Page 45 of The Cursed and the Broken
As for Laszlo, he was a little lordling, but he was fiercely protective of me and, as much as it begrudged me to admit, hedidseem fond of Dante.
The subject of my ire nudged his horse toward mine, casting me a tentative glance. “You okay, Freckles?” His tone was mocking, certainly anything other than genuine.
I glared at his insistent use of that nickname. “Fine,” I snapped. “Just eager to reach Mistvellen. I feel like the woods are watching.”
His brown eyes scanned the trees. “There are many creatures who dwell within the dark.”
I raised a brow. “I know the outer reaches of these woods like the back of my hands. Nothing has ever attacked me this close to the village.”
He cocked his head, studying me. “Yet. The cultists’ influence over these lands has changed things. You recall the wolves when we first met?”
“How could I forget?” I replied drily, recalling their berserk behaviour, the feral brightness of their eyes. I’d never seen any creature act like that before.
“When we found Hanna, did you notice the foliage seemed sick?”
“Corrupted,” I agreed, remembering the sticky black that oozed over leaves and sticks. “Do you think their dark magic is destroying the forest?”
Dante frowned, his lips pressing thin. “We can only assume the worst. Something tells me the wolves were just the beginning. If their dark magic is messing with the balance of nature, it could be more creatures in this forest have been affected.”
My stomach jolted. There were worse things than wolves in there. Much, much worse. I prayed we didn’t meet any. My thoughts turned to the gentler beings of the forest. “The faeries,” I said with a start. “What if they’re at risk?”
Dante’s lips quirked ever so slightly at my outbreak. “Friends of yours?”
“A couple,” I admitted, thinking fondly of Jazmin and Lili. The sisters were the most beautiful creatures I’d ever seen. Jazmin had sable skin, tight ringlets and a face to rival a goddess, and Lili’s skin was pale, her white hair flowing in gentle waves. Both had skin tattooed with florals, the ink like silver veins snaking across their flesh. Both were the closest thing to friends I’d ever had.
A small smile curved my lips as I thought of the last time I saw them. We’d spent a summer’s day lounging in a rock pool, sharing stories about our peoples and laughing together. Jazmin had taught me how to weave fishing nets made from grasses, and Lili had showed off with her water magic, creating animals out of water and sending them skipping around the pool. Time spent in their company was always magical, always fun.
It had been a simple day, but one I deeply cherished. The sisters always found a way to make me feel on top of the world. They treated me with respect and kindness and unending warmth. It reminded me that I wasn’t alone. That being different wasn’t always a bad thing.
The thought of something happening to them—to their homes—was terrifying.
“Faeries are powerful creatures,” Dante replied, pulling me from my thoughts. “Their magic is bound to the forest itself. Should danger come, their power will protect them.”
I relaxed a little in my saddle, curiosity getting the better of me. “How do you know all this?”
He grinned, his gaze sliding lazily over me. His palm stretched out to my thigh, squeezing gently, causing my spine to stiffen. “Dangerous creatures have always interested me.”
I had the distinct feeling that included me. Batting his hand away and shooting him daggers, I shook my hair from my face. “Dangerous creatures shouldn’t intrigue you, Dante. If you had any sense, you’d stay well away.” I gazed at the leaves littering the ground as we wound our way around trees, all too aware we were doing the exact opposite.
“Now where would the fun be in that?” His lips caught the shell of my ear as he whispered and I nearly fell off my saddle. His arms snaked out and caught me.
“Prick,” I hissed under my breath.
He only laughed, urging his horse to the front of our party. I watched as he talked with his guards. Not with the snobbish air of a lord commanding officers, but as a comrade—an equal. They looked at him with respect that was earned by deed and not by title. Impressive. I wondered if this easiness would encompass all Mistvellen. If so, perhaps there was hope after all.
I rode alone for a while, not really seeing or hearing as we progressed through the forest. My mind was too caught up in a tangle of thoughts, and my heart deflated in my chest with each step away from my home.
I didn’t even notice when Dante rode back, another rider in tow. They flanked either side of me until I was boxed in and finally I looked up, a frown marring my face.
“I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine. This is András, my second in command. He’s a bastard, but a necessary one. Don’t pay him much mind.”
On my left was a fair-skinned young man with cropped blond hair and green eyes. He wasverypleasing to the eye with a heartbreaker smile and a body a sculptor would swoon over. If he wasn’t careful, Dante would have a run for his money. Before I could apologise for his royal ass’s behaviour, the man beat me to it.
“It’s true, my lady,” he said with a sparkling smile. “I’m a bastard born and bred, but no less charming, I promise. It is an honour.” He took my gloved hand and kissed it gently.
I smiled sweetly in return before glancing at Dante. “The lesser of two evils, I’m sure. I don’t know how you put up with him, András. His head is so far up his ass, I don’t know how you can carry him all the time. You deserve a medal, or at least a raise.”
András laughed. “Oh, I like her,” he said to Dante before turning back to me, leaning close and whispering in a conspiring tone. “I think you and I are going to be great friends.”
