Page 64 of The Cursed and the Broken
A shiver ran down my spine and the hairs on my arms raised, but just as quickly as it came, the strange feeling was gone. I shook my head, shifting to sit up.
It was probably just my sluggish mind playing tricks.
“Forgive my forwardness but … who are you?”
She pouted, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “He didn’t mention me? How disappointing. I’m Margit, your betrothed’s cousin.” Frowning, she smoothed her dress down. “Honestly, after everything I do for the Sándor family, I deserve a medal or a crown.”
A voice interrupted from the door. “For emptying the coffers to fund your numerous closets?”
Dante leaned against the threshold, one perfect eyebrow raised in amusement. He’d bathed and was now dressed in a white shirt, a charcoal-grey doublet, and black slacks. His olive skin gleamed in the candlelight and his wet hair was raked back. By all that was holy, it should be a sin to be so handsome.
Margit straightened. “Someone has to run the place while you and Farkas are off gods-only-know-where. I deserve to treat myself.”
“Do all of your treats come with gems the size of eggs?”
She grinned wickedly, dismissing the question with a wave of her hand. “My nest eggs serve me well. Not all of them were born from your pocket, I’ll have you know. My suitors come bearing gifts, too.”
Dante snorted. “Poor souls. I hope you let them down easy when you’re finished with them.” He turned to me. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been stabbed,” I retorted with a smile.
“My brave girl. Have you thought about my request?”
Straight to the point, then. Margit gazed at me curiously while the silence stretched. I’d made my decision last night but saying the words would make it real. My throat bobbed as I swallowed.
“I … I’m willing to try the bloodletting. Under one condition. If I say we stop, you are to obey without question. I’ll not heal myself by putting your life at risk.”
“Done,” he replied without hesitation. “Let’s get started.”
“Now?” I squeaked.
His eyes flashed devilishly. “Unless you have a prior engagement?”
My only defence was to send him a withering glare.
TWENTY-SEVEN
“Shouldn’t someone else come withus in case, you know, you start dying on me?” Snakes slithered in my belly, writhing into one big tangle of nerves. I was anxious about bloodletting with Dante, but I was strangely calm. I should have been terrified, but he made me feel safe, capable.Powerful. I shivered in his hold as the chill air of the castle caressed the bare skin of my arms.
He held me tighter to his chest as he stalked down the corridor, his strides purposeful as he carried me to his quarters. I’d insisted on walking, of course, but he refused to give in to my complaints. And truly, I could think of worse things than being cradled by his warmth—the corded muscle of his triceps.
“I have every faith neither of us is going to die tonight.”
“How do you know?” I breathed.
He glanced at me, his dark brown eyes bathed in an indecipherable expression. “Because I have faith in you.”
My insides warmed at the comment. Whether it was the sincerity of it, or that he’d said such a thing tome, I didn’t know. I remained quiet and we lapsed into silence as he walked.
The castle corridors were lined with smooth, sandy-coloured stone and dotted with sconces creating flickering ambiance as the moonlight crept through the slitted windows. Art depicting battles and feasts lined the walls in gilded frames, and the stone floor was laid with running red carpets trimmed with gold. The castle was bright, cosy and surprisingly busy at this time of night.
Guards were few and far between, but the many rooms we passed were filled with people. Laughter bounced down the halls as servants finished up their nightly rounds and nobles strutted past with bright eyes and gentle smiles.
If they were intrigued by their lord carrying a dishevelled woman in his arms, they didn’t show it. Were such oddities a common occurrence around here? My stomach coiled for the briefest moment and I blinked. Was that jealousy? I almost scoffed.Oh, Kitarni, foolish girl.
Dante greeted everyone we passed by name, bidding them a good night or a pleasant evening. All smiled in return. I looked at him in awe. He hadn’t been lying about the ideals of equality. He was obviously given the respect deserved as the lord-in-waiting of the castle, but no one—not one soul—seemed indifferent or angry or jealous about his standing.
“You really weren’t lying about the way of life here.”
