Page 90 of A Thieving Curse

“So he did keep you captive?”

“To protect me from Henry!” Wasn’t he listening? Raelyn hadn’t expected this reaction. Gareth always listened to her.But you always tell the truth.

“Why under the sun would this dragon-man think Henry is violent?”

“Because…” She took a deep breath and spoke quietly. “He’s the crown prince, Gareth. Because he’s Alexander Tallon.”

For a long, dreadful moment, Gareth was silent. “King Henry killed the monster prince.”

“Henry lied. He’s alive and not a monster—”

“Not a monster?” He pressed his hand against his temple. “You said yourself, he has wings and claws and turns into a dragon! He’s evil, Raelyn, tainted by dark magic by his wicked parents.”

“No, that’s all lies made up by Henry!” She tugged on her braid, getting increasingly frantic. “Alexander told me—”

Gareth snorted. “And you believe the dragon-man who held you captive in a cave? He was lying. I don’t trust the word of a monster claiming to be a dead prince.”

“Then trust me, Gareth! Trustme.” Raelyn met his gaze, begging him to believe her. “Alexander isn’t a threat.”

He bit his cheek, appearing conflicted. “I want to believe you, Raelyn. But why wouldyoubelieve anything he said?”

Hope surged. “Because he doesn’t lie.”

“That’s what I thought about you, too,” Gareth said, hurt in his eyes.

The words stung, and Raelyn hung her head. “I’m sorry. I lied to protect him. Henry killed King Philip and Queen Kendra and cursed Alexander so he could steal the throne and wanted to kill Alexander.” She lifted her head. “You’re my best friend, and I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’d never do that on purpose. But I can’t let Tristan kill Alexander.”

Gareth’s eyebrows arched, incredulous. Her heart broke. He still didn’t believe her. “Do you realize how insane that sounds?” he demanded.

Tears welled in her eyes. “I know. But it’s the truth.”

“How can you possibly know that?”

“Because I love him!” The words burst forth before she could stop them, and she clapped her hands over her mouth as tears dripped down her cheeks. They stared at each other, and Raelyn slowly lowered her hands. “I…love him,” she repeated to herself in a whisper.

“You… Oh. No. The lying, the crazy story…” Gareth went pale. “King Henry must have suspected. He warned us. I’m such an idiot. Raelyn.” He looked at her like she might break. “That fiend enchanted you.”

“No, he didn’t!” Raelyn scrubbed away her tears as anger burned in her chest. “Please just listen—”

“I’vebeenlistening.” Gareth’s throat bobbed. “You’ve lied, you’ve told me a crazy story about a monster—”

“He’snotamonster!” she practically screamed. Her hands shook, and she clenched her skirt in her fists. “And he’s definitely not a sorcerer capable of enchanting anyone. Alexander is a good man, cursed or not, dragon-man or not. He’s not the villain, Henry is!”

“Raelyn—”

“Do you know how hard it was for Alex to hand me over to Tristan?” she demanded. “After everything Henry did? But I begged him to take me to the palace to save you, so he did. He looks like a dragon, but he’s not a monster. Please. You can’t kill him. Gareth, you have to trust me. Help me convince Tristan to abandon the hunt. Please.”

Leaves rustled and a twig snapped behind her, and Raelyn whirled around. Tristan stood stiffly, frowning, his arms crossed over his chest. Her stomach dropped. How much had he heard?

“So that’s why you’re claiming nothing looks familiar?” he asked.

“Prince Tristan—”

“You’re protecting this…dragon-man”—his vicious tone cut through the air—“because he slandered my father and claimed to be my cousin. Who is dead, by the way. My father killed him twelve years ago.”

Raelyn gulped. “I know that’s what you think—”

“You should have stayed behind.” Tristan grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the trees. “I’m sending you back to the palace.”

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