Chapter 19
Rixon
Rixon groaned with distaste when he found an audience waiting in his apartment. Shouldn’t this sort of behavior be forbidden? Wasn’t he the king? Couldn’t he require people to schedule meetings with him, even those closest to him?
“Oh, quit your grousing,” said Mina, swatting his arm as she squirmed out of his hold.
The sitting room was filled. All the witches and their wielders, plus Herrin, Jessin, and his mother, Coralayne. Familiar faces, the lot of them, but he’d have preferred to have Mina all to himself.
Jessin was the first to stride forward, gripping his shoulder. “You all right?”
“I’m alive, aren’t I?”
Jessin chuckled then pulled him into an embrace, his mother lurking behind them. When she stepped forward, he found his irritation softening. “Aleksander.” She took his face between her palms and squeezed. Though she tried to hide it, there was genuine worry in her features.
He glanced up and noticed that Mina had squeezed herself between Anne and Elianna on the sofa, all but sitting in their laps.
The sight made his lips twitch, further lifting his mood.
As much as he wanted to hoard her all to himself, he liked that she had friends.
Friends that knew what darkness was lurking in her and hadn’t shied away on account of it.
They would need that kind of loyalty in the days to come.
“I suppose you’re all here because you’re worried about me,” he drawled, stalking over to the liquor cabinet and pouring himself a whiskey. He turned to face the room, perching on the edge of it.
“Someone is trying to kill you,” said Mya. She sat nestled beside Flynn. “Raeria is on the brink of war. And our Mina revealed her darkness for everyone to see. You’ll need all the support you can get.”
“I have an entire panel full of advisors. Believe me, it’s enough to drive a sane male mad.”
“Ah. Advisors you didn’t choose for yourself,” Mya pointed out. “Males who won’t bother getting their own hands dirty.”
“What are you suggesting?” He eyed her warily.
“I am suggesting you let us work to protect you, to protect this kingdom.”
“Move us into the palace,” said Elianna. “The citizens of Corinna already mistrust witches thanks to your father. Now that Mina has revealed herself, they will believe you are cavorting with demons.”
“We’ll be at less risk here,” said Mya. “And better able to protect both of you.”
“Done.” That was easy enough. “What else?”
“Let us look into finding the person behind the attacks, freeing you up to focus on your kingdom.”
“Fine,” he said. “Mina will help you. She’s already proven capable on that front.”
“There’s something else, too.” Mya eyed him warily. “Given what Mina revealed to the court, we believe it best if you wed her officially, and crown her as your queen.”
A burst of longing expanded in his chest—
“What?!” Mina balked, jumping up from the sofa. “I don’t want to be queen. That...that goes against my oath as a witch. Against—”
“Your oath is not as important as your life. This will show the people of Raeria that Rixon has vouched for you, that he has faith in you, and that you are tied to him. If the people get it in their minds to harm you, they will have their king to answer to. It offers you a measure of safety that being a witch—even his witch—simply does not.”
Mina’s breaths came faster. He watched her, studying her uncertainty and hating the sight of it.
He tried not to take her refusal to heart, but it was difficult.
He understood her reasons, but fuck, he wanted her.
Wanted to tie her to him in every possible way. Calling her wife, making her his queen.
How many times had he wished during the farce with Trudy Holland that it was Mina instead? He would have gladly dropped everything to marry her, if his father had insisted upon it. Without sounding too desperate, he said, “We will consider the matter of marriage.”
Mina’s jaw dropped, a look of betrayal washing over her features.
She was his lady witch, and thus, was supposed to make final decisions for them.
In saying that, he was overriding her. She shot him a glare, so he sent her a look that told her to behave and promised the kind of punishment she craved.
Her cheeks flushed and she looked away, desire warring with anger.
“I can help with wedding preparations,” said Cora, jumping in. “If, that is, if you decide to go forward with marriage. It would be my honor.”
“We’re not—!”
