Page 32 of The Dragon King's Curse
I nodded, putting the rest of the pieces together. “And for that my people cursed you.”
“Yes. They started the war between us, but I was the one who suffered most. They took away a piece of me that means more than anything. They caged my dragon inside me and tellthemselves that they are heroes.” Noxx released a heavy breath. He tore his gaze from mine, staring down at his boots instead. Gesturing to the scar cutting through one eye, he added, “They left me with this thoughtful reminder as well.”
Surely he would hate me even more if he knew how alluring I found his scar to be. Knowing my people were the source of it left me conflicted and guilty.
There had always been war among the realms. Growing up, it was all I’d ever known. Who had started it originally and where it all began was a mystery to me. I doubted anyone remembered anymore. The unrest had gone on for so long.
My parents had told me about the Dragon King and his kin. They were monsters. Brutes who would happily scorch our realm to ashes if they could. I’d never thought to question what I’d been told.
My father was a good man. He would do anything for my mother and me. Like any man growing up in the middle of a chaotic war, he’d done things that I wouldn’t have agreed with.
It made sense to me now why they hadn’t told me the true story. The curse upon Noxx had come with a loophole. A catch. Like most curses did. If I’d known the truth, the strength of the curse may be weakened. I might begin to feel for him, and that’s the last thing they would ever want.
“Your turn, princess,” Noxx said without looking at me. “Your turn to spill some truth. Tell me how the curse can be broken.”
I swallowed hard, wishing I had some water. Over the years, I hadn’t given much thought to the curse. Now I wished it had never been tied to me, even though I understood why it had to be.
Steeling myself, I took a deep breath and began to speak. “The only way for your curse to be broken is for me to shed tearsfor you. Tears born of the deepest emotion. Only then will your curse be broken.”
Noxx sat stiffly, unmoving. He took some time to mull over what I’d said. I wanted to reach for him, to touch his arm, to draw his golden eyes back to me. I did nothing. He needed his moment.
“So that’s it then,” he said, painful acceptance in his voice. “I’ll never be rid of this curse. My dragon is gone forever.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
FERYN
There was nothing for me to say. No reassurance to offer. The elves had designed the curse so it would be almost impossible to break.
Despite his forced calm, the energy surrounding Noxx changed. He was filled with rage.
“I’m sorry,” I heard myself say. “I wish that I wasn’t part of this.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, careful not to look at me. “I wish you weren’t either.”
Feeling like absolute shit about the turn this conversation had taken, I laid back down and did my best to fall asleep. It was next to impossible. Instead, I stared through the leaves, watching a lightning bug dance around outside our shelter.
A breeze swept through, tousling my hair, leaving my skin chilled. I shivered slightly, more so from the thoughts that plagued me than the temperature. Noxx didn’t know that I struggled with what my family had done.
The four realms had been in conflict my entire life. I should’ve known the elves were as guilty of terrible behavior as anyone else. The thought had never occurred to me that my father had instigated the attack from the dragons.
Placing my hands beneath my head as a makeshift pillow, I closed my eyes tight. If things had been different, Noxx and I may never have ended up in Atlas’s prison together. He’d never have been without his dragon. I imagined the loss of his dragon left him vulnerable. If he’d been able to shift, the fae probably never would have been able to grab him.
Goosebumps broke out on my skin. I curled up in a ball, trying to keep my body heat from escaping. With an annoyed huff, Noxx laid down behind me, pressing close.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”
“Live with it,” he snapped, anger dripping from every word. “I can’t have you freezing on me. Not if we’re going to get out of this realm. Someone needs to be able to speak to the forest.”
Of course. That’s all he needed me for now. Talking to the forest. Now that he knew I wouldn’t be able to break his curse. Once we were out of this forest, there was nothing to stop him from killing me or taking me as a hostage to use against my family. And who could blame him?
I opened my mouth to protest again then closed it without saying a word. I sensed the unrest that shook him. Burning through every fiber of his being. Anything I might say would only anger him further. He needed time to calm down.
Warmth emanated from Noxx. Somehow, I resisted the urge to press closer, to bask in the heat that rolled off him. Even though he wasn’t the friendliest of companions, I was glad to be with him. Trying to escape on my own would have been a challenge.
Not that I couldn’t have handled it on my own. I knew how to wield a weapon and use my magick to the best of my ability. There was something to be said about the loneliness though. Having a companion made it easier to face every coming moment. Knowing that I didn’t have to face it alonestrengthened me. We would get out of here alive. I only hoped that once we were free, I stayed that way.
At some point, I must have fallen asleep. I woke to the sound of birds chirping in the treetops overhead. The sun beamed through the leaves, streaking across part of my face.
