Mist-Torn 01 - The Mist-Torn Witches by Barb Hendee Read Free Book Online

inside the castle wall?” Amelie asked in shock, gripping the horse’s mane. This was the first thing she’d said since last night, and Jaromir glanced up at her. “Of course. It’s safest here inside the wall.”
    This seemed like a given to him, but to Céline it was not. Sub-Prince Damek lived quite differently. From what she understood, only his soldiers, his mistresses, his servants, and a number of minor nobles all currying his favor populated his home.
    This Castle Sèone was more like a bustling town.
    Jaromir kept moving onward and upward though the people and the shops and dwellings until they reached another bridge, this one shorter and leading across a gap to a huge wooden doorway at the front of the castle. It was unguarded, but Céline noted a pulley system on the other side that would allow the bridge to be raised, thus cutting off access to the castle.
    “Here we are,” Jaromir said, stopping at the beginningof the bridge and reaching his hand up to Amelie. “Hop down.”
    She ignored his hand and climbed off by herself. Céline admired her spirit, but when Pavel moved to help her down, Céline let him, and then she grabbed the stirrup to hold herself when her legs nearly gave way. She’d never in her life spent a whole night on the back of a horse. She was going to be sore for days.
    “You all right?” Jaromir asked her, frowning.
    “I’m fine,” she answered, trying to straighten, and walking as quickly as she could to Amelie’s side.
    They crossed the bridge and entered the walled courtyard of the castle. Jaromir and Pavel were still leading their horses, but a boy appeared from nowhere to take their reins.
    “Be generous with the grain,” Jaromir told him. “They’ve both been going all night.”
    “Yes, sir,” the boy answered, leading the horses away.
    Then Jaromir and Pavel strode across the courtyard—leaving Céline and Amelie little choice but to follow. They moved through a large entryway inside the castle itself, down a stone passage, and emerged into what appeared to be a great common dining hall. An enormous burning hearth had been built in the wall directly across from the arched entrance. Servants and a few soldiers in tan tabards were milling around, but everyone came to attention when Jaromir walked in. Thehall seemed alive with dogs as well, spaniels, bloodhounds, and wolfhounds. A wolfhound with a smattering of white on its muzzle had been lying by the fire, but it scrambled stiffly to its feet and attempted to run to Jaromir.
    “Lizzie,” he said when the dog reached him. “You’re getting too old to run.” He stroked her face while she continued to express great joy at his return by licking his hands.
    Then he glanced at a servant carrying a tray and said, “Go and tell my lord I’m back, and that I brought the seer with me.”
    The servant set down the tray and hurried off.
    Céline couldn’t help wondering what it must be like to just give orders and have everyone run to do her bidding. She didn’t think she would particularly like it.
    Still petting the dog, Jaromir turned to Pavel. “You’re dismissed. Go and find yourself something to eat.”
    As Pavel headed off, Jaromir walked over to a side table and poured two goblets of wine. The dog followed at his heels. Carrying the goblets back, he held one out to Amelie. “Here.”
    She didn’t touch it.
    “Oh, just take it,” he said. “You haven’t had anything all night. I’ll arrange breakfast as soon as I can.”
    Céline reached out and took the other goblet. She hated depending on him, but it was looking more and more like he was in control here, andher own normal sense of survival was beginning to surface. “Thank you,” she said.
    He didn’t answer her and just raised one eyebrow at Amelie, who finally reached out and took the goblet. “Thank you,” she said, but her tone hardly suggested thanks.
    To Céline’s surprise, Jaromir flashed a grin, as if he found Amelie amusing. That was