Page 12 of Of Curses and Beauty

With a flourish, she tucked her hair behind her ears, lifted her chin, and folded her hands on the table. He watched with rapt fascination as her gently curved ears moved the tiniest bit and back again, over and over.

“Will wonders never cease?” he said with mock sarcasm. He grinned and she returned it, and just like that, he found the hope he thought he’d lost long ago.

Chapter 9

Alaine

Theyexchangedtruthsforwhat had to be hours if the sun’s position in the sky was any indication, but she could have listened to the soothing timbre of his voice long after it sank below the tree line. When the dining chairs grew uncomfortable, they migrated to the sofa and Daric called on a fire to stave off the morning chill.

Alaine could not remember a time when she had felt so at ease with another person. Even her relationship with her father had grown strained in recent years as he turned away countless suitors at her behest.

It was possible she knew more about Daric in a few hours than she did about anyone back home. Though none of it was anything she would deem important, it helped complete her picture of him and eased the concerns she had about living with him. She didn’t know why his hatred of hats, fondness of roses, or appreciation for small, hand-carved wooden figurines made him less of a threat. All she knew was the butterflies that had plagued her stomach all night had finally calmed.

“And what of the outside world? I’m sure it has changed considerably in the years that I’ve been gone. What can you tell me about it?”

Daric’s earnest curiosity was hard to refuse, though she noted the hint of sadness that flattened out the edges of his smile. “I’m not sure where to begin. To be completely honest, I don’t know much about the outside world despite living there for all of my eighteen years.” She chewed her lip, considering. A thought struck her and she smiled, holding her lip hostage between her teeth. “You’d probably hate it. Everyone wears hats now.”

He chuckled and she almost purred in satisfaction at bringing the smile back to his face. He looked so much less beastly with a grin.

“It’s true. The men all wear hats and the women bonnets, like one day hair became something vulgar to behold. And everything’s a contest. Who can have the most gold? The biggest house? The prettiest wife?” She shrugged. “You’d probably find that not much has changed since you left.”

“I very much doubt that.”

The silence stretched between them and though it wasn’t strained, Alaine felt their conversation coming to a close and rushed to fill the void.

“Tell me one more thing, Daric.” It felt odd to call him by his given name, but she’d learned no other name or title. “What does one do with infinite time?”

In an instant, his eyes turned distant, the light within them shuttering behind a mask of cool indifference. She hadn’t meant for it to be a deeply personal question, but she could see his turmoil as he debated how much of himself to reveal.

“I am probably not the best person to ask.”

She opened her mouth to tell him he didn’t need to answer, but he waved her off, taking a deep, bracing breath.

“In the early years, I did everything I could to escape. When that failed, I lost myself to rage. I burned the trees and uprooted every flower. I tore this cottage down, stone by stone. I tried to destroy everything, even myself.” His words hung heavy in the air between them, but she had no comfort to give. His rage may have burned hotter, but hers was just beginning to spark. “After years—decades—I started to find myself again. I’d eat. I’d bathe. I’d chop wood and tend the garden, and at the end of the day, I’d sleep. What do I do with infinite time?” He shrugged. “I survive.”

A shadow fell across them as a cloud passed before the sun.

Just a couple of years shy of seeing two decades herself, Alaine couldn’t begin to fathom what it meant to endure centuries cursed as Daric has been. Would it be the same for her? How long until her mind became twisted by anger, her heart hardened by sadness? How long until she lost all hope?

She shuddered, suddenly cold despite the healthy fire burning in the hearth.

“Do not let my story dull your light.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Would you tell me how you enjoy passing your time?”

“Well, it’s nothing quite as exciting assurviving.” She lowered her voice in impersonation of him, a weak attempt to lighten the mood, and his smile grew in appreciation of the effort. “I spend most of my free time reading.”

He leaned back as though knocked off balance by her admission. “Is that a typical pastime for young women now? To read for pleasure? Can most people read and write?”

Of course literacy among women wouldn’t have been as prevalent three hundred years ago. Alaine hesitated, unwilling to subject herself to the judgment and humiliation that was sure to come just as she’d begun to let her guard down. “I am fortunate to have learned to read and write, though I cannot say the same for most of the women in my village. My love of reading is generally not regarded favorably among the townspeople.” She toyed with the sleeve of her dress, avoiding eye contact.

“I can’t imagine why. I never took a liking to it myself, but if it brings you joy, there’s no reason you shouldn’t read.”

His words eased a knot that had been forming in her chest. She had loved reading all her life. It was as much a part of her as her name. She’d hate to give it up now that she had seemingly endless time in which to do it.

“Have you tried asking the cottage for recommendations?”

She blinked, taken aback at someone encouraging her love of reading. It hadn’t been a point of contention in her house, but neither was it supported. “It hadn’t even occurred to me.” Alaine turned like she was addressing a person, but realized that the cottage was all around her. It didn’t matter which way she faced. She lifted her chin and spoke clearly. “I would very much appreciate some reading material, if you please.”

Daric chuckled. “You’re quite a bit more polite to our cage than I am.”

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