II
"Sire, you know who she is?"
Jonathan tore his eyes away from her where she spoke with the King across the room in order to pay attention to what Max was saying. He had been unable to look away from her ever since they shared that dance. "Who is she?"
"She's the sorceress. She advises the King. He keeps her up in a tower in the castle. She's powerful and dangerous, so she's not allowed out. You gotta be careful of her," Max warned.
So perhaps it was a spell that Jonathan had fallen under. Perhaps it was her magic that made him feel this way. Even knowing that, however, he found himself unbothered. He wanted her anyway.
He watched her as she walked toward where he and Max stood. She looked like she was floating. Probably more magic.
"Hello," she said, greeting Max as she approached.
Max bowed politely but said nothing.
She looked at the old man and to Goodman Hart and back. A smile appeared on her face almost without her realizing. "Oh you're very important, Max," she said.
Both Jonathan and Max were taken aback by that. They looked at each other, neither knowing what to say.
"You're both important. But you, Max…well, you two might be the only people who know that Goodman Hart would be nothing without you."
"That's true," Jonathan said before Max got the chance to be modest. "And it's also true that most people wouldn't know that. Which begs the question of how you knew?"
Her eyes flashed with amusement. "I am not most people."
Jonathan chuckled at that. No, she certainly wasn't. "Max, could you please ready the carriage?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the woman in front of him.
Max hesitated but said nothing. He nodded and went out to the stables without a word.
"I should like to see more of you," Jonathan told her boldly.
Her brow jumped up in surprise. "Really?"
"Certainly. I enjoyed dancing with you and the short time we talked together. I think I would enjoy spending more time with you. If you might be interested in such a thing."
He certainly was charming. And he was turning that charm on her. And she liked it. Yes, let him think he was the one wooing her. Let him smile and flatter her and profess innocent and earnest intentions. She would have to test the waters to see how far his efforts might go toward her goal. "I might be interested," she replied coyly. "When would you want to see more of me?"
Jonathan was encouraged by her response, though he hoped he wouldn't overplay his hand. "Now," he softly said.
She did not speak. She only smiled.
"Max is bringing the carriage around for you to accompany me."
But she shook her head. "I mustn't go with you," she told him.
Jonathan felt the sting of rejection knot in his stomach. He'd pushed too far. "Of course. I shouldn't have thought…"
"My tower is much closer, though," she interjected. She had a feeling he already knew that she was not permitted to leave the castle. He may have forgotten in his state.
"I'll inform Max to return home without me," Jonathan answered quickly. Her tower, of course. Max had said the King forbade her from leaving and she was kept in a tower. He didn't think she would be permitted to have guests, but given his favor with the King, Jonathan wasn't too worried. It was worth the risk for the opportunity to be with her.
She nodded. He went out to quickly speak with Max. When he returned, she was waiting in the shadows off the entrance hall. "This way," she breathed, offering her hand to him.
Jonathan took her hand and felt that spark again. It traveled through his body, causing him to hum with anticipation. He allowed her to lead him to a narrow door, behind which was a steep stone staircase that wound tightly around and led to a turret on the north end of the castle.
She led him through another door and sealed it behind them. Jonathan found himself in a surprisingly spacious bedroom. Candles were lit, as was the fireplace, and the flames cast a soft glow on everything. The dark wood gleamed. The heavy embroidered fabrics of red and green and blue and gold covered everything. It was a room almost as beautiful as she was.
He took in the space and turned back to her. She stood there watching him admire her things.
"Hello," she said in a soft voice.
Jonathan smiled. "Hello."
