Page 90 of The Noldrin Witch

“Ha!” Fabian snorted as he slammed the door behind him.

*****

The next morning, Elise was up before dawn waiting for Kurt. She searched the entire castle for him. The workshop, the maze, the entrance gates, but nothing.

Had he left already? It couldn’t be. She had not the slightest idea when he would return, and the thought of him leaving like this sat poorly with her. She should have confessed her deal with Seth long ago. How foolish she had been to think she could keep it hidden forever.

With some luck, Seth was gone for good. She didn’t want to dwell so much on the kiss. That had been foolish too, and her collection of regrets was already large enough.

One might think that when it comes to romance, if things become too complicated, it is wiser to let them go. Some would even say that if the world keeps trying to separate two people, perhaps there is a good reason for it. All of that is true and wise, but not the sort of advice a young woman pursued by a gentleman with the duke’s looks would be eager to follow. And who could have blamed Elise? After all, half the kingdom would have given an arm and a leg for the chance to be with Kurt.

One of those ladies was, in fact, waiting in the workshop when Elise went downstairs. Her blonde hair was tied in a tight bun, almost as high as her hopes of catching Kurt in marriage.

“Adelle,” Elise said as she practically ran toward her.

The noblewoman raised a brow and took a deep breath at the sight of her. “Elise.”

“Have you seen Kurt?”

“Why?”

“I need to talk to him.”

“I hope it’s nothing that can’t wait a few weeks,” Adelle replied dryly.

Just like that, Elise’s hopes plummeted to the stone floor.

“A few weeks?”

“He had to leave before dawn. Didn’t he tell you?”

Adelle seemed uncomfortable talking to her, and Elise wondered if Fabian had already filled her head with his theories about the supposed private celebration she had held in her chamber the night before.

“There you are, Elise!” Fabian greeted her with a pernicious tone.

The entire workshop paused as Elise approached the fairy, who was proudly wearing what looked like a brand-new pair of bright blue leggings. The garment clung so tightly that his modesty seemed to have surrendered any hope of privacy.

“Very nice pants,” Elise said.

Fabian twirled around for everyone to appreciate the design. “Thank you.”

The crowd nodded in approval.

As if he had achieved some grand feat, the fairy puffed out his chest. “I’m meeting with the king today to discuss the production of the potion and future projects. It will be my first official audience, and I have to thank you, darling.”

“I was only doing my job,” Elise said happily.

“Well, well,” the fairy said with a knowing smile. “Of course, I haven’t forgotten about last night.”

Elise swallowed hard. She could see the sudden interest in everyone’s faces. A tug at her sleeve made her turn.

“He’s already gone around telling everyone you held a debauch last night,” Emery whispered. “A carnival of sin under your sheets, he said.”

“Good Lord!” Elise gasped.

“He swears you brought half the unmarried men in the court to sweat with you in the vapors of Hell. He claims he couldn’t make out anyone because they all escaped through your window the moment he opened the door. There are suspects, of course. Your duke is the leading candidate.”

Elise could feel the eyes of the entire workshop on her. They all looked expectant, eager for her to confirm or deny the rumor.