Page 70 of The Noldrin Witch

Elise cast a quick glance toward Kurt, and he caught the worry in her big, beautiful dark eyes.

“Fabian,” Kurt called.

The fairy stumbled at the sight of him.

Whispers spread through the workshop, followed by a caw from Elise’s crow.

“Your Grace!” Fabian exclaimed.

At once, the fairy’s demeanor shifted to a most gracious warmth.

Kurt, who valued an economy of words above all else, proceeded to settle the matter then and there.

“I’m here to set the rumor straight about the room that was assigned to Elise,” he said. “I can confirm it was not my doing. I assure you there’s nothing between us.”

More murmurs and curious glances rippled around the potion tables, but Kurt paid them no heed.

Fabian, seemingly unsurprised by the commotion, let out a deep breath.

“That silly thing.” He cast a stern glance in Elise’s direction for the briefest moment before his practiced smile returned to his gaunt face.

“Adelle and I were not sure at first,” the fairy said in a pleased tone.

“But...” Kurt turned toward Adelle, who was grimacing in Fabian’s direction.

The fairy immediately faltered.

“I mean...I was able to verify that you had nothing to do with the matter.”

Kurt, blessed with as much wit as good looks, immediately realized that Adelle and Fabian had been behind the gossip involving Elise.

Disappointed and somehow confused, he found himself unable to look directly at Adelle. He had seen her at her worst, but he had never known her to be capable of such dishonorable conduct.

She must have sensed his unease, for she reached for his arm again.

“Kurt,” she said in the softest of tones, batting her eyelashes at him.

Kurt could only look at Elise, who by now seemed completely overcome by the scene. The entire workshop had stopped to watch the exchange. He figured Sebastian had perhaps been the one responsible for giving Elise a chamber. At any rate, he didn’t want to dig any deeper into the situation for fear of exposing her.

“The matter is settled then,” was all Kurt said as he removed his arm from Adelle’s grip.

As he walked toward one of the exits, he could tell Adelle was preparing to follow him. He had no wish to prolong the spectacle for those gathered there, so he did not stop.

On his way out, however, the arrival of an army of royal staff in the catacombs brought him to a halt. Dozens of servants descended upon the place as though a catastrophe had been declared and they had come to evacuate every fairy.

The small army quickly surrounded Elise, seated her in the most comfortable chair in sight, and practically began fanning her while asking if there was anything they could do for her.

While Elise was being treated like a newly crowned queen, another group made its way toward Fabian. This time, the king’s staff wore stern expressions, and after a brief explanation, requested that he accompany them to the royal chambers.

“What did you tell the king?” Fabian shouted toward Elise.

Elise seemed overwhelmed and only managed a small shake of her head.

Kurt took this as clear confirmation of his suspicions. It had been Sebastian who had arranged for Elise to stay in the castle. He knew Sebastian well enough to recognize his handiwork. He felt like a fool once more.

He sighed as he walked past the crowded area. As a man of war, he understood that some battles could not be won.

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