I tried to school my face into an expression of despair—though I was fairly certain I failed. “I meant to say, you are right. I am without hope. My life is miserable and I need a reminder of all the goodness and sweetness that can exist.”
“Goodness and sweetness? That’s what you want?” Her voice shook with suppressed amusement.
“What I really meant to say is my life is cold and barren, and I need someone to show me that heat and passion still exist.”
“Hmm, I bet Kayla—” Mina’s words cut off with a squeal as I pulled her onto my lap.
I kissed her before she recovered, and she melted into me. I gripped the back of her head, not letting her pull away when I lifted my lips from hers. “You, Mina. I need you.”
She closed the tiny gap between our mouths, her tongue tangling with mine. In that moment she did taste of goodness and sweetness, heat and passion. She was everything I wanted, all I needed. It took extreme effort not to let my hands roam. I kept one tangled in her hair at the base of her head, the other on her waist. If I moved, I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist exploring her every dip and curve. Then I’d go for the laces on her bodice.
She shifted against me, sending a fresh bolt of arousal straight through me, and I had to pull back. “Mina,” I warned, “If you keep moving like that, I’m not going to be able to stop at kissing.”
She looked at me with kiss-swollen lips and a lust-addled gaze. For a single heartbeat, I thought she would throw caution to the wind. Then she blinked, her eyes clearing, and she nodded. “Sorry.”
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her against my chest. “Don’t be sorry. I enjoyed every moment of it. But unless you suddenly have a contraceptive enchantment...”
She shifted off me and looked away, her hand rising to her chest. “Not yet.”
“I don’t blame you. If you buy one from the general store, everyone in Skorsa will know within hours.”
She faced me once more, her hazel eyes bright. “I’m not afraid of a little gossip. And I’m not ashamed to have my name paired with yours. Please don’t think that.”
“It’s all right. I can be patient.”
I would wait forever for Mina.
Nineteen
Mina
???
“Were you ableto look through the magistrate’s library?”
I sat with my back to Alan’s chest, his legs stretched out on either side of me. Over the past week, it had become our standard position when sitting under the willow tree. Anything else and we spent more time kissing than talking. Not that I objected to the kissing, but I didn’t want to risk going beyond kisses until I told Alan my identity.
I returned to Haiwella in six days, which meant I needed to do that soon. A few more days probably wouldn’t make a difference in how much Alan trusted me, but it might impact how hurt he was by my secret. I should tell him tonight. But not just yet. I could enjoy our time together a little longer before I had to face Alan and tell him I had used a charm on him.
I placed my hands on his, where they rested over my abdomen, holding him closer. “Of course. The law is exactly what I remembered. Apart from a few specific laws about mind-bending charms, everything is based on intent and use. We won’t need the actual charm to prove the crime. There is plenty of evidence of Powell’s ill-intent. Which means that if you can find the charms, there is no reason to hesitate before breaking them.”
“Easier said than done. I’ve looked a bit every night, but I’ve found nothing. I even checked Powell’s bedroom last night before he got home.”
“Do you think he carries the charms on him?”
“He doesn’t wear any jewelry. They would have to be in his belt pouch.”
“The charm might be made of glass rather than a gemstone, remember.”
“I know, but glass would stand out just as much. Everything is metal, wood, or pottery.”
“Did Powell visit Haiwella when your mother was ill or just after she died? Maybe he disguised the charm in something.”
“He visited the city, but I don’t remember him bringing anything back. Not that my memories of those weeks are the clearest.” Alan rested his chin on the crown of my head. “One of the only things I remember distinctly is being so mad at him because he was making those hideous goblets the day of Ma’s funeral. The man barely ever stepped into the forge, even then, but he wanted to make goblets hours after his wife was buried?”
I frowned. “The same ones that are in the case in the shop?”
“The very same.”
