The black witch struggled to squirm free, but Thurston's grip on his prisoner remained fast.
Aragon tsked, but his neck prickled. The black witch resembled a maddened orc caught in an ensorcelled net. Deadly and wild, yet thankfully impotent. "What's the punishment for a black witch convicted of the crimes he just confessed to, Master Marshal?"
"Death," Thurston grunted over his squirming captive.
Aragon drew himself upright then arched his brows at the black witch. "Perhaps the magic marshals might allow a kind death if you tell them about Adan Midor and your other patrons." Then Midor would be arrested for hiring a black witch, and Selena would be completely free. As long as court didn't learn about his arrest, although Mother could manage that.
The black witch attempted to lunge at Aragon, but Thurston restrained him. Then the black witch snarled, "You'll rue betraying me, my lord. I'll escape and seek vengeance."
A chill skittered up Aragon's spine. Praise the Goddess the black witch's power was bound. He'd have cursed Aragon otherwise, and a black witch's curse was no trifle. However, Aragon only snorted. He'd not show weakness to the greedy cur. "Escape? The magic marshals have you well trapped." Ignoring the black witch, he nodded at the magic marshals. "Thanks for your assistance in this matter."
"Certainly, my lord. We'll contact you if we require you for the trial." Thurston hauled the black witch from the tavern.
Aragon relaxed and devoured the last of his fish pie. The black witch was captured at last, and although alarming, his threats were hollow. Only Midor endangered Selena now, but Aragon's family could easily outmaneuver a poor country gentleman with no connections. Although Aragon would continue to have Midor watched to ensure he didn't harm Selena.
Tingling suffused Aragon's chest. Finally, he could remove Selena from the brothel and bring her home. Then he could give her his welcoming gift, inspired by her exquisite sketch of a hawk soaring over misty mountains.
The hawk's exultant freedom, which Selena no doubt craved after being trapped in the brothel, shone in her sketch and deserved recognition. So he'd taken it to The Arte of Spells, the magical art gallery on Broad Street, to have their witches enchant it like their moving paintings. An enchanted sketch would make a fine welcoming gift.
He sighed and drained his tankard, his heart squeezing. But this gift must be his last. He could no longer use her confinement as an excuse. Plus, Mother might find out and scold him for giving an unconnected lady gifts.
His pulse quickened. But since Selena would be living with them, at least he could see her whenever he wished. Although he must still keep their relationship platonic—he couldn't abuse her gratitude by seducing her before she could meet other gentlemen.
As Aragon rose, Micah barreled over with a frown. "What was that scuffle about, Lord Treyvan?"
Aragon almost winced as he clapped the huge tavern keeper's shoulder. If only he could have explained earlier without possibly forewarning the black witch. "The magic marshals apprehended a black witch I discovered. I apologize for bringing it to your door, but I couldn't think of another place I could meet a black witch without attracting attention."
Micah smoothed his bristling beard. "'Tis fine. Just wish I'd known. I could of asked the owner of the witch shop around the corner to stop by. The veiled witch is a frequent visitor since she provides the magical ingredient that makes my ale glow. The black witch wouldn't of noticed her."
Aragon suppressed a grimace. Except another witch's presence might have spooked the black witch, and they couldn't have risked him escaping. "Fortunately, nothing went awry."
He clapped Micah's shoulder again then strode from the tavern and bounded down Mermaid Street to the brothel. Selena was waiting for him.
Chapter 13
When Aragon finally knocked, Selena dropped her sketch journal and darted across the room. Her chest loosened as she flung open the door. Thank the Goddess, he'd confronted the black witch unscathed. "Aragon, at last!"
He bounded inside and kicked the door shut. He hoisted her in his arms and twirled her in a circle. "Magic marshals have just captured the black witch, and he'll never harm anyone again."
She clutched his upper arms, her breath stilling. "Truly?"
Aragon nodded with a broad grin.
Giddiness swamping her, Selena burrowed her arms about his waist and pressed her face against his chest. Thanks to Aragon, only her uncle threatened her now, but Aragon's influential family could easily handle a poor country gentleman. Plus, Uncle Adan wouldn't realize where she was until after her presentation at least. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Aragon wrapped his arms around her. "I was glad to help."
