Page 42 of Beneath the Flames
“Stone heart?”she asked, ripping me from my thoughts.Her lips twisted as she repeated the words, thinking through them from every angle.“Is it sayingyouhave a heart of stone?Well, that’s not so bad.What do you despise the most?Let’s find a way for you to love it instead, and then poof!You’re free.”
I blinked at her.“If it were that simple, I’d already be free.”
Her shoulders sank, as if I had gravely insulted her.“I’m trying to help you,” she deadpanned.
“No, you’re trying to help Nico.”
“Does it really matterwhoI’m helping?Breaking the curse is breaking the curse.”
If only she understood what that actually meant for her.
But I couldn’t tell her that.
Then there would be no chance of the curse being broken.
I would doom myself if I told her the truth.
That being: I had to fall in love with a human, and...
If she was going to free Eroth and me,shehad to fall in love with me in return.
***
Maren was really annoying.
The longer I spent with her, the more she got under my skin.I didn’t know if it was the constant movement of her pacing back and forth before she’d sit for a few measly seconds before pacing again or the constant babble coming out of her mouth.
If she did end up being the one, the curse sure had a funny sense of humor of who had to fall for me.
Because there was no way Maren would ever love me.
Or I her.
There was loathing in her eyes—and fear—always battling for which emotion would be on display.
She hated me—and I supposed rightfully so.
No, she would never love me.
I could already see what would happen.She would genuinely try her best.Maren would give all of herself for it, and yet it wouldn’t be enough.I would watch the Magmara drip and drop the last of its petals, sealing my fate.Eroth’s fate.Then it would be over.She would die.
And so would I.
It was clear as day in my mind how all of this would play out.
That was if my magic didn’t lash out and kill her first.Which, with the way it was currently burning in my palms, was a real possibility.
“Aren’t curses supposed to have like…a series of things you’re supposed to do to break them?Are you sure that was all of the curse?I thought you said there were conditions you had to meet.I feel like we’re missing more information.”Her fingers tangled in her hair in frustration, and I had a sudden terrifying desire to grab her hands to stop her.
Oh no, you don’t.
“I think that’s the point, human.For itnotto be broken,” I drawled.
Her lips pursed, and she scowled.“I’m trying to help you,Rhydian.”She spat my name likeitwas a curse.
“I don’t know why you’re bothering.It’s pointless.You saw the flower.Time is almost up.”
“All the more reason to work together to figure this out.”She studied me for a second, eyes narrowing.“Do youwantto die?Do you want Eroth to be destroyed, Nico with it?”
