Page 74 of A Thieving Curse

Her lungs began to ache, and she had to slow down sooner than she would have liked. Lucas dogged her steps, looking miserable. Aching hurt and burning anger pressed against her chest.

Raelyn glimpsed the dark maw of the cave through the trees and clenched her teeth.

She needed to find the prince.

24

ALEXANDER WAS SITTING on a rock next to the tree line across the clearing. His legs were crossed at the ankles, and the end of his tail twitched happily. Howdarehe be happy right now.

He whittled away at a block of wood with a small knife. A flick of his hand sent shavings flying. He looked content and handsome, despite his dragon features. An attractive liar.

Raelyn stomped toward him. “You selfish, manipulative, deceitful cad!”

Alexander lifted his attention from his task, confusion etched into his features.

“Raelyn!” Lucas cut in front of her. He walked backwards as she continued her enraged march. “Wait—”

“Lucas, go away.” She let all her rage loose in her words. “I need to talk to Alexander alone.” Lucas recoiled, shock on his face. She hated hurting him, but her own heart hurt too much to care.

Lucas glanced around nervously. “I—”

“I said goaway, Lucas!”

“Raelyn!” Alexander gasped and shoved to his feet.

Lucas clenched the basket, twisting it out of shape. He stepped out of Raelyn’s path and turned toward Alexander. “I’m sorry, Alex.” He took off toward the cave.

Alexander set down the block of wood and knife, his irises glowing dimly. “What—”

“Is it true?”

“Iswhattrue?”

“You think I can break your curse!” She flung the words at him.

Alexander’s face went slack, and his mouth hung open. “Rae—”

“Is that why you kept me here?” She clenched her fists as she stopped in front of him. Angry tears stung her eyes. “To trick me into falling in love with you and breaking your curse? Touseme?”

His face pinched. “No—”

“Liar!” She hated that her voice cracked.

“No!” His tail slammed against the ground. “I didn’t lie!”

“You just left out the part where you planned to make me fall in love with you to break your curse and then…what? Go take your kingdom back? Parade me on your arm? ‘I stole my Eynlaean bride back, and I’m here to collect my kingdom?’ Is that it?”

“No! Raelyn—”

“All this flirting and being charming and saving my life, to—”

“Listento me!” Smoke rolled out of his mouth as his voice became deeper and rougher. “Give me a chance!”

“I gave you a chance!” She jabbed his chest with her finger. Her voice trembled. “I looked past the monster, and I found a selfish man, using me and lying about it.”

Alexander paled and staggered back. “Raelyn, no.” His voice had returned to its usual tenor. “It’s Jasper’s theory, not mine.”

“Oh, certainly, that makes you innocent—”

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