She nestled against him. His embrace felt too right to pull away. Her heart squeezed. If only he wanted her as more than a friend.
But after a moment, Aragon coughed then stepped back. "Gather your things, so I can bring you home."
She swallowed and smoothed her dusty-pink skirt. Would the duchess like her? The duke had appeared to, but from what Aragon had said, the duchess was more exacting. However, Selena managed a smile and slipped her current sketch journal and enchanted pencils into her bag then donned her concealing cloak. "I'm ready."
Aragon took her arm, and they slipped down the back stairs and left the brothel. At the nearby stables, he mounted a darling bay mare then offered her his hand.
Tingling flashing across her skin, Selena settled behind him and wrapped her arms about his waist. Her eyes widened as they rode through the crowded streets of Ormas. Upper Ashville was nothing like this. She swallowed when they turned onto a broad street with vast townhouses.
Aragon halted at the grandest townhouse on the street. While he helped her dismount, she gaped at the brick mansion with ornate turrets and numerous windows. Doubtless only the palace eclipsed it. How would a penniless country miss fit here?
After the august butler ushered them inside and took Selena's bag, Aragon escorted her to the drawing room then smiled at the two older ladies on the sofa. "May I present to you Miss Selena Midor, formerly from Upper Ashville in Linwick. Selena, this is my mother, the Duchess of Childes, and her best friend, Lady Keyes."
Her stomach fluttering, Selena swept a deep curtsy and studied Aragon's mother beneath her lashes. The duchess wore an exquisite, sky-blue gown with her icy-blonde hair in a sleek chignon. Goddess, her elegant perfection was daunting.
An impish smile curved the duchess's patrician lips as she scrutinized Selena. "You are precisely as Eldridge described, Miss Midor."
Selena blushed. What exactly had the duke said? The duchess appeared to approve, whatever it was. "Thank you, your grace. Please call me Selena."
Lady Keyes cocked her silvery head and rose. "I should leave so you can become better acquainted. I look forward to seeing you again."
The duchess patted the empty seat beside her once her friend left. "Come sit beside me, Selena. Aragon, go amuse yourself elsewhere."
Selena's skin prickled as she perched on the sofa. Doubtless the duchess would quiz her as soon as her son left.
His jaw firm, Aragon sat on the chair beside Selena. "I'll remain here."
Laughter flickered in the duchess's pale-blue eyes. "As you like." She turned to Selena. "I assume your ambition at court is to secure a husband to protect you from your loathsome uncle."
Selena's heart twinged. "But not just any husband. I want a gentleman I can love." Aragon would be perfect, except he didn't want her as more than a friend. Plus, the duchess probably wouldn't want him courting a penniless country miss with a disreputable uncle.
The duchess waved her hand. "Of course, of course. We'll begin with your presentation ball in two weeks. But before that, we must refresh your wardrobe. I'll arrange an appointment at Celeste's at once. 'Tis the best dress shop in Ormas."
Selena sighed. She didn't care for dress shopping, and the gold she'd bargained back from Madam Lorelei wouldn't last long at such a fashionable shop. "Perhaps a more modest sh
op would be appropriate."
The duchess's pale brows flew upward. "Nonsense, Celeste's is perfect, and don't fret about cost—we'll supply your wardrobe."
Selena stilled, her hands tightening in her lap. Aragon's family must be wealthier than she'd realized. And as determined to help her as he was. "I'm grateful for your generosity, but I don't wish to be a leech."
Aragon frowned at her. "You're no leech."
The duchess chuckled. "And since I've no daughters, I'm eager to have a young lady to outfit and present at last." She tilted her head, eyeing Selena. "You look like you could use a rest before dinner." She turned to her son. "Make yourself useful and escort Selena to her chambers. The blue room in the family hall."
Aragon blinked at his mother then rose and offered Selena his arm.
Selena beamed at Aragon's mother. The duchess had been unexpectedly welcoming with few questions. So much better than she'd feared. "Thanks for your great kindness, your grace."
