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Aria turned to the witch beside them and shoved Mina forward. “Maggie, check her. Please. Tell me if she’s been hurt.”
“Of course,” Maggie said, cracking her knuckles.
Mina snorted. “It’s good to see you too, Maggie. But is this really necessary?”
The witch narrowed her eyes and grabbed her by the chin. Mina felt the crackle of her magic hit her skin, and Maggie pursed her lips. “I’ve been hiking for days, with a stubborn handmaiden nagging me constantly. Of course, I’m going to make sure it’s been worth it.”
Mina sighed. “If you’d sent word, I would’ve asked the king to send a carriage or horses or something.”
“Sent word?” Aria gaped at her. “Up until a few seconds ago, I was sure I’d find you’d been turned into a mindless bloodsucker.”
Mina winced and pulled out of Maggie’s grasp. She glanced up to the throne where Erik sat watching them, his eyes full of an unreadable emotion. She turned back to Aria. “Please don’t use that word. There’s so much our teachers got wrong about this place, about the king.”
“He kidnapped you.” Aria shook her head. “He’s a monster.”
Mina winced again and took her hand. “Please stop. We’ll talk about this elsewhere okay. Just…hold on. Let me introduce you.” Mina turned to the throne. “Your Majesty. Please allow me to introduce Marguerite Wudan, the court witch of Distova, and my handmaiden and best friend, Lady Aria Van Helsing.”
Erik’s eyes flashed, and he sat up straighter. “Van Helsing? That is an old name. A very distinguished family.”
Aria’s nostrils flared. “I wouldn’t really know. My parents died when I was young. I was raised by the king.”
Erik nodded. “Well, you are both very welcome in my court. Lucy if you would, please find them someplace to rest and wash up. I’m sure they are exhausted from their journey. Oh, and have some food brought to them. I’m sure it’s been some time since they enjoyed a decent meal.”
Lucy stepped out from the side of the room and gave him a formal bow. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Walking forward, Lucy smiled at Mina, but something seemed off. There was something wrong, but she knew that the throne room wasn’t the place to ask.
“There are rooms near ours that I think will suit nicely. Please, come with me,” Lucy said, extending an arm to the door they’d entered through.
“Can’t I stay with you?” Aria asked, clinging to Mina’s arm.
“You had a room of your own at home, so you’ll have one here too,” Mina said, pulling her along, following Lucy out of the room. As much as she missed Aria. Sharing a bed with her so close to where Erik rested felt wrong, dangerous somehow.
Maggie trailed behind them and paused in the hall as the doors closed behind them. “Is there a court witch here? I should pay my respects.”
Lucy turned back to look at her and frowned. “Yes. Andrea the White.” She cleared her throat and gestured to one of the guards. “You, escort her to Andrea please.”
The man gave her a curt bow and began walking Maggie in the opposite direction. Mina’s heart lurched painfully in her chest. “But...don’t you have to stay to protect her from the curse?”
Aria tensed. “What curse?”
Maggie turned and folded her hands behind her back. “We’re fine now that we’re outside of the mist. But, I’ve enchanted the bracelet she’s wearing. It will protect her. It recharges from my aura when I’m near. So, she should be fine.”
“Don’t worry Cousin, it’s how most of our visitors travel freely,” Lucy said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“Okay. Thank you.” Mina nodded and smiled at Aria. “Let’s go get you cleaned up.”
“Cousin?” Aria raised her eyebrow. “You have one cousin, and he’s male the last time I checked.”
“We thought Lucy had died with my aunt and uncle ages ago, before you and I became close. Erik brought us together again.”
“Erik?” Aria shook her head. “We clearly have a lot to catch up on.”
“Indeed,” Lucy said, looping her arm through Mina’s free arm.
“I still can’t believe you’re both here,” Mina said, walking slowly between them.
“Did you really think I’d miss your birthday?” Aria chuckled.
