Page 61 of When the Witch Met the Minotaur
“Well, this is it,” Cessair says, his tone haughty. Blessed Stones, this male’s mere voice could incite violence. “Your head tenant farmer and estate manager are out of arguments.”
Mathilde touches Argos’s arm briefly. “Hamish has been doing his best.”
Argos nods and points to the money sack. “Will this pay our debt?”
He details the type of coins included and the amounts while Cessair sets every piece on the table. The orc is nothing if not well organized. He inks the amounts on a small roll of parchment, which he stuffs into his vest when he is finished.
I’m holding my breath as Cessair stands and eyes each of us in turn.
“It’s not half of what you owe and you know it, Argos.”
Mathilde bows her head and steadies herself by placing her palms on the table. Argos lets out a frustrated breath.
“But this must buy us time to find more funds,” he says.
Cessair’s eyes are as frosty as the day after Yuletide. “No. As I said, this is your last day. At sundown, it’s over. I’m sorry for your loss.”
I snort. “Sure you are.”
He glares my way and I scowl right back.
“Please vacate the premises and I’ll take those keys,” the orc says, his tone promising action if we don’t comply.
With a labored movement, Mathilde removes a set of large skeleton keys from her dress pocket and holds them out. Argos looks gutted. I have to do something…
“Not so fast, Lady Mathilde of Mytilene.”
We spin to see Rustion striding in with his wife, Nisa, at his side. The tall lion shifter and sunset-hued sprite make quite a pair as they approach Cessair.
Cessair dips his head a fraction to show respect for Lord Rustion’s rank. “My lord.”
Rustion is well known throughout the Veiled Kingdoms because he was the first one to welcome a human into his town.
Nisa hands over a wax-sealed scroll and her wings begin to glow—a sure sign she’s happy. What is going on?
Cessair cracks the seal and reads the contents, his face darkening.
“Share the news with all of us, if you don’t mind,” I say, dropping a nice dollop of snark into my tone.
The orc’s lip lifts around his tusks and Argos starts forward, his great horns lowered as if ready to attack.
I slide between them. “Just tell us already, Orc. Enough with the theatrics.”
Rustion grins, eyes twinkling. “It’s my job to know the troubles of those who live in Leafshire Cove. I have contacts even here in Mytilene. They told me what was afoot.”
Nisa leans in. “And I heard you, Tully, were gathering funds. We put two and two together.”
Cessair’s hand flexes as if it would love to be around my throat in a decidedly non-sexy way, but he seems to gather himself. “The lord and lady have paid your debt. The estate is yours, Lady Mathilde and Lord Argos.”
Cessair tosses the sack of my gathered money on the table. He turns on his heel and leaves us to our cheering.
Argos sweeps his mother into a hug and she laughs and cries, thanking Nisa and Rustion over Argos’s head. Then he grabs me and kisses me soundly while Mathilde takes Nisa’s hands in hers.
Argos’s tongue slips over mine and my core heats immediately. I melt into his huge body and kiss him back. His hands brace the small of my back and he nips at my ear.
“I love you, Witch.”
“I love you, Minotaur.”