Page 167 of Castings & Curses

“Her magic?” he asked, the mischief in his eyes replaced by curiosity.

I nodded, rising from my seat to walk toward the window. The sprawling estate, the symbol of my status and power, lay before me, yet my mind filled with thoughts of Sage. “Yes. It’s so different, raw and unpretentious. Unlike the power we deal with, hers seems to bring peace.”

Vasile nodded. “The villagers have always believed in her. Her abilities have healed many, and because of that, they offer her goodwill.”

I inhaled deeply of the fresh morning air and let it out slowly. I sat back at my desk, my fingers steepled. “Perhaps this is what I’ve been missing. Why all this”—I swept my hand toward the window overlooking the vineyards—“does not satisfy me, even as I struggle to defend it. She is beloved. Respected as well.”

“I daresay you’re respected, my lord,” Vasile said.

“Because I’m feared. I spend so little time with the villagers. I want to learn more about them. Perhaps Sage would be willing to teach me her ways.”

Vasile’s eyebrow rose at my unintended use of her first name before he schooled his features. “Very well. But remember, my lord, a witch’s world is unlike ours. It thrives not on power and command, but love and respect.”

I nodded, the challenge igniting an excitement I hadn’t felt in a long time. As I prepared to dive into the unknown, I found myself anticipating the journey.

For once, my desire wasn’t driven by a lust for power, but by a quest for understanding and unraveling a mystery that suddenly made my life feel much less mundane. Sage Hawthorn was no longer just the village healer. She had become my curiosity, an enigma I was eager to explore. I could not deny that her magical abilities fascinated me. What must it be like to wield that strange power?

I knew something of witches because we’d always welcomed them on the estate to tend to the villagers’ needs, but beyond that, I knew little. I tried to convince myself that I wanted to see Mistress Hawthorne again for purely educational reasons, but of course, my mind persisted in resurrecting the image of her lovely face and a figure that could not be masked by her simple clothing. I longed to hear the music of her laughter again, and her sweet voice as she explained the uses of each herb hanging from the rafters of her cottage as she’d done last night…

Just as I was about to speak, a servant arrived.

“Lord Lazar, Radu Mirea is here,” the servant informed me.

I glanced at Vasile, a knowing look passing between us. “Ah, yes. As we’d discussed, I’d requested an audience with him,” I replied, nodding to my adviser. I forcibly put thoughts of Sage from my mind and focused on matters at hand.

Vasile nodded briskly. “Indeed, my lord.”

The servant shuffled his feet. “Shall I show him in?”

“Yes, please,” I answered, trying to keep my tone composed.

Moments later, Radu strolled into the study, arrogance oozing from every pore. He was a tall, swarthy man with sharp features and hawklike eyes that missed little. A silver sword hung at his side. Rumor had it he’d won it from an officer by cheating at cards. “Lord Lazar, how good of you to summon me.”

Ignoring his condescending tone, I offered a curt nod, gesturing for him to take a seat. “We have matters to discuss.”

He settled into a chair, scanning the room with an air of superiority. “What is this about, Cristian? I hope it’s not an attempt to reclaim your land.”

“It is precisely about that, Radu,” I replied, using his first name as rudely as he had mine. “I believe we should come to an agreement, one that benefits both of us.”

He drew thumb and forefinger over his thin black mustache. “Oh, and what do you propose?”

“I’ll offer you a fair price for the land,” I said, trying to keep my emotions in check. “Even more than it’s worth. In exchange, you will relinquish it back to my possession.”

Radu’s laugh was as grating as ever. “Why would I give up such a valuable property?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” I replied. “I won’t let you continue to profit from my family’s loss.”

He slouched back in his chair and regarded me with amusement. “Perhaps you’d like to make a wager for the land…in addition to more? I’d like to test my best stallion against that gray of yours in a race. And I’ve had my eye on the parcel with the pond…”

“Never,” I retorted, my frustration finally bubbling to the surface. “I would never be foolish enough to gamble with a cheat and scoundrel like you.”

When Radu merely smirked, I stood, my hands clenching into fists. “Enough of this. I’ll find another way to get what’s rightfully mine.”

Vasile, who’d been standing behind me, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “My lord, perhaps it’s best to take a moment to gather yourself,” he murmured.

I took a deep breath. “You’re right, Vasile. Show this vile dog out, before I do something I’ll regret.”

As they left the study, a mixture of frustration and anger churned in my chest. I would find a way to reclaim what was rightfully mine, no matter the cost. Radu may have won the land, but I would win back my family’s honor.

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