Chapter 20
Mina
My mind was filled with thoughts of the night before as I walked arm-in-arm with Elianna through Corinna. Viktor trailed some distance behind, so as not to draw attention to us. We were dressed in rough, homespun clothing to blend in with the crowd.
“So, a wedding huh?” Elianna lightly pinched my arm and I huffed. “I won’t have to call you, Your Majesty, when you become queen, will I?”
“Gods, no. I don’t even want to be queen.”
“Your wielder managed to convince you, though.”
“He has his ways.” I pressed my lips together to keep from grinning. Elianna made a humming sound.
After I’d found him sitting before the portal, Rixon had taken me to our chambers, shackled me, and then done all manner of wicked things.
He’d insisted on blindfolding me first, heightening my every sensation.
Then he’d spanked me for my disobedience, eaten my sex for nearly an hour, and fucked me to within an inch of my life.
He’d made me beg for every minute of it.
“What about you and Viktor, then?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Oh, he has his ways,” Elianna said dreamily.
I choked out a laugh. “So, the two of you, then?”
“Oh, yes. Why not? I mean, have you seen the male?”
“I have, but I’ve never really looked, you know?”
“I suppose I know what you mean.” She looked at me and we shared a grin.
Coralayne’s townhouse came into view and I caught sight of her outside, tending to her garden. “Cora!” I cried, happy to see her.
“Oh!” She stood and brushed her hands, rushing over to open the gate. “You just missed Jessin. He left for the palace not long ago.”
“Oh, we’re not here to see him. May we come in?”
Cora flushed with pleasure and ushered us inside. Viktor opted to hang back, meandering up and down the street. We didn’t want anyone to recognize us, and nothing gave a witch away faster than a lurking wielder. “Just sit tight and I’ll bring some tea.”
We made ourselves comfortable. When Cora returned, Elianna said, “You have a beautiful home.”
“Oh, thank you.” Jessin’s mother flushed and began setting out tea for the three of us. “To what do I owe the pleasure? Surely you aren’t here merely to visit.”
“You caught me,” I said, grinning. Biting my lip, I hesitated and then, “I wanted to take you up on your offer to help with wedding plans. Rixon and I decided—”
“Oh, gods!”
I couldn’t finish the explanation before Cora had jumped to her feet, in obvious excitement. She rounded the coffee table and took the other open seat beside me, pulling me into a firm hug. “Oh, gods! Truly?! You’ve accepted him?”
“I have.” Warmth spread through my limbs.
“Oh! That’s…that’s…” She fished a handkerchief from her skirt and began dabbing at her eyes. Her skin was blotchy with unshed tears. “That’s wonderful,” she finally managed. “Forgive…forgive me. I’m just…”
“It’s all right.” I squeezed her shoulder then sat back.
She sighed and then stood, rounding the table to reclaim her seat. “I would be honored to help with wedding preparations.”
“Thank you! There’s a lot to be completed. Rixon doesn’t want a long engagement, given the state of things. So, I thought I’d tell you what I had in mind and let you run with it.”
“That’s delightful. Yes. Wonderful. Just a moment, let me gather my things.”
She rushed off, returning a few minutes later with writing utensils and a notebook.
Setting everything out, she prepared to take notes.
Her tea had largely gone untouched, abandoned in favor of wedding plans.
I couldn’t fault her, not when I could nearly taste the excitement rolling off her in waves.
Rixon had always been a second son to her.
Settling in, I took a sip of my tea then began to outline each of my desires, from the style of dress, to the colors of the flowers. They weren’t details I had considered for a long time, not since before my magic had come in, not since I was a younger woman daydreaming about such things.
The morning passed quickly, filled with smiles and giggles.
When at last we left, Cora was beaming. She hugged us and sent us on our way.
We made our way to The Innocent Flute, one of the taverns on my list, in an attempt to suss out information on Darius Santos—if such a person existed.
I knew next to nothing, other than he’d hired the assassin my demon had killed.
In a place like Corinna, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Warmth blasted us as we stepped inside the tavern, scoping out an empty table. A barmaid was with us a moment later to take our order. Viktor stalked in a few minutes afterward, taking a seat at the bar and ordering a drink. He had a direct view of us from his vantage point.
“What do you have on special today?” Elianna asked the maid.
“Roast pork and apples, with a side of brown rice.” She motioned to a board at the front of the room with food and prices.
Elianna and I shared a look, both nodding. “We’ll take two,” I said, “along with two cups of cider.”
“Certainly. Be back in a moment.”
