

“Can I ask what prompted this wildly … kind … speech?”

Amazingly, the queen’s smile remained as she dropped her eyes to the floor in thought. “I guess … while I was going through the absolute hell of passing the child … I realized if everything burned down around me, you’d be there. Brendan will have to tend to the kingdom as he should and I want him to, but you, no matter what, I know you will do your best to support me, and it dawned on me then that I have not properly thanked you.”

“Well, uh … thanks, and … you know I love you …”

“I know. I love you too.”

“Good, good …” Kat cleared her throat awkwardly, then reached up and rubbed the back of her neck. “Are you sure you’re able to move around?”

“The worst of it was a while ago. I’ve mostly just been monitored while crying and recovering the past little while. The physician says everything seemed alright for me to move around at least, though there will be some aftereffects. I’ve taken some pain relievers for now.”

Kat’s hands gripped periodically into fists.

“I … I’m going to be a little weaker than normal, but at least … erm …” Alina fumbled uncharacteristically, her voice turning to a croak. “I shouldn’t have … other issues with … another pregnancy … that the physician could see … Godsdamn, I swear … I’m done with crying.” The queen turned, her hands on her hips as she looked to the ceiling and blinked back tears. “Now’s not the time. Later. I can think about this later,” she breathed the words roughly to herself.

Kat felt her mind flounder for what to say to help, something to make her friend feel better …

“Would you like to see me piss off your inner council so that I can hopefully get back some of my magic?”

Alina let out a choked laugh that had her looking back at her friend’s desperate expression. Tears were falling down her face, but she did seem as though she were calming down again. “Gods, yes. Shall we go once I put on a pair of pants?”

Kat nodded while giving a tentative smile. “Of course. I think seeing you dressed as a man is going to help rile them up.”

Alina wiped the tears off her face while giving another chuckle.

“Can I hug you?” Kat asked as her chest ached.

“Of course,” Alina responded, her voice a mixture of happiness, relief, and sadness.

That was all the permission Kat needed as she swept over to her friend and wrapped her in a tight embrace.

“You’re amazing, you know that? Everything is going to be fine because you’re acting exactly how a queen should.” Kat knew she was babbling, but she couldn’t help it. Her emotions were overwhelming, and she wished she had some other means of offering even more strength to her friend.

“I don’t feel amazing right now, but … you’ll be beside me during this, right?”

“Of course. I’m here as long as you want me,” Kat reassured her friend.

“You’ll have to go back to Daxaria one day.”

“You’re sending me mixed signals.”

Alina laughed and hugged Kat tighter. While it felt like her world was falling apart, at the very least she had the brilliant warmth of Katarina Ashowan at her side. And with a woman like her? Well … even the children of the Gods should be nervous.

Which was a very good thing, as that was when one of the warning bells lining the gates of Vessa clanged through the night … making the two women pull apart and listen, wide-eyed.

“Oh Gods … The rebels … The first witch … They’re already here.” Alina rounded back to Kat, her previous fury burning bright in her eyes once more. “We better get you some of your magic back, and quickly. I don’t know if we’ll all survive without it.”