“Aramina.” He fixed his gaze on her, effectively silencing her. Oh, he was going to have all sorts of fun with her later. He’d fuck her so hard, fuck her until she was begging to be his wife.
“I need a drink,” she muttered, coming over and snatching the one right from his hand, draining it before he’d had the chance to. Gods, he loved her fire.
“Good, well, that’s settled then,” said Mya, as if sensing the sudden rise in tension. “It has been a trying day. Shall we apply to your steward to take care of our new accommodations?”
“Yes, talk with Andrei. He’ll manage it.”
“Excellent.” With that, Mya’s cohort was rising and departing.
“We should get going, too.” Cora stood, giving Jessin a pinch to do the same.
“Jessin, wait,” said Rixon. “I’d like a word. Cora, it was good to see you. Thank you for coming.” He took her hand and kissed the back, giving it a gentle squeeze.
A soft smile formed on her lips and she patted his cheek. “Of course, dear. Call upon me if you have need of me. Get some rest today.”
When she disappeared and it was only the three of them, he said to Jessin, “I want you to retire from the military and take a position that will keep you here.”
Jessin frowned. “What do you have in mind?”
“I need people around me that I can trust, you in particular. I know I fucked up as far as friendship goes, all those years ago. But, I’d like to start anew. I want you to stay here in the palace. We’ll find a position that suits you. What do you say?”
“Yes.”
He frowned. “You don’t want to think it over first?”
“What’s there to think about?” A lazy grin spread across his face. “You’re a brother to me in all but blood, Rixy—”
“Please don’t call me that.”
“—I’ll do whatever is needed of me. Besides, something tells me this is going to be the most exciting place to be for a while.” His eyes darted over to mina. “Oh, don’t sulk, love. I’m sure I’ll make a fine brother-in-law.”
“Don’t you dare—” Mina snarled, lurching forward like she was going to hit him.
He merely dodged, laughing. “I’ll let you two alone. I’m sure you’ve got all sorts of…tension to work out.”
“We’ve got nothing to work out,” Mina snapped.
“Yes. Leave us,” Rixon said at the same time.
Jessin looked between them, smirked, then backed out of the room.
Mina growled. “I’m not going to be queen. We’re going to get you out of this situation, and go back to how things were.”
“There is no going back,” he said, studying her. It had taken him some time to realize that and accept it, but he knew. “Even if you find a way to close the portal, things will never go back to the way they were.”
She blinked at him, her mouth going slack. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that Herrin was right. I accepted this responsibility, and I intend to see it through.”
“No.”
“Yes, Lady Witch. And I will do it with you by my side.”
“No.” She backed away from him.
His stomach hardened into a knot. “Mina…” he warned.
“Fuck,” she breathed, rubbing her hands over her face. “Fuck!”
He stalked over to her but she scampered backwards until her back collided with the wall. He caged her within his arms, placing his palms flat on each side of her, leaning in. “I think it’s time for the shackles again.”
“No.” Her chest began to rise and fall more rapidly.
“Yes.” He held her gaze, unwilling to back down. “Go and get them.”
“No.” She frantically shook her head. “I need time…time to think about this.”
“There is no time. What Mya said—you need the protection of the crown. The last thing we need is a witch hunt in the midst of all the other madness going on. Or…are you refusing for other reasons? Do you not wish to be mine?”
“I do not wish to be queen,” she snarled, eyes morphing.
“And I never wished to be king,” he cried. “But here we are. Mina, I am asking you—no, I am begging you to do this. If for no other reason than for me. How many times have I asked you for something? Do you think I do it lightly?!”
Her breaths came faster as genuine fear stole over her expression. He didn’t want her afraid. He wanted her to trust him. “I don’t… I…”
He pressed his forehead against hers, calming her. Their breaths mingled as she took his tunic in both hands, fisting it to hold him there. Her words hurt more than he cared to admit. That she didn’t immediately agree to this, even as he made it clear how important it was.
When she didn’t say anything, he had his answer. He wouldn’t force her. He’d never force her into something so monumental. He wasn’t his father.
