Chapter 13
Petra woke before her alarm, which wasn’t surprising given how little sleep she’d gotten. Every time she’d closed her eyes, her mind had replayed those moments in the library with Seth. The way he’d looked at her. The feel of his arms around her. The devastating perfection of his kiss.
She touched her fingers to her lips, almost able to feel the phantom pressure of his mouth on hers. Had that really happened? Had she actually been brave enough to admit her feelings, and had he actually kissed her back?
The gold locket resting on her chest felt warm, and Petra opened it to look at the photographs inside. Her parents smiled up at her from one side, frozen in their wedding day happiness. Her grandmother and grandfather gazed out from the other side of the locket.
“I think you’d like him, Oma,” she whispered to her grandmother’s image. “He’s a good man. And he makes me feel brave.”
No voice answered, but Petra felt a warmth in her heart that might have been approval. Or might have been her own hope making itself known.
She set the locket gently back against her skin and got out of bed.
The castle was already stirring. She could hear water running in pipes somewhere, and distant sounds from the kitchen below.
Frau Dietrich would be preparing breakfast, probably with the same dour efficiency she brought to everything.
Not for much longer, though. Tonight the current staff would be let go, and tomorrow new people would arrive. People Seth trusted. People who would help her instead of reporting her every move to the enemy.
Petra showered and dressed carefully, choosing to wear the burgundy cardigan Seth had picked out for her along with her nicest jeans and a cream blouse.
She told herself she wasn’t dressing for him, that she was just trying to look put-together and confident for another difficult day.
But when she caught her reflection in the mirror and saw the slight flush in her cheeks, she knew she was lying to herself.
She was absolutely dressing for him.
The thought made her pause. Was she being ridiculous? She’d kissed Seth only twice, and suddenly she was choosing clothes based on his preferences? That seemed like the kind of thing silly girls did, not grown women facing life-threatening situations.
Then again, maybe she was allowed to be a little silly. Maybe after years of playing it safe and avoiding anything that might lead to disappointment, she was entitled to enjoy the attention of an attractive man who seemed to like her back.
Even if she still couldn’t quite believe it was real.
Petra made her way downstairs to the smaller dining room, where she found Katja already seated with coffee and a newspaper. The lawyer looked as impeccable as ever in a crisp white blouse and tailored navy trousers, her pale blonde hair was pulled back in its customary sleek style.
“Good morning,” Katja said, looking up with a gaze that seemed to see entirely too much. A slow smile spread over her face. “You’re glowing.”
Petra felt heat creep into her cheeks. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Of course you don’t.” Katja’s grin was knowing. “Seth will be joining us, I assume?”
“He said he would. At eight.” Petra poured herself coffee from the thermal carafe on the table, grateful for something to do with her hands. “I hope that’s all right.”
“It’s your castle. You can invite whomever you like to breakfast.” Katja returned to her newspaper. “Though I will say, for what it’s worth, I approve.”
“Approve of what?”
“Of Seth. He’s competent, trustworthy, and clearly cares about your wellbeing.” Katja turned a page. “Also, the way he looks at you suggests his interest is more than professional.”
“Katja,” Petra protested weakly.
“I’m simply making an observation.” The lawyer’s tone was bland. “You could do far worse than a man who’s willing to bring in his private army to protect you.”
Petra sat down with her coffee, unsure how to respond to that. Was it that obvious? Could everyone see how she felt about Seth, or was Katja just particularly perceptive?
One of the maids brought in breakfast, which consisted of fresh bread, butter, jam, sliced meats and cheeses, and soft-boiled eggs in delicate cups. The girl kept her eyes down as she served, saying nothing beyond a murmured “Guten Morgen” before disappearing again.
“She seems terrified,” Petra said quietly once the door closed.
“She knows things are changing.” Katja spread butter on a slice of bread with precise movements. “The staff aren’t stupid. They’ve noticed the new security presence, the technical specialist, the fact that you’ve brought in your own lawyer. They know their positions are precarious.”
