Page 114 of A Thieving Curse

“Please.” Meredith raised her hands. “Have mercy.”

“I’ll ride with you.” Raelyn reached for Tristan, but the knight held her back. “Please, my lord. I’m sorry. Surely this isn’t who you are!”

Tristan stilled. Raelyn held her breath as Tristan and Alex stared at each other.

“Do you remember that footrace, Alex?” Tristan asked. “The winter your mother fell ill. You were winning, like always, yet you tripped me, and I fell into the snow. I cut my hand on a buried rock. You were laughing as you passed the finish line. Do you remember?”

Alex’s eyebrows pinched. “No? I would’ve been, what, seven?”

Tristan grunted. “I went to my father crying because my hand hurt, and blood was everywhere. ‘Alex wouldn’t cry like an infant,’ he said. He said I’d never measure up to you. Over and over. Even after you were a dead monster, you were the better prince. You ‘had more dignity and poise at nine’ than I did at fifteen.” His throat bobbed. “I’ve spentyearshating you.”

Alex’s mouth fell open.“I—I’m sorry, Tristan. We were children. I didn’t know.”

“How could he have cursed you? He liked you more than me!”

Raelyn felt an irritating twist of pity. Gareth’s jaw clenched. She knew he sometimes resented Frederick for being Father’s favorite and Nathaniel for being Mother’s, and the pain in Tristan’s admission probably resonated. Around them, the Rethalis looked anywhere but at the cousins.

Old hurt shone in Alex’s eyes. “Do you know how often I’ve asked myself that? How he could do this to me, to my parents?”

“I don’t believe you. And I want to punish you for your arrogance, for your lies, for seducing my bride.” Tristan slammed his dagger into its sheath. “But Raelyn’s right. Torture is below me.”

Tristan turned and gave a sharp nod, and the man holding Raelyn released her. Before she’d had a moment to determine what Tristan was up to, he hoisted her back into the saddle and mounted behind her.

“But…I’m not above this.” Tristan nuzzled her neck, and she gasped and jerked away, her skin burning.

“You vile imbecile!” Alex exploded. “Pathetic excuse of a man!”

Raelyn’s eyes widened.Alex, be quiet!She swayed as her head spun.

Tristan wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder. She went as rigid as an embroidery needle and clutched her skirt.

“Mine,” he murmured. “My Raelyn.” He kissed her jaw. Raelyn twisted away from Alex, hiding her fury as her stomach lurched.Just bear it; don’t anger him further.

“Villain!” Alex shouted.

“How are your feet, monster?” Tristan lifted his head off her shoulder and kicked his horse forward, leaving the others behind.

“It’s not his fault.” Raelyn fought to steady her voice. “Your father belittling you, your father cursing him—”

“My father didn’t curse him!”

She clenched her teeth. She couldn’t change Tristan’s mind, but perhaps she could convince him to be less cruel. “All right. But may I make a request, my lord?” When he didn’t respond, she asked anyway. “Please stop using me.”

“What?” His arms eased around her as he leaned back. The unexpected move emboldened her.

“I feel used and—and ashamed,” she said, her throat tight, “every time you touch me to make a point or to hurt Alex.”

Tristan shifted. “You’re my betrothed.”

“I know. But…” Raelyn took a deep breath. He had changed his mind about torturing Alex. Maybe he would do it again. “Your—affection…feels like punishment.”

Tristan halted his horse, shattering her hope. She squeezed her eyes closed, curling in on herself as she braced for whatever reminder he would give her that she belonged to him.

“You’re afraid of me.” He dropped his arms from around her. “Flames.”

Surprised, she opened her eyes as he dismounted. He added some more colorful curse words as he paced next to his horse, still holding the reins.

“I’m angry, Princess Raelyn. But I didn’t mean…I didn’t think—I knew it bothered Tallon. Iwantedto hurt him. But I—” He stopped and looked up. “I thought you just preferred him, that you were stubborn and unfamiliar with me. That with time your reticence would fade.” He reached for her, and on reflex, she pulled away. Distress flashed over his face. “I never meant for my wife to view my touch negatively.”

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