The duchess smiled back as Selena rose. "'Tis my pleasure."
Aragon escorted Selena upstairs to a sumptuous bedroom with cornflower-blue wallpaper. Releasing her, he said, "I'll return in a moment."
Once he left, she gawked at her temporary chambers. She'd never lived anywhere so fine. Aragon's family must be incredibly wealthy to loan it to her.
Aragon soon returned bearing a package. "A welcoming gift."
Her breath quickened. What perfect gift had he purchased now? She tore open the package then gaped at the framed sketch inside. The hawk she'd drawn last week now soared across the page over the misty mountains of Linwick. Exactly as she'd imagined. Warmth filled her chest.
Aragon blurted, "I had the witches at The Arte of Spells enchant it like they do their moving paintings. I hope you don't mind."
"Mind?" Selena snorted a laugh as she caressed her enchanted sketch. "'Tis lovely. The finest faegift I've ever received. Thank you, Aragon." Her skin tingled as she leaned toward him. If only she could risk kissing him.
Yet unlike at the brothel, Aragon leaned toward her until they almost touched.
She licked her lips. Goddess, was he about to kiss her? Her heart surged.
But then Aragon jerked back. "I'll return to escort you to dinner. My chambers are the door on the left if you need me."
After he bolted, Selena hugged her enchanted sketch. Perhaps he wanted to court her after all. He'd given her a faegift and almost kissed her. Light bubbled in her chest. Despite not falling in love at once, she'd eagerly court him. He was dedicated and kind—and his kisses enthralling.
Her mind awhirl, she unpacked her small bag the servants had left beside the massive bed. Once she arranged her lymon balm scent and other sundries on the dressing table, she fingered the gold gargoyle nestled between her breasts. With the black witch captured, she'd no need for a charm warding against magic. But the charm was lovely. Plus, Aragon had given it to her, and she enjoyed wearing a token of his interest. She smiled and released the gold necklace.
Already wearing her nicest dress, she didn't change for dinner. Instead, she curled on her bed and sketched until Aragon returned. She almost blushed when he took her arm with a warm smile. As he escorted her downstairs, she darted glances at him. When would he kiss her again? Soon, hopefully.
When they joined his brothers in the drawing room, Selena tilted her head and blinked at them. Though Aragon had mentioned they were two years apart, the three brothers appeared like triplets except for one's pale-blue eyes.
Aragon gestured toward his brother in priest robes. "Selena, this is Mel, also known as Priest Melchior Hawke. Mel, Miss Selena Midor. Mother shall be presenting her."
His smile kind, Mel bowed. "Pleasure to meet you."
Selena smiled back. She could see a boyhood Mel visiting poor villagers like Aragon had described. "Likewise."
Aragon turned to his brother with their mother's eyes. "And this is Hawke, also known as Lord Beza. He goes by our surname since he despises his given name. Hawke, Selena."
Hawke grimaced at his brother. "You would too if you were stuck with a wretched name like Beza." An impish grin replaced his grimace as his gaze flicked between Aragon and Selena. He captured her free hand and kissed her fingers. "Now, where did my stuffy brother unearth a delectable lady like you?"
Selena stiffened and extracted her hand. The younger gentleman was as flirtatious as Aragon had warned. "A brothel."
Hawke snickered. "Truly? I can't imagine that."
Aragon glared at his youngest brother. "'Tis true, although you'd better not share that with anyone other than Wren."
As Hawke snickered again, Mel slanted her a concerned frown. "Why were you in a brothel?"
Selena shrugged. "I was attempting to evade the black witch my uncle hired." She beamed at Aragon and squeezed his arm. "But Aragon handled him for me, so I could leave."
Mel and Hawke gaped at Aragon, but before they could reply, their parents swept into the drawing room, and everyone proceeded to dinner.
Once they'd began the first course, the duke flashed an avuncular smile at Selena. "Glad Aragon rescued you from that brothel at last." He grinned at his wife. "Now Caro can stop fretting ill might befall you before she could present you."
The duchess narrowed her eyes at him. "I wasn't concerned because of her presentation. A brothel is dangerous for a lady."
