Page 59 of The Cursed and the Broken
“And you are a stubborn mule. We make a good match.” He leaned closer. “By the way, if you were wondering what the jewels are for, I’d like you to keep them on when I fuck you. Wearingonlythe jewels.”
A jolt fired down my core and he urged his horse to trot to the front of the procession, laughing as my curses followed behind him.
We made it to Mistvellen just after sundown.
I’d never been so happy to see the night sky. Stars twinkled from black velvet above and the air seemed fresh and crisp after the confines of the forest. I urged Arló onwards, gulping down clean oxygen and my head cleared instantly, freed from the heady fog of the Sötét Erdo.
Lavender climbed my nose and I smiled to myself, welcoming the calming aroma. I spotted the rows of purple lining the hills to the right. Words hadn’t given them justice. They were beautiful and, in the daylight, I knew they’d contrast vividly with the green pastures and the gentle slope of a mountain looming in the distance.
I cast my eyes straight ahead. The trees opened onto a dirt road carving straight through rolling green hills, tulips in reds and yellows and pinks dotting the fields. Beyond, white stone walls with stunning rounded archways cradled the quaint town beyond. Thatched roofs could be seen from the slight rise overlooking the village, but I was more impressed by the buildings above them. Many had rounded domes in hues of sage green, and even shingles lining the roofs.
The architecture was a testament to the gothic style I’d heard was rapidly developing in English and French settlements. My jaw dropped as I stared at this advanced city. To soften the stone maze, creeping ivy sprawled over walls and roofs, and gardens twined gently through the streets. Compared to my humble village, it was a masterpiece.
But it wasn’t the town which took my breath away. Beyond the streets loomed a castle in the same style. Columns of polished marble pierced the sky, arches with shallow divots curved over the courtyards and balconies, windows with round-headed arches peeking out from stone walls.
Raising a brow, I glanced at Dante. “You failed to mention you live in a castle.”
András rode up beside me, an amused grin across his pale cheeks. “Don’t let it get to his head. It’s already fat with self-importance.”
“Don’t be jealous, András,” Dante replied with a smirk. “Petulance doesn’t suit you.”
His friend’s smile only widened. “Why would I be jealous? You can keep your responsibilities, I’ll enjoy the merits of coasting off them.” He turned to me with twinkling green eyes. “I’m quite fond of the friends I keep within those castle walls.”
Dante snorted. “You’re referring to the many servants wrapped around your little finger, of course.”
“Wrapped around something else more often than not, actually.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re both despicable.”
My husband-to-be winked at me. “I never promised otherwise.”
“And do you havefriendswithin the castle too?”
His grin was lazy. “Would it annoy you if I did?”
Yes.Not that I’d admit it. I lifted my chin in the air. “You’re annoying me right now.”
András leaned in. “Don’t tell him that. He’ll make it his goal to continue doing so.”
I glared at Dante. “Need I remind you I have three throwing knives and a dagger strapped to my person right now. If you’re not careful, you might wake up without your precious commodity one morning. I doubt your friends would like you then.”
Dante’s dimples flashed. “Savage, my lady. So youdocare.”
András shook his head. “You’ve done it now.”
Gods, give me the patience required to deal with this insufferable man. Seething, I clenched my teeth together. “By Hadur’s blade, if you don’t shut up, I’ll stab you right now.”
“Bossyandviolent. I think you were made for me, Kitarni.”
My heart fluttered. Was it weird how much I enjoyed this game? I snorted. “You really are depraved.”
“Perhaps. But I think you quite like that.”
I did. Something must be wrong with me, but I did. He challenged me, brought out a woman I hadn’t met before. I liked this new Kitarni. One who didn’t shy away from others or hide her true self. With Dante, I could joke, I could cuss, be vulgar and just beme.
As I opened my mouth to sling some curses at him, András slapped a hand to my mouth. I noticed Dante had stiffened beside me, holding a hand up in the air. Confused, I looked around, trying to spot anything unusual. A flock of birds took to the sky behind us, making me jump.
Whipping my head around, I peered into the woods, searching the boughs, the fat trunks of the outlying trees. Goosebumps prickled my skin as the unnerving feeling of being watched settled over me.
