“Maddox is a capable guard,” Narcissa snapped.“I have no doubts our emissary will be perfectly safe.”
She was an angel.
The meeting ended after a few more insolent questions from Sir Archibald, who asked if witches had adequate plumbing or if they lived in their own filth.Narcissa’s face was almost as red as her hair by the time the councilmen took their leave.
“I thought you chose the most amenable council members, Bennett,” she said to the crown prince.It seemed that “my darling” and kittens were reserved for more relaxed situations.
“I did,” Crown Prince Bennett said drily.
“Whatever happened to that royal inspector?”
“Erasmus?Ash said he retired.”
Of course theonlymember of the King's Council who had a friendly disposition toward witches was retired.I threw a glare at the archway the two councilmen disappeared through, wondering just how awful the others were.
Rowena and Ferdinand seemed similarly ruffled as I turned to them.
“Nasty bunch, aren’t they?”I muttered.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Ferdinand said with a sigh.
Rowena withdrew something from her pocket.I recognized the brassy gleam all too well.She pressed a small acorn pin—the symbol of the Witch Committee—into my palm.
“I’m not rejoining,” I said, attempting to give it back.“It’s just for this assignment.”
She shrugged a shoulder.“Even still.Count yourself back in for the next two weeks.Don’t hesitate to ask any of us for help, my dear.”
Good old witch hospitality.I had nearly forgotten that such kindness existed.“Thank you,” I said, my voice catching.I dropped the pin into my pocket.“I actually do have a favor to ask.”
Ferdinand nodded, jangling the charms in his beard.“About lodging, I suppose?”
“Yes,” I said sheepishly.
Rowena patted my hand.“Can’t imagine Nasha would be too pleased to house a human.”
Her mention of Ma brought a fresh wave of dread over me.I had been terrified of seeing her even when I was the royal seamstress, but now, when I had lost everything?Blazing fires.She’d never let me live it down.
“Do you still have that cottage near the fields?”I asked Ferdinand.As one of the witches who looked over the crops, he had a house at the outskirts of the village.It was the ideal spot; Ma always grew antsy at the outskirts and the population was considerably less dense there.
“Oh yes,” Ferdinand said.“My grandsons are in charge of it now.I’ll write to Alexander, if you’d like.I’m sure he remembers you, seeing as you two were old playmates.”
I let go of a relieved breath.“Thank you.Would there be enough room?I’d hate to intrude.”
“There’ll be plenty,” Ferdinand said.“You’re brave for doing this, my girl.Some elders won’t be happy about you bringing back a human, but you’ll weather it—all they can do is talk.”
It was only talk, but I feared words meant too much to me.Rowena shot me a concerned glance.I wondered if I looked as sick as I felt.
After the two of them gave me another slew of comforting words, they took their leave.I was left with Edmund and Maddox, who seemed to have forwent conversation in favor of looking at the tiles.
I cleared my throat awkwardly.Despite Edmund’s pleasant demeanor throughout the meeting, I still wasn’t sure if he was uneasy about my magic.
“Miss Giselle,” he said with a gentlemanly nod.“I wish I could apologize on behalf of those councilmen.Their crassness was unforgivable.”
I shrugged.“They only behave according to what they believe.Rest assured, I’ll make your experience at Witch Village as pleasant as possible.”
I peered up at him, and to my relief, Edmund smiled.It was a genuine, joyful expression, creasing the corners of his eyes.
A man simply didn’t smile like that at someone he feared.