“I almost feel bad about firing them.”
“Don’t. They chose to serve a man who supported evil, and they chose to continue that service even after his death.” Katja’s pale eyes were hard. “Loyalty is admirable, but not when it’s given to the wrong cause.”
Petra supposed that was true. Still, the thought of dismissing people who’d worked here for years made her uncomfortable. But Seth was right. She couldn’t trust any of them. Not when they might report everything she did back to the Venifucus.
Seth entered the room and Petra’s breath caught despite herself. He wore dark jeans and a charcoal shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders, and his hair was slightly damp like he’d recently showered. He looked dangerous and capable, and unfairly attractive.
“Good morning,” he said, his dark eyes finding Petra’s immediately. The warmth in his gaze made her stomach flutter.
“Good morning.” Petra returned, then gestured to the chair beside her, hyperaware of how close he’d be sitting. “Help yourself. There’s plenty.”
Seth settled into the seat, his presence somehow making the room feel smaller and warmer at the same time.
He served himself with efficient movements, and Petra tried not to stare at his hands.
She’d felt those hands on her waist last night, pulling her closer.
Gentle but strong, careful but confident.
Stop it, she told herself firmly. Focus on breakfast and the day ahead, not on how much you want him to kiss you again.
“Sleep well?” Katja asked, and Petra couldn’t tell if the question was directed at her or Seth or both of them.
“Well enough,” Seth said. “Pax and Ari sat watch overnight, so I actually got a few hours in a real bed.”
“And you, Petra?” Katja’s eyes were definitely amused now.
“Fine,” Petra said quickly. “I slept fine.”
Katja’s expression said she didn’t believe that for a second, but mercifully she didn’t push. Instead, she turned to Seth. “What’s the plan for today?”
“Staff transition happens this afternoon. Sam’s people should arrive by noon.
” Seth cut into his soft-boiled egg with practiced ease.
“I’ll brief them, make sure they understand the situation and their roles.
Then we’ll gather the current staff and Petra will inform them their employment is being terminated. ”
Petra’s stomach clenched. “Do I have to be the one to tell them?”
“You’re the owner. It should come from you.” Seth’s voice was gentle but firm. “But I’ll be right there with you. So will Katja if you want.”
“I’ll be there,” Katja confirmed. “And I’ll handle any legal objections they might raise.”
“Will they object?” Petra asked.
“Probably. Herr Müller especially will want explanations.” Katja sipped her coffee.
“But you don’t owe him any. You’re well within your rights as the new owner to make staffing changes.
The severance packages I’ve prepared are generous, and a lot more than legally required.
They can take them and leave quietly, or they can refuse and leave anyway. ”
That seemed harsh, but Petra supposed it had to be this way. They didn’t have time for negotiation or appeals. The mages would be returning soon, and they needed trustworthy people in place before that happened.
“What about after they’re gone?” Petra asked. “Won’t they just report to the enemy that we’ve replaced them?”
“Almost certainly,” Seth said. “But by then it won’t matter. The new staff will be in place, the castle will be secure, and we’ll be ready for whatever comes next.”
Petra wished she felt as confident as he sounded. She picked at her breakfast, her appetite gone despite the excellent food.
Seth’s hand found hers under the table, his fingers warm and reassuring as they interlaced with hers. The gesture was hidden from Katja’s view, private and comforting.
“You can do this,” he said quietly. “I know you can.”
Petra squeezed his hand, drawing strength from his touch. “I hope you’re right.”
“I am.” His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand, the simple touch sending warmth through her whole body. “You’ve already done the hard part by choosing to fight. Everything else is just logistics.”
Easy for him to say. He was used to dangerous situations and difficult decisions. Petra had spent her entire adult life avoiding confrontation, and now she was supposed to fire five people and prepare to face dark mages.
But Seth believed she could do it. And somehow, his belief made it feel possible.
They finished breakfast with Katja providing updates on the legal documentation. She’d reviewed everything and had questions for the estate lawyers. Seth outlined the security improvements his team had implemented overnight.
