Page 29 of When the Witch Met the Minotaur

I nod. It’s smart, to use those together. Awkward and bumbling for certain, but since he wasn’t born with magic, it’s a smart way to dazzle a crowd. Open spells are spells available to anyone who cares to pick up theVeiled Kingdom Grimoire. It’s a basic book that anyone can get at a library or a bookshop.

“You look less like you think I’m an idiot,” he says.

“I have to admit your spell combination is pretty smart. And you know a ton about rocks.”

He chuckles. “Thanks.”

“Finish your story, Minotaur. What is this secret background of yours?”

“I’m from Mytilene.”

“Isn’t that a noble’s domain?” Last I heard, Mytilene wasn’t a chartered town, but more of a sprawling estate. Granted here in Leafshire Cove, we have Rustion as our noble in charge, but that is more a succession of coincidences and his plentiful money and less about title and land handed down through generations.

“It was. The king owns it now.”

“What happened to the duke?”

“You don’t pay attention to local heralds much, do you?” There is an odd look on his face.

“I don’t. No. I like staying focused on my here and now.”

Nodding, he bites his lower lip. Part of me wants to bite it for him. I shake my head slightly as he opens his mouth to continue talking.

“The duke died suddenly at the end of summer.”

“Finally angered a tenant farmer too much and ended up with a pitchfork in his back?”

He breathes out slow and long. “I understand why you would feel that way, but no. A fever took him.”

“Sickness can strike high as well as low. The true equalizer.”

“So you truly hate nobles?”

“I don’t like fiefdoms. They’re set up to serve the nobles instead of building an environment that encourages a happy life for all inhabitants.”

“I agree. But I’m a hypocrite saying that. You see, I’m the duke’s son.”

My mouth falls open. “You’re a duke?”

Chapter 13

Argos

Here it comes. I’m spoiled. Yes. I grew up with every advantage so why am I hawking wares instead of working to make the lives of those on my parents’ estate better? I’m a noble; I know nothing of real work.

“I’m sorry you lost your father,” Tully says.

I am stunned. This quick-to-anger female usually hits right below the belt at any chance she gets because she sees me as a rival. But she is looking at me with kindness.

“I, um, thank you.”

“Why didn’t you stay with your mother and work to run the estate?”

A familiar weight settles on my chest. “She is still grieving deeply. I haven’t been able to pull her out of the darkness. She isn’t herself. The king demanded his tax paid in full and the wheels were just completely off by that time. I was also wrapped in shock when the king’s collector first arrived.”

“Loss can paralyze us.”

I look up to see her jade-green eyes shining with unshed tears.