Page 64 of A Thieving Curse

Alexander has such a good heart for someone who has been through so much.He made her want to be better. To be kinder.

“Maybe one day,” he said quietly, “somehow, I’ll look normal again. Then I’ll go before the Court of Lords and tell them the truth I couldn’t speak at nine. I’ll try to get my throne back and make sure my uncle never steps foot in Rethalyon again.” His tail curled and uncurled against the stone. “But that probably won’t happen.”

He looked resigned. She wanted to say something, but after twelve years, telling himyour curse will breakwas at best insensitive. “Well…” She nibbled the inside of her lip. “It does kind of seem a shame you would have to give up your wings to do that.”

He grinned and spread his wings open completely, stretching out on either side of him to span about nine feet. The shadows in the tunnel deepened as they blocked the light. They were both spectacular and intimidating.

“I do enjoy flying.” He tucked them in again. “But you understand.” His ruby irises sparkled in the torchlight. “You like flying, too.”

Raelyn considered. “I think I’d like it more if I had my own wings.”

Alexander opened his mouth, but apparently thought better of whatever he was going to say and closed it. “Well.” He stood and dusted off his trousers. “Sitting on the floor isn’t my idea of comfortable.” He held out his hand to her.

His red-black claws glinted dully. She wrapped her fingers around the sides of his, avoiding the claws. He beamed triumphantly as he pulled her up.All right, don’t get over excited; I’m not holding your hand, just standing.She got to her feet, but before she could pull her hand back, his fingers closed around hers, and he pulled her closer. Her heart jammed against her ribs as she looked up at him.

“Raelyn.”

It took her a moment to get her tongue working. “Yes?”

“Is there something I can do to cheer you up?” Alexander’s warm fingers still gripped hers. “I hate to see you sad.” He smiled mischievously. “I could take you flying.”

The thought of being held against his chest right then made her face heat. She extricated her fingers from his. “No, thank you.” She stepped away, and his smile dropped. For whatever reason, she found she didn’t like disappointing him. “I’m sure you have things to do.”

He nodded slowly. “I am supposed to go help Jasper and Peter cut the beams for Lucas’s door. They’ve probably already started.”

Raelyn picked up the torch. “Sorry for barging in on you.”

“Barge in on me any time.”

Her eyebrows shot up as her lips parted and words emptied from her mind.

Alexander blushed. “That is, I meant, if you decide you’d like to read one of my other books, you can come by whenever.” He pulled at the collar of his shirt. “Or…if you want to talk. Ever. Or anything.” His blush deepened. “I’m going to find Jasper and Peter.” He strode past her toward the dining cavern, his tail flicking above the ground behind him.

Gareth

FATHER MUST HAVE realized Gareth planned on escaping to look for Raelyn because the knights kept an infuriatingly close eye on him all the way to the Rethali palace. The farther away they got from the mountains, the more agitated he grew—and the more intent he became on convincing Prince Tristan to help him find Raelyn.

Before they entered the royal town of Hathlon, Father pulled him aside. “This is going to be…difficult. In many ways.” Father rubbed his forehead. “I need you to be calm and respectful. All right?”

Gareth agreed, but he had no intention of standing quietly by while Raelyn languished in some beast’s lair.

The palace was impressive, but Gareth paid little heed to the two outer walls, the ostentatious fountains, or the red stone palace. He focused instead on the crown prince.

Tristan was shorter than Gareth had expected, with brown hair and broad shoulders thrown back in stiff superiority. He stood a step farther back than his father, his countenance molded into decorous solemnity. But would he help? That was all Gareth cared about.

As they dismounted, Henry looked past them, his brows furrowed. Tristan’s face betrayed less emotion, but he kept scanning their retinue. Looking for a bride that wouldn’t appear. Gareth steeled himself as they moved to greet the Rethali royals. Father would say Raelyn was dead. He had to convince the prince it was worth searching for her.

“Welcome, King Weston,” Henry said as he and Father clasped hands.

“Thank you, King Henry.” Father stepped back.

“Your arrival is unexpectedly late.”

Father inclined his head. “I apologize. Can we step inside to talk?”

“Where is the princess?” Henry inquired.

Mother stiffened, and Father leaned closer to Henry. “Inside, if you please?”

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