Page 33 of Of Curses and Beauty

The smell of roast meat and beer wafted out from the tavern, the raucous noise that accompanied it counteracting the effect of the enticing scent. His stomach begged him to stop and replenish his energy, but he hesitated at the door weighing his need for nourishment against his desire to continue moving. Under the curse, he’d eaten only out of habit, a semblance of normalcy he’d clung to in the absence of necessity. Now, his hunger gnawed at him, encouraging him to stray from his task. Though he was almost certain he knew the town Alaine had referred to in her stories, she had called it by another name and it was enough to make him doubt his conviction. However, with no money or items to barter, he’d be hard-pressed to acquire food through any lawful means. It also meant he’d be unlikely to find the answer he sought within.

In the end, his empty purse decided his path and he darted around back to the stables, pausing at a well to quench his thirst and splash some water on his brow. The freezing water shocked his tired mind to alertness and filled his belly enough to stave off the worst of the hunger pangs.

With his head cleared, he entered the small stable, surprised—or maybe lucky—to find no stablehands in sight. Despite the lack of attendants, the stable smelled better than he expected. He noticed only a faint scent of hay and leather as he slunk down the aisle, checking each of the stalls as he passed. It was possible there were no horses here after all. That would have accounted for the lack of smell and attendants.

He started to think his detour had been a waste of time when he finally located the only horse in the stable; a chestnut mare that barely spared him a glance between bites of hay. It seemed fate was on his side since she was still saddled, but Daric also knew that meant her rider might not be long away.

Moving quickly, he unlatched the stall door, wincing at the squeal of rusty hinges as it swung out towards him. The mare paid him little heed as he entered, but he held out his hands and murmured calming sounds to keep from spooking her. Though she was saddled, the bridle still hung on the wall. It wasn’t until he lifted it from the small metal hook that the mare showed any reaction at all. Suddenly, either at the prospect of being bridled or being bridled by a stranger, the mare skittered back, pressing against the wall opposite him, her ears pinned back as she stamped and whinnied.

The last thing Daric wanted was a scared horse when it had been well over three hundred years since he’d last been astride one. Though he’d been a decent rider at the time, years out of practice had made him wary. He’d be damned if he had to search the town for another horse though. Time moved on and every second that ticked by was a second he could spend searching for Alaine. In the end, his fear for her overrode his trepidation and he surged the animal.

He instantly regretted ignoring years of training and his own instincts when the mare reared up. The last thing he saw was the hoof careening toward his face before a bolt of agony knocked him out cold.

Chapter 30

Alaine

Alainestartledawakewithno recollection of having fallen asleep. Apparently, she had made it to bed; its soft embrace beckoned her back to sleep even as she fought against it. She forced herself upright, willing the fog of sleep from her mind so she could make sense of what had happened the night before. She remembered telling Daric that she loved him, his subsequent disappearance, and demanding that the witch free her too, but everything after was a blur. Between then and now, the hours had stretched until it felt like days had passed since he’d gone.

The gloomy interior of her bedroom matched her sour mood, but she’d never known it to be this dark in the cottage before. She thought it might still be night, although it was more likely Daric had taken the light with him when he left. Hope had abandoned her and she remained a hollow husk of the vibrant girl she’d been with him.

Despite the emptiness, her limbs were heavy as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. She slid off, surprised to find solid wood beneath her feet.

“Did you change my room again, cottage?” she called out, wincing at the volume of her voice as it echoed back to her. She hoped that wherever Daric had ended up, he was enjoying his freedom more than she was her solitude. “I’d like the old rug back, if I may.”

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached her closed door.

“Daric?” His name was on her lips before she could squash the hope that built in her chest. She raced to the door, or she tried to, running into various pieces of furniture that hadn’t been there before. Something fell, shattering on the floor, the sound jarring in the small space.

Sunlight poured in as the door opened, freezing her in place while momentarily blinded by the brightness.

“Alaine.”

She heard her name and arms wrapped around her, but the voice was too high, the arms too small. Confused, she flinched away, blinking rapidly until her vision could adjust to the brightness.

Before her stood her mother, her father lingering in the doorway, relief painting both of their faces.

“Mother? Father?” Her brain refused to put the pieces together.Had the witch actually freed her?“What happened? Where’s Daric?”

Her parents exchanged blank looks.

“Alaine, darling,” said her mother, reaching for her once again. Alaine allowed herself to be captured for now. “You’ve been unconscious for weeks.”

Alaine’s heart stopped.Unconscious?For weeks?

She must have looked as shocked as she felt. Her mother began stroking her arms, continuing to explain as though her world had not just imploded.

“We didn’t know what happened. The doctor said you must have sustained a head injury. Alaine, darling, why didn’t you tell us you’d been hurt? We’ve been worried sick.”

“I–” She touched the back of her head gingerly, remembering the force of the blow as Baxter had pushed her back. “I’ve been here the whole time?”

She looked to her father for confirmation, hating that the pity in his eyes confirmed her fears. She couldn’t believe none of it had been real.

“I had just told you about Lord Baxter’s offer when you fainted.” Though his words were gentle, her father’s artfully composed expression suggested there was more that he wasn’t saying. “We thought it was the shock of the marriage at first, but then you didn’t recover and I knew something was wrong.” His fingers turned bone white from wringing them and Alaine wondered if it was guilt his careful mask concealed.

“That’s not right, though,” Alaine begged. “I left. I went to the forest. I’ve been gone for weeks.” Her eyes burned with unshed tears.

“Oh, don’t cry, dear. You’re too pretty to cry.” Her mother’s face assumed her usual look of scorn as she fussed over her. “I understand this must be confusing for you, but Lord Baxter is here. He’s come by every day to check on you. We were visiting with him just now when we heard you stirring. I expect he’ll want to see you if you’re feeling up to it. It’s about time we finalize this wedding contract.”

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