She returned with our drinks and I paid her. Before she retreated, I gently grabbed her forearm, releasing just as quickly. “I’m sorry to trouble you. But…we’re looking for someone, an acquaintance. Name’s Darius Santos. Not sure if you know his whereabouts?”
She frowned, her expression genuine. “Santos… Not sure I know anyone by that name.”
“Not to worry. Thank you.”
When our food arrived, we ate quickly, then departed for the next stop.
Jaded Lioness was on the same block. We dipped inside, taking another table, ordering more cider.
“If I don’t pace myself,” said Elianna, “I’ll end up with a bladder the size of a large melon.
Last thing I want to do is use the toilet in a place like this. ”
Like before, I asked the barmaid if she’d heard of anyone by the name of Darius Santos. Her answer was the same—she hadn’t. We tried two more taverns before we had any luck. “Darius Santos? I think I’ve heard that name. Tall fellow, frequents The Simple Spoon from time to time.”
“The Simple Spoon?” Elianna and I shared a glance.
“Yes, just down the road, as a matter of fact.” The barmaid glanced towards the tavern door as it opened. Lola walked in, Julian trailing behind.
“Thank you,” I said, adding an extra coin to the stack I’d given her. “You’ve been very helpful.”
“Of course.” She bustled away.
“Almost seems too convenient," Elianna mused. "Either we're lucky, or someone wants us to go to The Simple Spoon."
“Perhaps you’re right. Only one way to find out.”
Lola and Julian walked over to join us, pulling out the two empty chairs. Viktor watched from his usual vantage point. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to draw attention to us, but, I supposed we had some information to work from.
“Shouldn’t you be guarding Rixon?” Elianna eyed the newcomers.
“Mya agreed to take over with Flynn, to give us some free time.”
Now that there was a greater risk, Mya wanted two witches tailing Rixon at all times.
“What about Anne and Ronan?” I asked, having preferred the two of them at the table. Nothing against Lola, but she was quiet and I didn’t quite feel any sort of connection with her.
“Oh Josette and Cayden took over. They wanted some time to rest before dinner.” I made a humming sound, taking a small sip of my cider. “So? Any luck?” Lola asked.
“Yes, as a matter of fact,” said Elianna. “We’ve got our first lead.”
“What did you find?” Lola sat forward. She was usually soft-spoken and rarely showed any kind of emotion. That she was eager surprised me. Then again, I suppose all of us were, given the state of things.
“One of the bar maids said that she’d heard of someone going by the name of Santos frequenting The Simple Spoon down the road from here. We were just about to head that way.”
“Won’t you be late for dinner?” Lola looked at me. I jolted, looking for the nearest clock, then cursed under my breath. “No matter. Why don’t you let Julian and I look into it. I promise we won’t do anything risky.”
Blowing out a breath, I nodded. “Thank you. If you could just ask around, nothing too suspicious. I want to catch Santos alive. He’s our only lead.”
“Nothing suspicious, I swear it,” Lola said, nodding.
“Good, thank you. Eli?”
“Yes, let’s get going. Thank you Lola, Julian, see you later.”
We rushed back through the city.
Rixon was waiting for me in our chambers. “Well, don’t you look a sight for sore eyes,” I said, taking in the expert cut of his tunic and the way his baldric accentuated the lines of his chest.
“You should have been back an hour ago,” he said, striding over as he took in the state of my clothes. “Dinner is in fifteen minutes and you cannot appear dressed like that.”
“Since when are you the authority on attire?” I put my hands on my hips, regarding him with a raised brow. “Maybe it’s better if I just skip tonight.”
I dreaded showing my face after what had happened in the throne room. The last thing I wanted were distrustful looks. Whispers behind my back. Scorn. Disgust.
“No. That is precisely why you will be there.” His eyes bored into me. “There’s a cream and gold gown in the wardrobe, put it on. I’ll help.”
“Oh, you will, will you?” I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth.
His eyes heated, “Later,” he growled.
Sighing, I gave in and retrieved the gown.
The fabric was buttery soft to the touch.
I shivered, eager for the feel of it against my skin.
Discarding my homespun dress, I slid the other over my head.
Rixon appeared behind me to help with the ties.
He brushed a kiss against my shoulder. “How did today go?”
I blew out a breath. “Okay, I suppose. We got a lead.”
I told him about our last tavern and the bar maid’s suggestion. There was no way to know for sure if Santos really did frequent The Simple Spoon, but if he did, Lola and Julian would find out. I also told him about our visit with Cora and how excited she was about overseeing our wedding plans.