Page 59 of Magic Cursed

As we make our way to the square near the stables, I hold my hand out to Daimis, and without question, he places a slice of apple in it. We go on like that the entire way until the apple is gone. Only then do I remember we used to do the exact same thing all the time as children. I look at him sidelong, but he appears to not have noticed.

We walk into the open square where the commotion of preparing for departure is well underway. The smell of horses and metal hangs in the crisp morning air. Fall’s colder temperatures have settled in for the season, touching my skin with its bitter bite. Most people don’t start travels around this time. Most people are bringing in the harvest to store for winter. But then the Regent has people to do that for him. I just hope we don’t run into any major storms.

No one notices Daimis and me come into the square, probably because we both stay to the shadows, trying not to be seen, instead observing. Horses are being saddled and I take note of the gear being loaded onto them. Nothing out of the ordinary that I can see, but then several horses already have their packs tied down and covered.

The clanging of the Steel Guards’ armor fills the square, mixed with neighs and stomping of hooves. It looks as though everyone in our traveling party is here already; Kellan, the Regent, fifteen Steel Guards, and four servants. I’m not sure why we need the servants. If everyone here can’t properly take care of themselves and their horses, they shouldn’t be going. But I keep my thoughts to myself.

Kellan finally notices me and barely gives me a nod before moving on to something else. I inwardly cringe at the awkwardness of it. Daimis notices, but quickly averts his eyes out of respect, though I’m sure he’s wondering what’s going on.

When I walk out of the shadows, the Regent spots me and narrows his eyes. His hand rests on the pummel of the sword he used to kill my father. I can’t help but imagine that he’d love to use that same sword on me, and a shudder runs through my body. I give him a smile, refusing to let him know just how much he terrifies me. He returns the smile, and I get the feeling that I’m not fooling anyone. He stalks toward me.

I try to act casual, but every nerve in my body is on alert. Once he’s closed the distance, he hovers over me, obviously trying to intimidate me before speaking. I stare back at him squarely, keeping that smile on my face.

“Regent,” I say sweetly.

“You will watch out for any danger and report any threat you see.” His breath fogs in the cold air as he speaks. “If it’s a shadow demon, do what you must to protect me. And the prince,” he adds almost as an afterthought. “But anything else will be dealt with by my guards. If you attempt to run, you will be put in chains, if you attempt to disrupt this quest in any way, you will be put in chains, if you disobey an order—”

“Let me guess; I will be put in chains?” I attempt a bored expression. “Got it.”

He smiles darkly. “You’re catching on well. I don’t tolerate insubordinate behavior. Stay in line, and you’ll get your payment in full.”

“Father, that’s not necessary,” Kellan says, coming up to us. “Sky already agreed to come.”

He just couldn’t hold back the hero in him, attempting to come to my rescue once again. The Regent slowly turns to his son, like he’s trying to rein in his anger. “I will decide what is necessary, boy,” he snaps. “Now get back to work so we can be on our way. We’re wasting precious time.” The Regent stalks off to talk with some of his guards.

Kellan sighs and turns to me with an apologetic look. I almost forget that we’re in a weird spot right now. I take his intervening on my behalf as a peace offering. I give him a genuine small smile and shrug as if to say it’s fine. I knew what I was signing up for when I agreed to this. But even more, I’ll stay in line to keep the Regent from knowing that I’m really here to disrupt his plans. I just have to figure out what those are.

A short, stocky servant with a wide nose and mouth approaches Kellan. “Sir, the cook and the stable hand chosen for this quest are sick.”

“What do you mean sick?” Kellan asks.

“Somethin’ about bad meat in the servants’ stew,” the short man says. He seems familiar somehow, but I can’t place where I’ve seen him. Perhaps I knew him from before. “Worry not good sir, I will be replacing the stable hand, and Miss Ele, will replace the cook,” the man gestures to a slender woman with tightly spiraled black hair. Her back is turned to me, so I can’t see her face, but her posture is perfect and her head held high, odd for a servant.

“Very well. What is your name?”

The man bows his head. “Tom, sir.”

“Welcome, Tom.” He turns to the young woman. “Ele, I do hope your cooking skills are better than those of the one who you’re replacing.”

“Far superior,” she says in a smooth voice.

The first thing that strikes me as odd is her vocabulary, the second is she didn’t say sir. And then the woman turns toward me. She has deep brown eyes, rich brown skin a few shades lighter than her eyes, and ruby-red lips. She’s beautiful with high round cheekbones, full pouty lips, and arched brows. I swear I’ve seen her before, but again, I can’t place where. She gives me a cat-like smile and holy shit; I know exactly who she is. My jaw drops.Elsie.

No.No. It couldn’t be. Could it? I look at the horse hand who gives the woman a scowl, glances at me, and drops his gaze quickly.Tuuk? I gasp. The new members of our traveling party are Tuuk and Elsie, but somehow in human form. This quest has become even more interesting.

Chapter17

Elsie and Tuuk

Elsie and Tuuk should not be here, it’s too dangerous. Knowing exactly how the Regent feels about their kind, I fear what might happen if they’re discovered. I curse. Everyone looks at me and I remember that I’m in a square full of people. “Sorry, I just remembered I forgot something,” I lie and shake my head. “But it’s really not that important.”

I pretend to rummage through my sack but keep glancing at the pair in disbelief. How can they pass off as humans? Des must have spelled them. But why? And what the hell? If Des could spell any of the magic users in Hydenglen to look human, then why did I risk my life every week to go to the black market? I plan on asking Elsie and Tuuk all these questions the moment I can get them alone.

“Tom,” Kellan says to Tuuk. “Which of the horses is your most gentle?”

Tuuk pulls on a brown mare’s reins. “This one’s quite calm, sir.”

Kellan turns to me and gestures to the animal who hangs its head low, as if it has forgotten its will to live. “Your horse.”

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