The Burning Witch 3: A Humorous Romantic Fantasy

EPILOGUE 1 TROIVACK’S TURNAROUND

Likon stared out of his new chamber window, feeling the warming breeze on his face and letting out a sigh of relief.

It had been a chaotic few months as he had frantically searched for his nephew. Though while many thought it was because it would clear his debt and charges against himself, it was because the uncle was incredibly worried for the lad. His sister Dena’s eldest son had been selected as the crown prince’s assistant for three reasons back when it had been decided Eric would be going to Troivack.

First, Thomas was incredibly bright and capable. He had impressed all his tutors and showed a real interest in administrative work. Though he had dreams of being a knight like his father, when he failed his squire’s test, that option for his future dimmed.

The second, there weren’t many qualified people the king could trust available for hire at the last minute, which led to the third reason …

Likon had vouched for his nephew to Annika Ashowan.

Shame, pain, and hurt broiled in Likon’s gut when he had found out that Thomas had been doing more than simply keeping tabs on the prince’s self-indulgent and self-destructive propensities.

He felt as though he had failed and hurt the Ashowans … The family that had taken him in and introduced Dena to a knight who instantly fell in love with and married her despite her time at Madam Nonata’s brothel. Her husband, Sir Kenneth Julian, provided her with a good, comfortable life and gave her four beautiful children.

Likon dropped his head as his mind roved over such thoughts for the thousandth time …

Even though both Annika and Fin had adamantly insisted there could still be a reason the young man had done what he had, Likon couldn’t hold on to any hope. Particularly, as all the letter from his nephew had said was:

Uncle Likon,

I’m sorry for what I’ve done … Thank you for everything. Please send my love to my mother and siblings, and maybe one day I’ll see all you again.

Love,

Tommy

Likon pinched the bridge of his nose and did his best to force thoughts of his nephew aside. Though he knew in the darkest moments of the nights ahead he would be helpless against pondering the unanswered questions … What did the first witch offer innocent Tommy that would make him turn his back on his family, whom he loved? Was he threatened into it? Were Dena and the rest of the family in danger?

A knock on his chamber door snapped Likon from his spiraling thoughts.

“Come in,” he called. At first his heart leapt in excitement, thinking it was Kat coming to visit him, until he was reminded that Kat was probably already in Daxaria …

The door opened, and in stepped Eli.

The Zinferan boy, who had enough secrets that he could compete with Tamlin Ashowan.

Only the Troivackian king, Daxarian prince, and Finlay Ashowan knew some of the more intimate details about him, but even then, it allegedly wasn’t much …

“His Majesty says that he’s decided not to hold a council meeting tonight after all, so you’re free to rest.”

Likon nodded at the top of Eli’s bowed head.

“Thank you. How’re you settling in?”

The young man straightened, but as usual kept his eyes downcast and his hands clasped in front of himself.

“Fine, sir. I—”

“I’m not ‘sir,’ nor am I ‘lord,’ or even ‘mister.’ Just call me Likon. You and I probably come from a similar background.” Likon turned from the window.

Eli didn’t say anything in response.

“Look, I know you wanted to go to Daxaria, but it’ll be a little while before matters of Duke Icarus’s estate are settled. In the meantime the Ashowans are going to make sure you can join their coven and kingdom as soon as possible. But until then, let’s work well together, alright?”

The young man merely inclined his torso in response.

Likon dropped his head to his chest. “Right. Come on. Let’s grab dinner.”

“As you please … Likon.”

At least this small win made Likon smile.

He would wear the lad down eventually through subtle kindness and trying to present himself as an older brother figure.

The king and Daxarian prince had arranged it so that Eli would be able to work and make some kind of income while the matters of the deceased duke settled, though he was not permitted to travel around Vessa freely, and so Likon had been placed as his supervisor …

And the only reason Likon had even been afforded the temporary position of the king’s assistant? Well, that was because he not only had the education for the role after serving the Ashowan household, but he also happened to have a number of joint investments in the Troivackian brothels, which Brendan Devark had wisely seen as an opportunity to leverage himself into the information veins.

Compared to being imprisoned? It was a charitable deal, though Likon knew that especially in the wake of Mr. Levin’s betrayal, he would not be afforded much flexibility or trust … But, the king and queen would take him when they’d visit Daxaria, so he would at least be able to visit his family.

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Likon asked Eli over his shoulder as the two descended the castle stairwell.

“Stepsiblings. We aren’t close.”

Likon nodded along, feigning disinterest.

“Do you have any friends you used to sail with who wound up in Daxaria?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“Ah … It smells like we’re having pheasant tonight.”

“Yes. Pheasant, roast vegetables, and I believe there is grilled salmon as well.”

“As a Zinferan, you must like seafood a great deal.”

“I enjoy it time to time.”

Likon conceded defeat on trying to get the young man to open up for the time being as he and Eli touched down on the main floor of the castle, only to have to come to an abrupt halt as four dogs happily trotted around the corner.

“Nickel, you need to stop stealing your sister’s food, you know she’s too lazy to—” Lady Dana rounded the corner while speaking in a chiding tone to one of the dogs that padded along at her side.

“Ah, pardon us, Lady Dana.” Likon bowed.

