Page 90 of Heirs of the Cursed

“Tell me everything!” she begged.

“The other day, I had to help my mother with inventory, so Bassel ran the bakery for a few hours. And since that day he has wanted to work every afternoon.”

“Well, did you see who came in?”

“I think he was a soldier in the army.” Sadira raised her hand when she saw that Darcia was about to protest. “His name is Gallen. It was he who questioned me and Caeli when he learned that Bassel was my twin. He was polite and kind at all times.”

“The soldiers will be gone soon,” Darcia stated.

“Gallen looks very comfortable in Dawnfall . . .”

“And abandon his post at Camdenn?” she asked. “I thought desertion was punishable by hanging.”

“Ifhe deserts. But if he asks for a transfer, maybe things will be different,” said Sadira. “I want my brother to be happy, you know? He deserves it after all.”

Darcia took her friend’s hand with understanding.

Sadira had never been interested in anyone, romantically or sexually. She’d always imagined her life having her own apothecary’s shop, far from the debts and discomfort of the big cities, but still close to her family. All she’d ever wanted was for her mother to have a good life before she was reunited with the goddesses and for her brother to be able to marry and adopt children, as he’d always dreamed.

Both Bassel and Sadira had sacrificed so much for each other’s happiness. And Darcia wanted to be able to give them the life they deserved, at her and Caeli’s side, for the four of them had formed a real family and she could never leave them to their fate.

“Your brother deserves so much more than happiness,” Darcia admitted. “And I’m glad to hear that he is accepting the feelings he has always kept bottled up. That soldier is very lucky.”

Sadira’s light brown gaze shifted to the streets. “I just hope the rest of them leave soon. The city seems to be dying by the minute. I only wish they would leave us alone.”

“With any luck, they’ll declare Dawnfall clean and go looking elsewhere.” Darcia patted her friend’s back. “You must have faith in it.”

Faith was the only thing they had left, the only thing they could cling to.

At the hollow sound of approaching armor, they looked up to find Harg Koller advancing decisively toward them. He had his hands behind his back and the most affable expression he could muster. Only when his hazel eyes landed on Darcia did a flicker of warmth soften his features.

“Miss Voreia,” the Chaser greeted.

She stood up and, with a soft glimmer in her eyes, offered a little bow. “General Koller.”

“Are you well?” he asked.

“Perfectly,” Darcia assured. She stepped aside and pointed to her friend. “Sadira, this is Harg Koller, general of the Royal Army.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, General.”

“You, too Sadira.” Harg bowed his head politely before shifting his gaze back to Darcia. “I wondered if you could spare me a minute of your time.”

This time, she didn’t hesitate.

He had looked after the women of the city and had made sure not to make any of them uncomfortable. For nearly three months, Harg had shown her that she need not fear him, for he didn’t plan to do her or her people any harm. He only wishedto find the princesses, and since there was no trace of them in Dawnfall, her city was safe.

“Of course.”

“I’ll let you two talk.” Sadira grabbed Darcia’s hand and squeezed it lightly. “I’ll see you at the bakery.”

“Stay safe, Sadie.”

When Sadira left, Darcia sat back down, the cool drops of water from the fountain splashing her hair and cheeks. She made room for Harg to sit beside her, and once he did, something stirred inside her.

“I’d rather have come to talk to you for other circumstances, though they’re certainly good news for you.”

Darcia wrinkled her brow. “What do you mean by that?”

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