I scoff. “He did.”
“Not enough.”
“If you need more, I have it,” Cirrin says, casting a cool blast of his healing magic over my shoulders—above the place where Varic’s shield still holds me.
“What did you mean I’d catch on?” Varic grits through clenched teeth, flicking his gaze over to Malin, whose slight smile gives him away as having played some ruse on his Leader.
“You finally used your magic to help her.” Amusement coats Malin’s tone.
“What—” I begin to ask, as the Emperor’s voice pulls our collective attention.
“While it is not customary, I’m feeling rather celebra—” the Emperor hiccups, interrupting his speech. “We will have a dance!”
Gratitude swirls throughout my chest now that I will be able to rest while the nobles take a turn around the dance floor.
Wyrth walks by with his own Guards and Imperial Witch trailing behind. The sympathy I feel for Imelda snakes from me before I can catch it, imbuing her with awareness of my perception of her being forced to manage the moods of such a deplorable sorcerer.
Her large brown eyes consider me quickly before returning to fix on her charge as he leans in to the Emperor’s ear, speaking louder than is proper to address him. “Your Majesty, I must recommend you switch to drinking water for the rest of the night.”
“Stop being such a joy-snatcher,” Emperor Aldritch taunts back.
Varic shifts beside me, radiating a discomfort I cannot support him with, now that the Emperor’s eyes have found mine.
“My little witch, Imperial Lead Guard Varic—come!” He gestures for us to meet him.
Varic hesitates, raising his hand as if in offering, before dropping it to his side, apparently having thought the better of it.
Cold mist casts up my back as His Majesty gestures more aggressively.
“I can do this. Cirrin has helped,” I tell Varic under my breath. He nods, and we walk toward His Majesty with the rest of my Guards following behind.
We pause before the Emperor as he leans forward. “Dance!” he shouts.
My heart falls to my stomach when Varic glances over.
A collective gasp rises from the crowd, as they well know the Emperor has never allowed another sorcerer the honor of dancing with the Imperial Grand Witch before this instance.
Dread coils through my organs, and I miss the years when His Majesty’s behavior was easier to predict, back when he held a more strict adherence to tradition. Yet now he commands me to dance with my new Lead Guard, creating a scandal before the most powerful audience in the Empire, after threatening to enact violence against innocent children should we ever make contact outside of what is required for my safety.
It's impossible to stay two steps ahead when his decisions make even less sense. He could condemn us all if I am unable to get him under control. My whole being burns with the need to protect Varic from becoming collateral should I ever fail to recognize our captor’s designs.
His Majesty stumbles forward, and Varic’s shield rises to protect my skin just before his clammy fingers grab hold of my wrist. He drags me behind him like an overexcited child and my vision swims.
I try to compose myself when a cloud of blue healing magic flows over my back before steadying me—for now, at least.
The crowd closes in, vying to be the closest to witness the first time their Imperial Grand Witch dances with someone other than their ruler. Murmuring fills my ears as I snap my jaw shut to prevent myself from responding.
“Do you think he’ll be able to maintain all those muscles?”
“Of course! Just look at Imperial Guard Lars.”
“Rumor is they train in her quarters at night.”
“Can you imagine! I’d give anything to be her.”
Time slows, and all movement around me casts a sweeping haze as I stare forward, unable to discern any details on the form striding toward me. My ears ring loud enough to dull all other sounds as Varic’s shield dissipates from where it clings to my skin, feeling weaker by the second, until a breath of nutmeg and clove fills me with comfort.
Heat expands from the center of my chest, and I furrow my brow at the adoration and admiration Varic sends, tinged with a darker amber than I am used to seeing around his emotions.