The young lady blushed scarlet and jolted when she realized she was not alone. “Ah … N-No, it’s alright. I thought everyone was already in the dining hall.”

Likon smiled reassuringly before kneeling in front of her dogs and holding out a curled hand to let them smell him.

“Have you spent much time with dogs?” Dana wondered curiously as she watched the deft way the Daxarian man handled her beasties.

“I have indeed. My brother-in-law always has two hounds at home, and I’ve spent a month every year with them for the past fifteen or so years. They’re brilliant animals. Much smarter than many people give them credit, and they’re better behaved than even some knights,” Likon mused while getting a surprise cheek lick from a brown-eyed pup with caramel-colored fur.

Dana perked up excitedly. Which Likon did not see, but Eli did.

“W-Well, I … I better go check on my other dog … Pork Chop … He … He still is a little confused since coming back from the Forest of the Afterlife.”

Likon looked up and would have perhaps seen the telling shyness in the young woman’s face if it weren’t for the fact that two more dogs tried to lick his face.

“I heard that His Grace Finlay Ashowan’s familiar was able to arrange for one of the stone golems to make an exchange for him,” Eli volunteered, subtly saving the young woman from exposing her budding feelings.

“Yes, though I do feel a bit bad … They both wished to stay to serve Lady Katarina’s familiar … He just happened to lose the competition.”

Eli nodded sagely, even though he had already heard the story from several people how there had been an incredible strength competition between the two ancient beasts. They competed in boulder chucking in the desert, wrestling, and distance jumping.

The earth had shaken horribly for three days, but in the end, it was the golem Tak who had won.

Meaning his brethren, Jor, had to return …

While it wasn’t certain whether Pork Chop would even be able to return, the high price of a stone golem traveling back to the forest thankfully made up for dear Pork Chop.

“Ah, yes, I believe Mr. Kraft said something about Pork Chop now being able to see the imps and half fey?” Likon asked while standing back up.

“Yes. He spooks easily now …”

“Have you created a dark den for him to have a place to hide?”

“I-I haven’t yet. Would you”—Dana cleared her throat— “maybe be able to help me with that?”

Likon smiled and bowed. “Of course, Lady Dana. Now, if you will excuse us, I think we should try to get some supper while we—”

“DANA!”

The roar of Leader Gregory Faucher echoed up the corridor.

Instantly, Dana’s shy, sweet countenance hardened to that of a soldier preparing for battle.

Likon blinked rapidly at the dramatic shift in the noblewoman, and even Eli raised an eyebrow as Dana proceeded to fold her arms.

By the time Gregory Faucher stood in front of his daughter, the young woman was tapping her right foot against the stones.

“You are never to bring those dogs into the dining hall again, understood?” He bore down on Dana. Most knights under his command would cower at such a face.

His daughter only scowled back up at him.

“Well, you won’t let me learn to defend myself, so I need them with me at all times. For protection.”

“Dana, I told you, I will protect you and—

“You can’t be with me all the time, and we did just have a war where multiple nobles betrayed the king! Why is it a terrible idea for me to have their protection?”

“At least two nobles were urinated on, and one noblewoman had her shoe stolen during dinner.”

“Maybe she lost it somewhere else!” Dana retorted indignantly.

“I swear to the Gods, did Lady Katarina put you up to this?”

“Why? Because I could never think of doing such a thing on my own?” Dana accused hotly.

“Not before you met her, you couldn’t! Dana, I will not concede to you learning how to fight, so you should—” Faucher started to rumble, but then belatedly realized he and his daughter had an audience.

Likon quickly bowed, as did Eli, then the two quietly sidled around the crowd of dogs and the family feud toward the dining hall.

However, just as they had cleared the circumference of dogs, Dana called out.

“Likon, thank you for agreeing to help me. I’ll send a note to you soon to build the den.”

Turning back around to awkwardly wave to the young woman, Likon was caught off guard yet again by her when he saw the genuine warmth in her eyes as she smiled at him …

“Of course, my lady.” He cleared his throat and did his best to mask his reaction.

Faucher stared with a mixture of incredulousness and fury at Likon, then his daughter.

“What invitation did you issue?” the military leader ground out.

Likon and Eli hastily made their escape.

Once safely out of earshot, the Zinferan lad slid a quick look at Likon but was unfortunately caught, as Likon noticed.

“Is there something you’d like to say?”

Eli’s eyes snapped forward. “Not at all.”

Likon sighed while shaking his head …

He was starting to suspect that not only was Eli going to be difficult to get to open up, but also that the Ashowan family had influenced the Troivackian court more than the foreign nobility were aware. He was observing more and more instances of outrageousness and just a little bit of lighthearted silliness that had that familiar undercurrent of good-hearted magic. After all, Likon had heard from Kat how Lady Dana used to be painfully demure and soft-spoken, and there used to be an awkwardness between her and her father. But ever since the father and daughter had started fighting each other regularly in battles of wills … They’d never been closer.

Maybe Troivack won’t be as lonely a place as I thought it’d be …

With a half smile, Likon decided then and there that while his fate hadn’t always been kind, he would make the best of it, and hopefully, one day, he could find happiness and a place where he belonged all on his own. If he ever got a little downtrodden along the way? He knew he could always rely on the Ashowans to have his back.