Her throat thickening at the duchess's concern, Selena sipped her whitekrab soup. So delicious after the brothel's plain fare. "Aragon ensured I was well protected."
The duchess beamed at her eldest son. "Of course, but 'tis good you're safe with us now."
Hawke winked at Selena over his wine. "Definitely. Mother might confine herself to meddling with you and forgo us."
As the duke chuckled and the duchess pursed her lips, Aragon snorted and served Selena seared fish and sparrow grass. "She might, if you didn't find a new lady every week."
Shaking his head at his brothers, Mel asked Selena about her interests, and a lively discussion about sketching and riding lasted through the delectable dinner. Selena laughed more than she had in ages as she devoured each course. But tears prickled her eyes at dessert—karamel nut sweetice. Aragon's family was making sure to include her. She'd not enjoyed that since her parents had died.
Beneath the table, she grasped Aragon's hand. Thank the Goddess he'd stumbled into the brothel. Not only had he rescued her from the black witch, but he'd brought her home to his family, who were as kind as he was. If he truly wanted to court her, everything would be perfect.
Chapter 14
After the next council meeting, Lord Islaye waited until only Aragon and Devon remained before he said, "The magic marshals unearthed decisive evidence against that black witch you discovered, Lord Treyvan. They'll interrogate him for the next month, but then he'll hang."
His chest easing, Aragon nodded from his seat beside Devon. The black witch would definitely never threaten Selena again. And if he implicated Midor, neither would her uncle. "When he does, please let me know. Thanks for your help handling him."
"Not a problem. I'm glad another black witch has been captured." The count smiled at Aragon then inclined a respectful nod at Devon before departing.
Devon arched his brows with a faint frown. "Now that she's living with you, how is Miss Midor?"
Tingling warmth flooded Aragon. With Selena living so close, keeping their relationship platonic was arduous. Every morning he burned to greet her with a kiss. But she'd so few opportunities that he couldn't steal her chance to meet other gentlemen. And although she appeared to enjoy his company, she simply might be grateful. So he forced himself to treat her like a sister. Except a brother didn't burn to kiss his sister. "Well. She's enjoying being part of a family again, and Mother is ecstatic to have a lady to present at last."
Devon flashed a wry smile. "I suppose she's the reason for your mother's upcoming ball."
Aragon winced. Mother's elaborate preparations were enough to send a sensible gentleman mad
, but he couldn't escape them. He must support Selena. "Yes. And Mother has decreed Selena can't be seen before then, especially in her country attire. Although Mother is handling that now."
Devon's mouth twitched. "I'm surprised she waited so long."
Aragon snorted. She'd not wanted to, but sometimes even Mother couldn't control everything. "With the season underway, she couldn't get an appointment at her favorite dress shop until today. Which seemed to relieve Selena."
Devon arched a brow. "How refreshing. I'll definitely be interested in meeting your fascinating lady soon."
Aragon grinned at his friend and rose. Good, because Selena must meet Devon before being presented. Familiarity with the king would lend her cachet. "Come by for dinner sometime."
Devon rose as well, his eyes dark. "Would tonight be too soon?"
Aragon blinked as they left the council room. Devon was free already? He must be interested. Did he mean to court Selena? Aragon's stomach hardened, but he managed a smile. "No, that should be fine. Same time as usual."
When he returned home, Selena and Mother were still out, so he fetched a book then waited for them in the drawing room. They finally returned an hour before dinner.
His breath seizing, Aragon gaped at Selena as she sat on the sofa beside him. Her shabby country dress had been replaced by a sleek gown in a rich raspberry that made her freckled skin glow. Goddess, she'd been pretty before, but now she was stunning. How would he ever resist kissing her? "I see the dress shopping went well." Too well.
Selena blushed but inclined her head. "Thank you. My new gowns are gorgeous—but the quantity your mother deemed essential was staggering."
Although he should stop staring, he eyed her new gown. His heart fluttered. She was more spellbinding than a siren luring a sailor. "Well, you'll be grateful for your modish attire when Devon joins us for dinner tonight."
The Spellbinding Courtship: Calatini Tales Book 0.5 Page 8