Page 117 of A Thieving Curse

“I haven’t given her to you yet.” Father stepped closer and several Rethali knights drew their swords. Raelyn’s mouth went dry.

“I want my son released,” Father said to Tristan.

Tristan met Father’s stare. “I want him tried.”

“Fine.” Father ground his teeth. “But I still want him freed from his bonds.”

Tristan’s gaze darted to Raelyn before he inclined his head. “As an act of good will, he may be placed under house arrest.” He sauntered over and cut Gareth’s bindings. “But if he leaves the palace grounds, he’ll be a fugitive.”

Gareth looked ready to punch Tristan again, but to Raelyn’s relief, he only shot Tristan a lethal glare. As Gareth walked over toward Raelyn and their parents, he cautiously touched the welts on his wrists.

“Take the rest to the dungeons,” Tristan commanded.

“Prince Tristan,” Father said, his voice tight, “ifanythinghappens to Prince Alexander before the Court of Lords makes a ruling, there will be no treaty. I won’t stand for murder. In fact, I want my knights to help guard him.”

Tristan frowned. “Very well.”

Father gave hurried orders to Sir Christopher before ushering their family inside. Raelyn caught a glimpse of Rethali and Eynlaean knights escorting Alex and his friends to the dungeons before Mother pushed her inside the palace.

Father led them through the palace to a suite of chambers. Raelyn sank into a ridiculously plush armchair, acutely aware of her aching muscles. Gareth collapsed into another chair, and a stab of guilt accompanied her anger with Tristan. Gareth’s trek back had been more draining than her own.

“Raelyn, Gareth.” Father paced before the empty fireplace, consternation pinching his expression. “What’s going on?”

“Tristan is a cad and a scoundrel, that’s what’s going on,” Gareth grumbled. “And if he ever touches Rae again, I’m going to break his nose.”

Mother gasped. “Gracious!”

“What happened?” Father looked from Raelyn to Gareth and back. “Did Tristan hurt you?”

“Not really.” She rubbed the side of her face, feeling drained.

“And…” Father shook his head. “Monster? Curse? What exactly is going on?”

Raelyn sighed. This was going to take a while and be difficult to explain, and she was already so tired. “It’s complicated. And it begins with my horse running from the manticore.”

She quickly summarized her time in the mountains, emphasizing how kind Alexander was. She skipped visiting the camp, though—she couldn’t bear to tell Gareth how close she’d been. When she reached agreeing to stay with Alexander, Father started ranting about jeopardizing the kingdom and abandoning her duty.

“I convinced Alex to bring me to the palace as soon as I knew what happened,” she interrupted Father’s tirade. “He didn’t want to let me go, but he did. He…loves me.”

Raelyn felt small under her parents’ incredulous stares, but she sat poised and kept her voice calm. Her parents didn’t always understand her, but they would respect a princess.

“I wasn’t sure if I loved him yet,” she explained, “but I knew I had to save Gareth. I couldn’t let there be a war. So I begged Alex to take me to the Rethali palace, and he did. Even though I don’t want to marry the son of a murderer who cursed his own nephew.”

Father’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Raelyn. I had no idea.”

She told them about Tristan and Gareth deciding they had to kill the dragon. Gareth scratched his neck and blushed. She gave a rushed explanation of getting back to Alexander.

“Alexander will make a good king and a loving husband,” she finished. “He’s honest, gentle, charming, and has such a big heart. He makes me laugh. And he brought me to marry Tristan to save Gareth, even though it was killing him. Prince or not, I love Alex. I was resistant. But when I realized Alex could die, I had to admit it.” She met Father’s eyes. “My heart is his.”

Father rubbed the top of his head. “Raelyn…I can’t support Alexander as king if the Rethali Court of Lords doesn’t uphold his claim. War will wreck Eynlae. Our people are prospering more than they have in nearly a hundred years.” He focused on the empty fireplace. “If the Rethalis deny Alexander… Peace would require sacrifice, but not as much sacrifice as war.”

“You can’t give her to that villain!” Gareth stood, his fists clenched. “Tristan orders her around like a servant! Not to mention he nearly murdered a prince, his own cousin, and then tortured him. That prat bound a grieving father and mother and forced them to walk for days. And he made Raelyn ride with him against her will, giving her kisses she didn’t want to antagonize Alex.”

“What are you talking about?” Mother demanded. “Slow down. Torture? Coercion?”

Raelyn started to relay Tristan’s attack, but her throat closed up when she thought about Lucas’s death. Mother held her and let her cry while Gareth finished the story. As Gareth recounted Tristan cutting Alexander’s back, Mother squeezed Raelyn’s shoulder and made disapproving, horrified noises.

“Tristan made us walk and didn’t give Alexander boots,” Gareth said bitterly. “And I had to watch Raelyn look miserable as he kissed her.” He caught Raelyn’s eyes. “But I got to talk to Alex and his friends. Family might be more accurate, if not technically true. You’re right, Rae. He never was a monster. And he loves you.”

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