Page 50 of A Thieving Curse

“Your dream is to be a shepherdess?” Lucas sounded bewildered. “But…you’re a princess. Why would you want to raise goats? Also, I help Dad with the goats, so does that make me a shepherd? I think it does. Do you want to see the goats tonight? I could show you the goats. Actually, that’s dumb, we should go in the daylight. One of the goats is pregnant! Have you ever seen a goat give birth? It’s disgusting!” He seemed positively thrilled about the repulsiveness of goat birth. “Speaking of disgusting…”

Lucas went off-topic, telling a story about two eagles he’d seen fighting over a snake that afternoon. The others lapsed into casual conversation. They were all so at ease together. More relaxed than the formal family meals at the palace. Raelyn suddenly realized how much she had been frowning lately, with no one to tell her to stop. It nearly made her laugh. Maybe Meredith had a point. Maybe this was a chance for her to discover who she was without the weight of being a princess. She might as well look for positives.

Still, she missed her family. Especially Gareth. Lucas said something teasing that Raelyn wasn’t paying attention to, and Alexander threw a piece of bread at Lucas’s head. They laughed while Jasper scolded them, and her heart ached for her brother.I would have missed him, anyway. If I had married Tristan, I still would have been alone.At least here, no one expected her to be a wife or look regal all the time. Still, she wished she’d had more time with Gareth.

An idea formed in her mind. A crazy request, but one she didn’t believe would anger Alexander. At least, not enough he would hurt her. He might refuse, but what if he agreed?

Eventually everyone finished eating, and the others gathered up the plates. The prince actually helped pile dishes on the cart. She watched the flames, trying to decide if it was worth asking. She must have looked upset, because Alexander stilled.

“Are you all right, Princess?”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “No.”

Meredith shooed Peter, Lucas, and Jasper out, the cart rolling over the stone and setting the dishes rattling. Alexander pulled out Peter’s chair and sat down next to her. He waited patiently for her to speak.

She may as well commit. “This morning, you said you would kill the minotaur if I asked.”

He shifted. “Yes.”

“I don’t need that, but…” She met his eyes. “There is something else.”

18

ALEXANDER LEANED HIS forearms on the table. “Something else…that could help make things up to you?”

Raelyn nodded. “Something that would make this—staying here—easier.”

His eyes became more alert. He sat up straighter, and his wings rustled. “I’ll do it if I can.”

“You can say no. I’m not trying to trick you.”

He frowned. “All right…”

“I…” She took a deep breath and suddenly wished she had another glass of water. “I want to see my family. From a distance,” she added quickly as his frown deepened. “They don’t need to see me. I wouldn’t try to get their attention, I promise. You…” She gulped. “You can gag me, if…if that would help. I’d just like to see them. One last time.”

Alexander broke eye contact. “I don’t know…”

“Please. Please.”

He looked back at her, his expression pained. “Would this help you believe I’m not a monster?”

“I already believe that,” Raelyn said, “or I wouldn’t ask.” Relief spread over his face as his lips curved upward, giving her more confidence. “It will help me say goodbye. I need that closure. Just to see them, with my own eyes. I promise, I won’t shout or try to run away or anything, but you can—”

“All right.”

Her breath caught. Despite her hope, she hadn’t expected him to agree so readily. “…really?”

“Do you want to go now?”

Her heart leapt. “I would like that. If you’re sure.”

“If that’s what you want.” He stood and headed out of the cavern. “Let’s go.”

She followed him, nerves pinching at her full stomach. They were truly goingnow? She had started to fear she would never see her parents’ and Gareth’s faces again.

When they emerged into the cool night, he turned toward her. “There are three ways we can do this.”

Raelyn didn’t understand. “See my family?”

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