“I need to meet with my team,” Seth said as he was preparing to leave. “But I’ll be back by noon to help brief the new arrivals. We can go over the staff dismissal together, make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re going to say.”
“All right.” Petra wanted to reach for him, to feel that reassuring warmth, but Katja was watching with barely concealed amusement.
Seth seemed to understand anyway. He touched her shoulder briefly, the gesture somehow conveying more than words could. “You’re going to be fine. Better than fine.”
Then he was gone, leaving Petra standing in the dining room with her heart beating too fast and her thoughts in pleasant chaos.
“Well,” Katja said. “That was illuminating.”
“Don’t,” Petra warned.
“I’m not saying anything.” Katja’s smile was positively wicked. “Except that you should probably prepare yourself for the fact that Seth is quite obviously smitten with you.”
Smitten. The word felt too small for what she’d seen in Seth’s eyes, but it was better than the alternative explanations her anxious mind kept offering. Things like “being kind because it’s his job” or “feeling protective of a helpless librarian.”
But he’d held her hand under the table. He’d kissed her last night. Those weren’t things you did out of professional obligation.
Were they?
“Stop overthinking,” Katja said, as if reading her mind. “Sometimes the simple explanation is the right one. He likes you. You like him. The rest will work itself out.”
Petra wanted to believe that. She really did. But a lifetime of playing it safe and expecting disappointment was hard to overcome in just a few days.
“Come on,” Katja said, gathering her papers. “We have work to do. The estate’s lawyers are expecting my call, and I want to be thoroughly prepared before I shred their carefully crafted documents.”
Despite everything, Petra smiled. “You really enjoy this, don’t you?”
“Immensely.” Katja’s grin was sharp. “There’s nothing quite like taking apart a contract that’s designed to benefit everyone except your client. It’s a puzzle, and I’m very good at puzzles.”
They spent some time in the library, going over every clause and subsection of the documents the estate lawyers had provided.
Katja explained things in plain language, pointing out where the wording was deliberately vague or where Petra’s authority might be limited in ways that weren’t immediately obvious.
“This section here,” Katja said, tapping her tablet. “It requires board approval for any ‘significant operational changes’ to the manufacturing facilities. But ‘significant’ isn’t defined. That means they could potentially block any changes you want to make by claiming they’re significant.”
“Can we fix that?” Petra asked.
“We can insist on clearer language. Either define ‘significant’ with specific dollar amounts and scope, or remove the restriction entirely.” Katja made a note. “You’re the majority shareholder. You should have final say.”
The morning passed in a blur of legal terminology and strategic planning. When Katja’s alarm chimed at ten, she excused herself to make the call to the estate lawyers from her room where she could be certain of privacy.
Petra was left alone in the library, surrounded by stacks of documents and feeling overwhelmed. She stood and moved to the window, looking out at the gardens where she’d first met Seth.
Had that really only been a few days ago? It felt like weeks. Like she’d known him for much longer than was actually possible.
Her phone buzzed with a text. She’d almost forgotten about the burner phone Seth had gotten her. She pulled it out of her bag and smiled at the message on the screen.
SETH: How are you holding up?
PETRA: Drowning in legal documents. Katja is terrifying when she’s in lawyer mode.
SETH: That’s why Mark recommended her. She’s the best.
PETRA: Are you really coming back at noon?
There was a pause before his response came through.
SETH: Do you want me to come back sooner?
Petra bit her lip, debating. She shouldn’t need him here. She was a grown woman perfectly capable of reviewing documents on her own. But the truth was, she did want him here. His presence made everything feel more manageable.
PETRA: Only if it won’t interrupt your work.
SETH: I’m never too busy for you. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.
Warmth flooded through Petra’s chest. She set the phone down and tried to ignore the nervous flutter in her stomach. He was coming back because she’d asked. Because he wanted to see her.
Maybe Katja was right. Maybe the simple explanation was the right one. Maybe Seth really did like her as much as she liked him.