Page 55 of Cursed

“Guillarmo,” Vince said, nodding quickly. He half shielded Edeena with his body as he stepped forward to shake the man’s hand. “I didn’t know I’d see you again so soon, but I’m glad of it. With so many strangers in this courtyard, it’s good to see a familiar face.”

“Agreed.” The man turned to Edeena and bowed to her, speaking in rapid and effusive Garronois. The words startled, but seemed to delight Edeena, and she relaxed a little bit, to Vince’s intense relief.

Guillarmo turned to Vince again. “I told her she was good to have found you, that it spoke well of her character that she made such well-considered choices in her friends.”

Vince grinned. “You managed to get the rest of the trees cleared without incident?”

“Trees cleared and roofs reinforced. If the seas wish to vent their rage again anytime soon, we’ll be prepared.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Vince said. Guillarmo clapped his hand on his back and half-turned, raising his hands to his mouth to strengthen his cry.

“Tsipouro!”

“Oh, well . . .” Edeena’s startled glance met Vince’s and she frowned, but there seemed to be nothing for it. Guillarmo waved off their worry.

“Indulge an old man, eh?” he asked with a wink. “There will be time enough for doing your duty, Countess Saleri. Life is also meant to be enjoyed.”

“Of course,” Edeena said, recovering gracefully. She smiled gamely as more of the townspeople worked their way through the crowd, two or three of them waving bottles of the clear, fragrant spirits. Glasses appeared and quick work was made of pouring out the libations, all of them raising their glasses at once.

“To celebration and good fortune,” Guillarmo said, repeating the words in Garronois and waiting until they were announced back to him before he tossed back the fiery drink. Vince touched his glass to Edeena’s, then brought his glass to his lips, stopping only when he realized her gaze was transfixed on him.

“What is it?” he lowered the glass and took a step closer, and she shook her head.

“Nothing! Nothing,” she said. She lifted her glass to him, then she also drank, Vince following her lead.

The spell that had been dragging her down appeared to be broken, however, and as he finished his drink Edeena was once more smiling.

“You ready now?” he asked and she nodded. There were too many other people around for her to say much more, and they moved the short distance up the walk until they finally reached the gazebo.

Edeena mounted the steps quickly. Vince moved with her. The small platform was packed with people as well, but he suspected it would clear quickly enough when the time came. For now, he and Edeena were safe, cocooned against the outside world. And the look on her face indicated she knew it.

“It’s funny, isn’t it?” she asked, gazing out over the crowd. “In some ways, I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life. Waiting for the test to happen, the judgment to be made. I’ll announce who I’d like to wed and . . . what? The ground will open beneath us? The sea will rise up out of its bed?” She shook her head ruefully. “I have a sneaking suspicion no one will even notice. Father’s already left, like he’s already given up on me.”

Vince grimaced, hating the pain in her voice. So, she had noticed Silas’s departure—of course she had.

“I’ll notice,” he said, staunchly. “Your sisters will. The king and queen will, too. Somewhere in this throng of people there have to be Saleris as well. They’ll notice, Edeena, they will. It may not be enough for them to stand together, but it will be a start. And that’s more than anyone else has given them up to now—in longer than anyone can remember, I suspect.”

She smiled at him, and he knew he’d said the right thing. Then his heart sank as she straightened her shoulders.

“I’m ready now,” she said. “Please, somehow, get me a microphone.”

Vince signaled and the order was relayed as his phone crackled. He drew it out of his coat pocket, scanning the screen quickly.

Then he froze.

The text was from Rob, but what he’d typed couldn’t possibly be true.

Problem. Drunk suitor just blabbed. Says Silas has rigged tonight’s outcome. Wants new baby daughter to break curse. Anyone Edeena chooses will reject her. Curse will stand til he breaks it on his terms.

Silas’s own words returned to taunt Vince. I’ll take no more part in this charade. It is finished. Shock and anger seared through him, but as he looked up, he saw the truth of it. The men who’d been in the line with him and Edeena at the dance a few nights ago had a different air about them now. Some were nervous, some were smug. Some simply looked resigned.

None of them looked like the way they should, like men about to be given the greatest gift anyone could ask for, the loyalty of a woman as remarkable and beautiful and strong as Edeena Saleri. They expected to make a fool of her.

Not on my watch.

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