Page 100 of The Bones of the Cursed

I clench my teeth, shocked that one doesn’t crack, and rip my hand out of Kailu’s to stand up so quickly that my chair falls backward. It’s too much. Alanis, the prophecy. Iclas, the matriarch, my father…I can’t breathe. Kailu calls my name as I stumble out the door, but I don’t stop. I storm up the stairs, unaware of anything and everything around me until a voice says, “Mal?”

It stops me in my tracks. The sight of her alone breathes air into my body.

“What is it?”

I shake my head. “Your grandmother is coming, and you are required at the meeting.”

She releases a breath. “From what my father had to say about her, I am not thrilled, but if I must.”

I kiss her hard.

She pulls back, studying me. “Mal…what is going on?”

A lone tear burns down my cheek, and I know I can’t do this without her. I can’t be the person this realm needs unless she is with me every step of the way. So I tell her.

About my father. My fears. My plans. I tell her everything, cutting myself open and letting the words and emotions bleed from my body.

When I’m done and feeling empty and hollow, she brings me back. Kissing me softly.

Always her.

I pull her to me, crushing my lips to hers, just needing to feel something.

Our tongues tangle as I push her back towards our room.

I lose myself in her for hours, only coming out when it’s time for the dreaded meeting with the matriarch.

- ALANIS -

My hands sweat as I reach for the doorknob. Just beyond sits my grandmother, someone my father made sound like a real bitch. Malakai and Kailu stand on either side of me, both offering gentle touches to calm my racing heart.

Squaring my shoulders, I open the door and four sets of eyes turn to me. The king and queen give me a reassuring smile. A black-haired female sits next to the queen, her eyes an odd shade of gray, almost opaque. Next to the king sits a severe-looking female. Her gray hair is pulled into a tight bun on top of her head, her black dress covering every inch of her save her face. She locks her gaze on me, making my heart stutter. Her ice-bluegaze is so similar to my own that it’s like looking in a mirror.

With more bravery than I feel, I walk to the end of the table and take a seat when Kailu pulls my chair back for me.

“So, this is the bastard child my daughter bore. The reason she ran away from home and abandoned her family.”

It’s like all the air was sucked from the room. You would think it wouldn’t hurt since I don’t know this person, but somehow it still does.

“I refuse to sit here and listen to you berate my mate,” Malakai growls. “What is it you want?”

My grandmother rolls her eyes. “Let’s stop with the dramatics. You wanted my help, and I want my granddaughter.”

I huff out a laugh. “You are not my grandmother. We might share blood, but I have no desire to be part of your family or your Godsforsaken coven.”

The matriarch sits speechless, clearly not happy with being talked down to. Too bad I don’t give two fucks.

“Now here I am, just as you wanted, so answer our damn questions.”

Malakai speaks to the old bitch. “Alanis has some type of shield over her mind. The Elves we consulted couldn’t determine what was causing it, but can you?”

The old Witch stands but pauses. “May I?” she asks, snark evident in her tone.

I nod and the matriarch clasps her hands on either side of my head. I grit my teeth in discomfort. Kailu looks about two seconds from flinging himself at her.

When the matriarch pulls away, she clicks her tongue. “A spell is blocking her mind. An intricate one at that. There are very few I know who could pull it off. I can’t pinpoint what exactly it is, though it could be a curse.”

I pale. “A curse? Like the prophecy?”

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