Page 36 of The Cursed and the Broken
It was odd to think a country at war was saved by something so small as a change in weather. I wondered then if the gods had been watching. But which ones? Many Hungarians had forgone our pagan ways, putting their faith in Him. The one who lived in the heavens. They called Him the “one true god”.
I turned to my mother, who looked lost in memory, conjuring up visions of days long gone. She wrung her hands together, an anxious trait my sister shared too. Mama looked worse for wear today. Dark shadows lined her eyes and her skin was pale. Her usually impeccable hair was all too happy to escape its braid. A sign of her guilt. And her worry.
My heart softened. It, too, thawed like those icy rivers once upon a time. Perhaps the floods would make way for a tentative peace. I still hadn’t forgiven her—I likely would need a long while before I could move past my emotions, but Eszter was right.
Nora was still my mother. I loved her fiercely.
“You never told me Papa was a soldier,” I said to her softly.
She shook her head, brown eyes refocusing on mine. “He never spoke of those days. I think the war took its toll on his mind, so he preferred to leave old stones unturned. I only hope he found peace beyond the grave.”
“I wish I had known him,” Eszter sighed. “I can’t remember what he looked like or the sound of his voice.”
My hand found hers, squeezing gently. I wondered again why it was that the coven and clan did not live as one. Why separate loved ones? Why split families at all? Had it not been for Papa’s illness, would we have ever truly known him? I didn’t think so. Mama seemed to love him in her own way, but a part of me thought perhaps she’d never truly allowed herself to, knowing her place was among her coven, and his among his clan.
Perhaps, if I were to accept this marriage, I might establish new rules for generations to come. A choice for families without fear or exile or abandonment. But first …
First there were bigger fish to fry.
My gaze travelled back to the Wolfblood lord. “Last night you made your allegiances to our coven clear—that you’d fight for us and protect our flock. Does your word still hold?”
“There is nothing more sacred than a man’s truth,” Farkas replied flatly.
I nodded, chewing over my thoughts. If a war was brewing between Sylvie’s followers and our peoples, we would need all the manpower we could get. Magic alone wouldn’t be enough to staunch the flow of cultists. Fighting in the woods had proven as much. If they were drinking these blood potions, attacking with berserk strength, we would need blades to fend off the beasts.
Especially given my kith had no experience with weaponry, nor had the power required to turn their magic into something monstrous.
But I do, I realised. For the first time in my life, I and I alone had the power needed to keep our village alive. My magic was murderous, the dark creature within writhing to be freed. A blessing in disguise, come to rise and bare its teeth.
This was purpose. A chance to prove myself, to untether my wild heart from its leash.
“If you pledge your men to our cause and bolster our defences as soon as you’re able,” I said slowly, “I will allow Dante to court me. Ifbothof us find it agreeable, only then will I accept this marriage proposal. We are not human, your lordship, we do not conform to all human traditions and, as such, I believe it’s within my power to bend the rules. It is my right to have a say in my future.”
Approval gleaned in Farkas’s eyes. “You are a bold one. Most women wouldn’t dare tread above their station.”
I lifted my chin before shifting my gaze to Dante. “I am a witch. There is no place I will not tread.”
The gold in his eyes glinted. So dangerous. Something dark lay beneath the surface. Was it because of me? Because he dreaded a future by my side? No. Dante didn’t strike me as someone who begrudged his duties, who would shy away from responsibility.
I didn’t know what frustrated me more; that I couldn’t penetrate his wards, or that a small part of me wanted to, if only to see that smug smile and haughty countenance wiped from his face.
Were I not so furious at his antics I might have forgotten myself then, but I remained poised, maintaining a queenly air of authority. If I was to become the lady of his house, I might as well start acting like one.
“Just so,” Farkas chuckled. He was silent for a few moments. “In a show of good faith you will live at our estate. It will be a chance for you to familiarise yourself with your new home, and you will be safe under the careful watch of my guards.”
Dante’s brows knitted together. Apparently, this was the first he was hearing of Farkas’s plans. “Is that really necessary?” he said dryly.
I had the impression he wasn’t all too happy with this update but, frankly, I couldn’t care less whether he liked it or not.
“Are you mad?” I blurted. “My family is at risk, and you want me to leave? You know the witches here aren’t fit to protect themselves. Our guards are few, those truly handy with a blade even fewer. I’m sure I don’t have to point out that our good witches are blessed with earth magic—not exactly fighting spirit.”
“Don’t dismiss our power, Kitarni,” my mother said softly. “Magic can be wielded in many ways. The gods saw to that.”
“Youwillrelocate to my home in exchange for our numbers,” Farkas said darkly. His tone brooked little room for argument. Well, for the meek and mild perhaps, and I was anything but that.
Inwardly, I seethed. Leaving my family in a time of crisis rattled me to my core. Especially Eszter. Who would look out for her? Who would lend a comforting shoulder? I certainly couldn’t imagine any táltosok doing so, nor did I want any of them stepping a foot in our door.
She was a child no longer, but I would always look out for my little sister. Half-blood or not, she meant more to me than anything in the world. For her, I would sacrifice my happiness, my future. In turn, she wouldgaina future. A bright one, if Farkas paid his dues and looked after them. She would have enough money to buy all the finest materials in the world so she could sew to her heart’s content and maybe even set up her own business.