Standing, he backed away from her and straightened his tunic. His voice was flat, emotionless as he said, “Very well, Lady Witch. We will continue as we have.”
She took a step forward, reaching for him. “Rixon.”
“No. It’s—it’s all right. I do not wish to force you into something you don’t want. I would never marry someone through force.”
Her flinch was subtle. He dragged a hand over his face. Fuck, he was tired. So tired. “I need to go down to…below. The portal is due for my blood.”
“I’ll find a way to fix it,” she promised. “After…after we eliminate the threat on your life.”
He hesitated, then nodded. “Even if—when—you do find a way, I will remain as Raeria’s king.”
“Rixon, please. You swore an oath.”
“Yes, and then I swore another. Trust me, I hated every fucking minute of it. But I did it, because I promised my father I would, in exchange for your location. I would do it a thousand times over if it meant knowing where to find you. How to save you. Who am I, if I cannot keep my word?”
Her shoulders slumped. “I…I just need some time. That’s all.”
“Then take it.” He spared her one last look, then left.
Mina found him later, sitting in the middle of the five pointed star, staring at the portal. He’d already bled on it. Unlike his father, his blood was stronger, younger, lasted longer. He didn’t need to feed it daily or risk demons slipping through. He’d done it once a week.
“You’re still here.” Mina stepped before him, then crouched down, taking his hand and healing the gash that continued to drip onto the floor.
“Still here.” He didn’t meet her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she breathed, taking a seat next to him, staring ahead.
“It’s…all right. I shouldn’t have pushed you. It’s not my place.”
“No, it is. We aren’t like a normal witch and wielder pair. We never have been, but now, more than ever, our difference is stark.”
“Yes.”
“You must be feeling out of control, with everything.”
“You have no idea.” He blew out a breath. “I’m losing my fucking mind over it. I shouldn’t have exerted myself over you back there. I just…fuck, I want you so bad, as my wife, my queen, the mother of my children. All of it.”
“I know.” Her voice was quiet. “I’ll marry you.”
He blinked, then frowned, turning to her. “What?”
“I said, I’ll marry you. I should have said yes the moment it was suggested. There will never be another for me. You are it, Rixon. You have always been it. I was just…blindsided. Surprised. I needed a moment to digest.”
“I don’t want you saying this just to appease me—”
“I’m not.” She climbed onto his lap, straddling him, cupping his face in her hands. “I will marry you. I’ll hate being queen, but I will never ever hate being your wife. And…I’ll give you children. I love the idea of children with you. I’m just not quite ready for that yet.”
“We can wait,” he assured her, heart pounding. Was she really agreeing to this?
“But not too long,” she said.
“No?”
She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “That tea is not exactly palatable. And it’s a hassle. And the idea of carrying your child makes me…”
“Makes you what?” he asked as his temperature rose. He could already picture her, heavy with his babe in her belly. The thought of it sent blood rushing straight to his cock.
“Makes me want you so fucking bad.” She ground her hips down against his already hardening length.
“Yes?” He brushed her hair over her shoulder, exposing the lines of her throat.
“Yes.”
“All right.” He eyed her, just to be sure she was serious. “What made you change your mind so quickly?”
“The moment you left, I realized I was being selfish. I love you so much, Rixon. So fucking much. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you—not if it’s important to you. And I know you feel the same about me. Now, will you please take me upstairs and use the shackles on me?”
“Hmm…” He ran his fingers down the curve of her jaw, reveling in the softness of her skin. Her words stroked his pride. She’d proven last night that she was willing to put her entire trust in him. Now she was reaffirming that. He hadn’t been sure she’d want to do this again with him, but she did.
“Rixon,” she protested, but he only held her tighter.
His low chuckle had her leaning in closer. He gripped the back of her neck and pulled her into a punishing kiss, fueled with his desperation for her. She melted against him, whimpering.
He slipped a hand under her gown and cursed. “Already dripping for me, little witch?”
“Always.”
With that, he scooped her up and carried her back to their chambers.