Page 28 of The Cursed and the Broken
That devil’s grin stretched upon his face as he approached, like a cat pouncing on his prey. “You lie.” And, lifting my dress slowly up my leg, he perused the bandage, speckled with fresh blood and seeping into my frock.
“Well fuck,” I sighed. “This is my finest dress.” He ignored me, sweeping a steady hand up my thigh, so high I felt tingles where I had absolutely no right to. I should stop him. The immodesty of it,the boldnessof his actions. Had anyone seen, it would ruin my reputation.
I snorted internally.
Of course, that would require having something to lose, and my reputation had already been burned and swept forgotten under a rug. “I’m flattered, táltos, but etiquette demands you court a lady before looking beneath her skirts.”
He grinned up at me, teeth flashing, and my heart might well have skipped a beat at that expression. A genuine smile. The táltosdoeshave a heart.
I looked back towards the festival below. After his inspection, his fingers curled even higher up my leg, sending pinpricks over my skin. It took every effort to slap his hand away and paste a bored expression on my face.
“Your bandage needs changing, milady.”
I snorted. “Oh, please, spare me the courtly dribble. You’ll need it elsewhere.”
He raised a perfect brow in answer.
“Caitlin Vargo,” I explained. “She’s the chief elder of our council and if she catches you cavorting with any ladies, she’ll split your sack two ways from Sunday.”
“You’ve quite the dirty mouth on you, Kitarni Bárány.”
My eyes widened. “How do you know my name?”
“I know many things.” He grinned, those stupidly perfect dimples curving on both cheeks as he turned to walk away. “Get that dressing looked at. Unless you’d like me to do it for you? I’m quite good with my hands.”
My cheeks blazed again at the insinuation. Preposterous. A trap if I’d ever seen one.
My traitorous body thrilled at the idea. “Keep your dirty paws off. I can do it myself.”
His eyes flashed once more before he stalked away. “As you wish. See you at the festival.”
Sighing in frustration, I watched him go with hands on my hips, sparing a glance at that impeccable ass clad in black leathers. I’d changed my mind. I needed to know who this damnable rooster was, if only so I could knock him on his ass. “Whoare you?”
A dark chuckle was all that answered me.
ELEVEN
“By the gods,” I groaned,leaning against Eszter. “I don’t know how your feet aren’t flayed to ribbons. You’ve been dancing all day.”
My sister laughed as she curtsied before me. “You should try it, Kit. Do you even remember the concept offun?”
I scowled. “Forgive me for not crying for joy about tonight. I can hardly dance with a partner of my choosing seeing as I’m to be married soon. Mama is to introduce us to Lord Sándor shortly, and I suspect he will be displeased if he’s met with spoiled goods.”
She rolled her eyes. “A simple dance is hardly a romp among the sheets.”
“Well, colour me impressed! My little sister grows bolder as the hours grow later. If Caitlin heard that potty mouth of yours, she’d send you to a nunnery swifter than a priest getting his bells tolled.”
It was Eszter’s turn to purse her painted lips. “She’s busy cosying up to the Wolfblood leaders. We’re safe from her dragon’s breath for now. Come, dance with me, before—”
She stopped herself, but I knew the words she wouldn’t say. “Before I’m carted off to become someone else’s property?” I snapped.
Eszter’s shoulders drooped, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “What will I do without you?”
Softening, I placed a hand over her own. “You will carry on, dear flower. Who knows, you might have a match of your own soon. A new adventure to embark on. I’ve seen you dance the night away with all those eligible bachelors, their jaws have been dragging on the floor, along with some drool, I think.”
Her face brightened again. “My dance cardhasbeen full. Thank the gods. An older gent keeps trying his luck and I haven’t had the heart to tell him to keep his sweaty paws off.” She spared a glance at a rotund balding man, his scalp so shiny I wondered if it would reflect other surfaces. Catching her gaze, he smiled and bowed, and Eszter quickly looked away. “Please, Kitarni, I’m too young to die.”
“So dramatic.” I rolled my eyes. “But it would appear your next suitor will do quite nicely.”
