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Sorin froze at the icy voice that came from behind them. He fought the protective urge to push Scarlett behind him as he slowly turned to face the High Witch. She wasn’t alone. They were surrounded by Witches, all with black ashwood arrows aimed at their throats, as they stepped from the trees. It was the same way they were always greeted when they entered the Witch lands.

Do not shield,he warned Scarlett.

Why would I not shield against arrows?

Witches are powerful enchantresses. Those arrows will penetrate a shield easily, and they will view your shield as an attack and permission to kill.

You cannot be serious?

Sorin did not respond, and he felt Scarlett stiffen beside him, moving imperceptibly closer to him.

“Your Majesty,” the High Witch said coolly with a low bow. The Witches surrounding them did not move. “You have come here twice in two days. Both times without invitation or warning.”

The accusation and threat were clear in her tone.

He saw Scarlett raise her chin as she said, “Yesterday I was brought here by Shirina. Today I come of my own accord.”

“Is it not rude to invite yourself into someone’s home?” the High Witch asked in that ruthless, calm voice of hers.

“I apologize for the lack of propriety,” Scarlett replied, “but I come on urgent matters that could not wait.”

The High Witch was quiet, her eyes fixed on Scarlett, contemplating. Then they dragged to Sorin, who stared right back into those violet eyes, unwavering. “I see you have saved your twin flame,” she said to Scarlett, her eyes still on Sorin. Witches rarely spoke to males. Not unless there was no other option. “I will meet with you, but not with him present. Males have no place in this meeting.”

“She will not meet with you alone,” Sorin snarled, his lip curling back.

“Do not speak to her,” growled a black-haired, dark-skinned Witch to his right.

“Do not be rude, Arantxa,” the High Witch said smoothly.

“While he is my husband and twin flame, he is also my Second and must be there as well,” Scarlett interjected. “I cannot complete the task at hand without him.”

The High Witch’s eyes snapped back to Scarlett, and those violet eyes narrowed. “Stand down,” she said shortly to the Witches, and they did so immediately. “Arantxa and Jetta, accompany us to the castle. The rest of you return to your kingdoms.” There were flashes of light as the other Witches disappeared among smoke. “Come with me,” the High Witch said, brushing past them. They fell into step behind her, Arantxa and Jetta taking up the rear, arrows still strung on their bows and at the ready.

They reached a room in the castle, and before they entered, the High Witch said, “Arantxa and Jetta guard the doors. No one comes in.”

“You are going to meet with them alone? Here?” Arantxa blurted out.

“Are you questioning me?” the High Witch asked viciously.

“Of course not, Lady,” Arantxa replied, bowing her head.

Sorin and Scarlett followed the High Witch into… Well, Sorin wasn’t quite sure how to describe the room. It was unlike any other room he had ever seen in the Witch Realm. It was almost warm and inviting.

Almost.

There was a hearth on one wall with a sofa facing it. Bookshelves lined either side.On the other wall, there were a couple of comfortable looking chairs with a table between them. At the other end of the room, though, were bottles and cauldrons. Spices and ingredients lined shelves upon shelves along the back wall. It was almost as if it were a lab of some sort. The scents of rosemary and thyme and sage filled the air.

“This is your alchemy room,” he breathed before he realized he was speaking. A Witch’s alchemy room was sacred to her. It was a private area where others were rarely allowed, save for lovers. It was her sanctuary to hone and practice her craft.

“Yes,” the High Witch snapped. She had tossed her cloak along the back of a chair and was back by the cauldrons, stirring one. “Very few others have been in this room, and only two others who were not Witches.”

“My mother,” Scarlett supplied, examining the books on the bookshelves.

Sorin’s head snapped to Scarlett. “What?”

Scarlett winced at the realization that this was yet another secret Eliné had kept from him. A mixture of anger and sorrow filled him.

“Eliné was sworn to secrecy, Prince,” the High Witch said tightly from across the room. “She was bound by ancient magic to never breathe a word of what happened when she was here.”