Page 27 of A Thieving Curse

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AS THE MONSTER stalked away into the shadows, Raelyn’s tense muscles unknotted, but she still felt the warmth of his hand against her neck. She breathed in and out, acutely aware of the others’ silence.

“He apologized,” Lucas said. “You were rude.”

They all watched her with judgment on their faces. Even strangers in a cave found her disappointing. Maybe Mother had been right to worry Raelyn would make a poor queen.

“She was scared,” Jasper said quietly. “And Alex was impolite, too.”

Jasper had…defended her? But his mouth pulled into an unforgiving line. Maybe he disapproved of both her and the monster’s behavior. Unable to bear their scrutiny any longer, she stole another candle from the table and found her own way back to her room.

What if she couldn’t convince them to help her? With every minute in the cave, her hope of finding her family faded. Would she ever see them again? What would King Henry say when they arrived without the promised bride for his son?

For years Raelyn had been told she had one purpose: get married and keep her husband happy to ensure the peace lasted. It hurt, knowing she would have to say goodbye to her family. But at least if she fulfilled the treaty, something good came of her loss.

Losing her family because she was stranded in a mountain cave served no greater purpose and jeopardized everything the treaty had accomplished.

She slammed the bedroom door shut, thinking about when Mother had told her about the treaty. What a terrible birthday that had been.Happy twelfth birthday. When you turn eighteen, we’re sending you away to marry a man you won’t meet until you’re about to take your marriage vows.

At first, she’d been delighted. Marriage sounded romantic, and she would be queen? With two older brothers, she’d never dreamed of being queen. Then reality hit her. It would be duty, first and foremost. Maybe love would come later, maybe it wouldn’t, and she’d be separated from her family. From her best friend. She’d run out when she understood she might never see Gareth again after she married Prince Tristan.

She’d found Gareth practicing archery with Frederick. He immediately threw aside his bow when he saw her crying. Frederick wouldn’t look at her. Turned out, he already knew. Gareth took her hand and went to Father, fury in his eyes.“You as good as sold her! A port costs one princess?”Father had been unwavering.“I’m sorry. It’s been decided for years. This is what Eynlae needs. The treaty is more important.”Gareth had stormed out, and they’d hidden in one of the secret passages while he ranted about fairness and running away.

After struggling to get the fire burning again, Raelyn sat on the bed in her cave room and propped her sore ankle up on the pillow. She wanted to go to sleep and wake to Gareth sneaking into her room with stolen treats or some baby animal he’d secreted into the palace. He had a bad habit of ending up with scratches on his chest from hiding anything from lizards to a wolf pup in his shirt.

She smiled through her tears.Find me, Gareth. You always claimed you’d save me if a monster took me. Now’s your chance.

Several hours later, the door opened, startling her. Lucas started to walk in, then said, “oh!” and backed out, closing the door. Rapping sounded, and Raelyn chuckled despite herself. It reminded her of how her brothers would barge in on each other.

“Come in.”

Lucas entered, carrying a lantern and a plate of bread, cheese, and vegetables. “Sorry, Alex and I never knock. I brought your dinner.” He set the plate down on the table and wrinkled his nose. “Alex doesn’t want to see you.”

“Well good,” she retorted. “I don’t want to see him, either.”

“It’s not his fault he looks like that. You have more control over your messy appearance than he does over his curse.”

She gaped. “I…I haven’t exactly had access to a bath, or a comb, or—”

“You haven’t asked.” He shrugged. “I thought princesses were supposed to have better manners than us peasants.”

She opened and closed her mouth, then hung her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so…scared. I haven’t spared a thought for hygiene.” She sniffed her arm. “Or how I smell. Would…” She looked up at Lucas. “May I take a bath?”

Lucas grinned. “Course! Probably improve your mood, too.”

Raelyn considered her mood perfectly logical for someone who didn’t know if her family was alive and who was being held captive by a beast, but it was difficult to stay cross with Lucas. And she needed the other humans to like her if she wanted their assistance. “Maybe,” she hedged as she limped to the stool by the table.

“Does your foot hurt a lot? Alex mentioned a wolf bit you.”

“My ankle, yes. It aches and sometimes it feels like it’s pulsing. I suppose I’m lucky my boots are thick.” She didn’t want to think about how mangled her ankle would be otherwise.

“Can I ask you some questions?” He leaned against the wall.

Seems to be all you do.“I suppose.” She picked up a slice of bread.

“Do you like being a princess? What’s it like, having servants and wearing fancy clothes all the time? Have you ever done work? Like real work? Have you always lived in a palace?” He tapped his heel as he spoke. “What’s it like? Did—”

“Do you actually want me to answer these questions, or do you just want to ask them?” She laughed to cover her confusion and discomfort.

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