Page 153 of Fate's Sweetest Curse
“Does Marona want the cure?” Hattie cut in, standing. “I can write down the formula.”
“That will not be necessary,” Kalden said. “We have no interest in cures, only eradication. Marona does not condone the use of arcane magic in the manner Fenrir has been exploring.”
“The materials Brendan provided me suggest otherwise,” Hattie said.
“Captain Harrow’s leash is about to get shorter.” Kalden inclined his head, his tone taking on a stony authority, as if Noble and Hattie were knights under his tutelage. “Concern yourself only with convincing Professor Farkept to shut down her program. Once you are successful, you will leave Fenrir and return to Waldron, where you will lie low.”
“What of Hattie’s conundrum?” Noble asked.
“You will be wed,” Kalden said flatly. “That will at least keep her name out of the Census Ledgers.”
Noble was unable to conceal his grin. His heart felt as if it’d sprouted wings; it lifted off, soaring. He spun around, ready to accept Hattie into his arms, but—
Her brows were drawn together, lips twisted into a contorted little frown. She’d wrapped her uninjured arm around her torso in a self-conscious hug, and when she met Noble’s eyes…there was apology in her pretty blue stare.
Then she lowered her arm to her side, balled her fist, and shifted her attention to Kalden.
“We will not be wed,” Hattie said.
Noble’s heart dropped from its flight like a stone.
54
Self
Hattie
The smile on Noble’s face broke apart, and I rushed to his side, placing a hand over his heart again. “Not because I don’t want to,” I assured him in a rush. “But because I don’t want to marry you for the sake of keeping a secret.” A crooked smile teased my lips. “WhenI marry you,” I said, “it will be out of joy and celebration. Not desperation. Not to remove my identity—again.”
My first marriage had been about stripping me of my personhood; I didn’t want my marriage to Noble to be about the same thing. I’d spent enough of my life living a lie, denying myself of being mytrueself.
No more.
Noble closed his hand over mine, pressing my palm more firmly against his chest. “That sounds like a Fortunate Fate,” he said to me, then looked to Kalden again. “We will do as you wish—unwed.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Either kill me, or let me live,” I said. “I will accept no in between.”
“AndIwill accept only the latter,” Noble added.
“Rumors will spread, and the Census Ledgers will lead anyone with ill-intentions directly to you,” Kalden insisted. “Hattie, if you truly wish to evade your lawful claim, it is in your best interest to—”
“Start new rumors, then,” I said. “Or have my uncle update the Arcane Law. I don’t really care, so much as I am left alone.”
“I cannot allow—” A chorus of shouts interrupted Kalden’s refusal.
The three of us went to the tent’s entrance, stepping through the flaps into the searing midday sunshine. At least a dozen horses were loose and racing through camp, soldiers rushing around to contain them before the animals hurt themselves or ran off. Meanwhile, a charcoal-colored horse was galloping over the western hill, disappearing from sight.
So much for the four guards keeping Mariana in camp.
Kalden pushed past Noble and I, barking orders. Following Mariana would be a lost cause, but shedidpose a threat to all that we’d discussed in Kalden’s tent.
As Kalden shouted at his soldiers, trying to restore order, Noble grasped my hand and squeezed.
His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “This might be a good opportunity to…” He pulled back, tipping his head in the direction of a gray mare prancing nervously around a nearby hitching post, yanking at her tether.
Before I could think, Noble was tugging me in the mare’s direction, helping me onto the horse’s back. Once I was settled, Noble untied her lead, fastened the end to her halter to create a makeshift bridle, and—with impressive agility—swung up behind me. Our horse danced sideways, riled by the high energy of the other animals running loose. It took only a tap of Noble’s heels on her belly to send her launching forward.
