Page 100 of A Thieving Curse

Tristan sighed. “I see. You’ll forgive me when his magic dies with him.” He kissed her forehead, and Alex growled.

“Jealous, monster?” Tristan taunted. “Kill him.”

Raelyn screamed and attempted to pull away, but Tristan grabbed her wrists and yanked her against him. The back of her head hit his breastplate as he pinned her hands to her chest. “Please,” she begged. “Don’t!”

“You’ll be free soon,” Tristan said softly.

She was too terrified to reply. Alex narrowly dodged a couple arrows. His wings beat the air, but as he rose, another arrow tore through his uninjured wing. He jerked and landed hard. He arched his head back and roared flames. Several men swore.

Raelyn tugged against Tristan’s iron grip. “Alexander!”

“Quiet!” Tristan scolded.

Alex’s eyes turned reptilian. “Rae?” he asked, his voice deep and coarse, a distant thunderstorm rather than a soothing rain.

An arrow buried into Alex’s shoulder near his neck. He convulsed and fell to his knees.

She went still. “Fight it, Alex.”

“I. Don’t. Want to!” He shuddered from head to tail and scorched the grass.

Gareth walked toward Alex, his stride purposeful, his face set. He drew his sword back.

“Gareth, no!” She sagged against Tristan as tears trailed down her cheeks. “Please. Gareth, please don’t.”

A flicker of indecision crossed her brother’s face.

“Silence!” Tristan held her tighter. “And stop struggling. You’remybride, and I am your lord. You must obey me. Now be still.” Gareth pivoted to face Tristan in shocked anger.

Alex raised his head. Scales covered his mostly human face, except for his slit nostrils. Another arrow buried in his shoulder, and he half growled, half screamed. Raelyn cried out.

“Stop,” she sobbed. “Let me go!”

“Don’t they teach women to respect their husbands in Eynlae? Or is it whatever spell he put on you?” Tristan let go of one of her wrists and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at Alex. “I want you to see the demon for what he is when your enchantment breaks. I command you to be quiet and watch.”

Alex roared. “Get your hands off her!”

Gareth turned toward Tristan. “I knew I didn’t like you,” he said, his voice low.

“You want to die, too?” Tristan snapped.

“Alex, run!” Raelyn screamed.

Tristan picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Her stomach hit his pauldron, knocking the air out of her. Alex roared again and pushed to his feet, then fell back down with a moan as his body quaked, the curse taking over. Raelyn held her breath.

“Kill the monster, Prince Gareth,” Tristan commanded, his tone menacing. He headed toward the trees, carrying her away.

Raelyn pushed up on Tristan’s back, and Alex’s reptilian eyes locked with hers. He bellowed, and his form morphed and grew.Oh, Alex.

The men gasped; a few cursed. Gareth went pale as Alex’s clothes ripped and fell away. The arrows pushed out of his shoulders, leaving no indication they’d ever been there. He stomped a dragon paw and spewed fire into the sky.

“Cousin.” Alex’s voice rumbled in her bones. Tristan stopped. “Slay your own dragons instead of ordering others to do it for you.”

Tristan slowly turned around. Raelyn twisted so she could still see Alexander.

“So you really are a dragon.” Tristan sounded impressed. “My victory over a monster like you should make a good tapestry for my future coronation. Or maybe a painting for my chambers.” He set Raelyn down but didn’t release her waist. “Williams, my sword. Someone bring me a shield.” He looked down at Raelyn. “A kiss for luck?”

“Please.” Her voice wavered. “I’m begging you, my lord. You don’t have to kill him.”

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