“I still have my basic magic, and as king, the castle allows me to use its magic as well,” Xavier said, shifting uncomfortably.
The castle had magic? I tucked that information away for later and stepped closer. Xavier stiffened as I approached, and I thrust my arm forward. “Take this off me, now,” I hissed, my voice sharp with the command.
“Are you always this demanding?” he asked, his lips twitching at his question. I had asked him something similar when we first met.
“It appears so,” I retorted, narrowing my eyes back at him.
“I will remove it when I get my answers,” Xavier replied calmly, taking another leisurely sip from his glass. I cried out in frustration and flopped down at the opposite end of the bed, letting out a huff.
Silence hung in the air for a moment, but I snapped my head toward him. “Do you plan on killing your brother?” I asked, and Xavier’s eyes sharpened.
“That is yet to be decided.” He scoffed, bitterness lacing his tone.
“All because he took your magic?” I scoffed back.
“Because he took part of my soul,” Xavier snapped, his eyes flashing a fierce yellow.
My eyes widened in surprise. His soul?
Xavier laughed bitterly. “I guess he didn’t tell you everything. Yes, little stalker, he has part of my soul.”
“How?” I asked, stunned by this new information.
“Our magic comes from our souls,” Xavier explained, his face twisting in disgust. “He ripped my magic from my body, and in the process, he tore and took a part of my soul.”
I stared at him, my brows furrowing in confusion. “Did he know that would happen?”
Xavier laughed again, but it was cold and unkind. “Of course he did. Came in the night like a coward.” He scoffed.
“Its ancient forbidden magic he used. Bargaining with dark power that should be left unstirred.” Xavier whispered more to himself. “Used our father’s pocket watch to bind the spell, to trap my soul with his.”
I blinked. The pocket watch… Jaxon had been holding it so gently the other night, his fingers tracing the emerald gem set in its ornate silver casing, a look of deep regret in his eyes.
There was a knock at the door, and I stiffened, looking at Xavier with wide eyes. He seemed unfazed, almost as if he had been expecting someone. Was he expecting someone?
The realization that he had been naked and in bed when I had arrived made my stomach flip. Was he expecting someone…In bed?
“I should go,” I said stupidly, standing up and quickly remembering that wasn’t an option.
“Sit, Zara,” Xavier said, his tone unexpectedly soothing. The way he spoke my name, with such a velvety touch, made my insides flutter despite the situation. I hesitated before slowly sitting back on the bed, my gaze fixed nervously on the door.
He wasn’t going to let them in, was he? I didn’t know why it bothered me. I didn’t care for this male, and he was a king, after all. Hell, he had thought I was a prostitute when we first met. Clearly, he was used to women coming to his room at all hours.
My cheeks flushed at the memory, and Xavier watched me curiously, his eyes searching mine briefly before shouting into the room. “Come in, Julian,” Xavier boomed, and I jumpedslightly as the door opened, and a curly-haired blonde male walked in.
His square glasses magnified his dark eyes as he focused intently on a piece of parchment in his hand. His other hand moved dramatically across its surface, seeming to write or scratch at something we couldn’t see.
Julian walked further into the room, his eyes still fixed on the parchment in his hand. His light brown jacket draped loosely over his narrow frame, accentuating his slight build. His wrinkled white shirt, partially open, gave him a disheveled appearance. His pants matched the jacket, and his fuzzy slip-on shoes seemed out of place for his current outfit.
“Good, you are still awake,” Julian began, “I just got word that there was an ambush in the southern territory along the Niverrian border.” He sighed heavily but continued, “Lord Gunnar and his men, in their travels here, were able to stop the attack, and there were minimal casualties.” Julian flipped over the parchment and continued, “They managed to kill all the Daka, and they captured one witch.” Julian let out a snort of a laugh. “Gunnar wrote he was bringing her here to be interrogated, but we will see if she makes it here when he arrives…” Julian trailed off as he finally lifted his gaze from the parchment.
His eyes widened as they landed on me, and he quickly darted his gaze to Xavier. “And you have company; I am so sorry,” he said, turning to leave. But he hesitated, turning back with a puzzled expression. “But wait, you told me to come in?”
“It's fine, Julian. Continue with the report,” Xavier said, his stare never leaving my face. I felt just as anxious and confused as Julian. Why was he letting me hear this?
“Okayyyyy.” Julian stretched out the word but resumed with his report. “The village will need extra men to help repair damages, and I have already sent a letter to the nearest camp toprovide aid.” He paused, glancing nervously between us. “And, um, we are all set for tomorrow, Your Majesty.”
Julian bent at the waist, his posture uneven, as he flared his arms out, and it seemed he wasn’t quite sure where to place them.
