Page 21 of The Prince's Curse

“As well as can be expected,” the man replied. “I believe it’s your advice he seeks today, not your potions.”

“Of course.” Dexil gave a soft bow of his head. “I was just finishing up here. Please inform him I’ll be there at once.”

With a curt nod, the man turned to stride out, once again ignoring Benjin as though he didn’t exist. Perhaps it was that noblewoman’s earlier snub or the fresh sting of his failure that compelled Benjin to speak up against his better instincts.

“You know, it wouldn’t kill you to be more polite.”

Surprise flickered over the man’s face. He paused by the door, glancing at Benjin. “Excuse me?”

Benjin crossed his arms, refusing to be intimidated by the man’s imperious stare. “You heard me. Usually, it’s customary to apologize to someone when you almost clobber them in the face with a door.”

The man’s brow shot up. “You want me to apologize because you were in my way?”

Annoyance shot through Benjin.“Iwas in the way? You’re the one who came barreling in here without a care in the world. Pardon me for daring to use a door for its intended function.”

The man took a moment to rake his gaze over Benjin from head to toe. Benjin’s skin tingled at having those intense emerald eyes so focused on him.

After a moment, the man huffed and turned away. “My apologies if you’re upset, but I don’t have time to waste on nonsense. Good day.”

To Benjin’s astonishment, the infuriating man swept past him and out the door without waiting for a response.

“Apologynotaccepted!” Benjin called after him as the door clicked shut. Only once he was gone did Benjin realize that theGrand Magus was staring at him, his mouth agape and his eyes wide. Benjin flushed. “Sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to make a scene. I’ll, um, get out of your hair now. Goddess’ blessing upon you.”

Mentally kicking himself for ruining whatever fleeting hope he still had for future employment here, Benjin hunched his shoulders and reached for the door.

“Hold on a moment, lad.”

Benjin froze with his hand on the door, waiting with rising anxiety as the Grand Magus approached. The expression on Dexil’s face conveyed a mix of astonished amusement. “Do you have any idea who that was?”

Benjin shrugged. “Should I, sir? He looked like just another stuck-up…um, I mean, another noble to me, sir.”

Dexil’s keen violet gaze weighed Benjin in much the same way the stranger’s had, though Benjin sensed less judgment and more curiosity.

“You don’t much care for the nobility, do you?”

Benjin considered lying, but it seemed pointless now. He’d already dashed whatever chance he had of securing the apprenticeship. He might as well be honest.

“Not really, sir. In my experience, they’re selfish and self-centered, always looking for the next way they can screw someone else over for personal gain. Uh, no offense, sir.”

The Grand Magus smiled the first genuine smile Benjin had seen since entering the palace. “None taken, lad. Despite my station, I assure you that I don’t entirely disagree.” Dexil examined him. “Still, I sense there’s more you’re not telling me. Does this have anything to do with that baroness whose spellbook you borrowed?”

Shook buzzed through Benjin. Had the mage used some sort of spell on him to glean that information? Or had he simply made a lucky guess?

“She, um, wasn’t too happy when she found out,” he admitted. “My mother had worked in her household for over a decade, but she had us both tossed out on the street less than a day later. Things have been rough ever since. That’s why I applied for this position in the first place, sir.”

Dexil studied Benjin, his expression unreadable. Benjin braced himself for the mage’s reaction. Would he be angry at Benjin for wasting his time? Have him punished for insulting that noble?

To his utter shock, Dexil held out a hand, his face beaming. “I fear I may have been too hasty in dismissing you before. The position is yours if you want it.”

Benjin stared at the offered hand, barely daring to breathe. Numb with shock, he grasped Dexil’s firm grip and shook.

“T-thank you, sir. I swear, you won’t regret giving me this chance.”

“I’m sure I won’t,” Dexil said, still grinning. “Congratulations, Benjin. You are my new apprentice.”

eight

Haldric

---