Page 61 of Ruled By Magic

“How could you be with him?” Hex yelled, her face creased in shock. Her fists clenched. “This makes no sense. Does this mean you’re going to stay with him?”

Despair filled my chest. There was no good way to destroy her happiness. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

I braced for rage, but none came. Hex was blank, unreadable.

“We need to talk. Without him breathing down your neck. We’ll go to my tent.” Her stare impaled Leo. “Don’t you try to stop her. I don’t know what brainwashing fucking magic you’ve used on her, but—”

“Okay, we’ll talk. Just let me get dressed.” Perhaps this would be easier in private. Perhaps not. I couldn’t blame Hex.

Leo zipped the canvas closed.

Inside, strength left me, and I collapsed facedown onto the bed. He rubbed my back. “Are you alright?”

“I don’t know. This won’t be an easy conversation.” I rolled over to see him. “How are you doing?”

He sat down next to me and held out his arm. I curled against him with a sigh, his warmth and the soft fabric of his suit soothing against my naked skin.

“I’m fine. I wish I was as powerful as she thinks I am. If I could brainwash people with magic, my job would be easy.”

I laughed and pulled back to examine him. Bruises and a cut lip, but nothing major.

He smiled. “That was the best first impression I’ve ever made. Caught seconds away from fucking my girlfriend, then beaten up by her friend. Spectacular.”

Girlfriend.

Such a casual word, but hearing him use it sent a thrill through me.

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, that’s what you were planning on doing, was it?”

“Yes. And if you don’t put some clothes on I’m going to do it anyway, Zantus curse who hears.”

I ran a hand over his chest. “Oh. You don’t enjoy being left in need? I’m afraid I don’t feel sorry for you.”

“You’ll pay for that comment later. Get dressed.”

I threw my clothes back on, and Leo tried without success to straighten his shirt and tame his hair. He was always so immaculate. This must be killing him. I helped to flatten out the spikes. He slid his hands up my skirt and pulled me against him.

“We need to go out.” My breath quickened as his fingers dug into my ass.

“I know we do.” He released me with a sigh, and we left the tent. Peter showed Leo a makeshift table set up with paper and a pen.

Leo ran a hand over his forehead. In the light, the circles around his eyes stood out starkly against his skin, his exhaustion more obvious. “This will take a while. I have to use specific wording, and there’s a code. I’ll also need to contact the courthouse, to tell them I’m safe and to expect you. Otherwise, they’ll arrest you when you appear with these. Do you have a working link-up?”

“We do, but it’s a sporadic signal,” Peter replied. “Messages get through better than voice calls.”

“It’ll have to do. There’s an emergency number I can message. Not ideal, but I don’t see another option. We’ll have to risk it. Do you know what happened at the palace, after the attack?”

Peter considered him. “The attackers wanted you in particular. When they realized you’d slipped their net, I doubt they’d have stayed long. I’d guess the Assembly has moved back into the palace. I’ll collect circulars when I’m in the city.”

“I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”

Leo worked his way round the rest of the group, shook hands, and introduced himself. Even after such a humiliating first meeting, he made it look easy. How did he do it? He sat at the table and got to work.

I searched for Hex, stomach filled with lead. Honesty. I had to be honest, however awkward the conversation. She deserved it.

Hex stood to the side, staring at the shadowed forest. In the sunlight, she looked worn down with her long, almost black hair pulled into a low ponytail, and her face thinner than I remembered.

“Hex?”

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