Page 2 of A Kiss From a Dragon Lord

He drops the lock of my hair and steps back.

“What I want, Anwyn is for you to repay me for my silence.”

“What would that entail?” Mr. Wicksome smirks as he walks back over to the table.

“My wife died a few years ago—”

“Yes,” Mrs. Hitherbend interrupts, “what an unfortunate accident that was.”

The room begins to spin and my knees begin to shake.

“Quite tragic, you are right. She was barren and left me without an heir. You appear `healthy enough to bare me a few. Therefore, I will take you as my wife and you will come and live with me as a part of my household.”

“I—”

“How wonderful!” Mrs. Hitherbend cries, clapping her hands together. “I just got done telling Ethel she needs to find a good husband. One who will love and care for her when she’s old and wrinkly like me.”

I swallow as Mr. Wicksome grins, turning back towards the table. He digs around in his coat pocket until he produces a small bag of coins. Setting them down in front of Mrs. Hitherbend, he nods to her and then back to me.

“It is settled then. I will arrive at dawn with the priest, where I will take you as my wife.” I just manage not to bare my teeth at him as he leers down my body again. “Make sure to get plenty of rest. You’ll be needing it. I’m looking forward to you showing me just how grateful you are that I’m keeping your secret.”

Reaching behind me, my fingers curl around the butter knife left out on the counter. The old metal grows hot in my hand. I should drive this dull blade into his neck, that would be another way to assure his silence.

However much I want to, I can’t. Not as Mrs. Hitherbend leads him to the door and bids him farewell. I haven’t moved from my spot in the small kitchen. My knees shake in time with my pounding heart.

“You are lucky, my dear,” Mrs. Hitherbend says, sitting back down at the table. “Mr. Wicksome is a wealthy man who will take care of you.”

“He’s evil,” I say.

“Nonsense child. Though I will miss your help around here, your place is at your husband’s side. Giving him children. If only my sister were still alive, she’d be thrilled to hear about your good fortune.”

Mrs. Hitherbend takes a sip of her tea that has long since gone cold. I let the knife clatter back onto the counter behind me.Good fortune?Any luck I may have had over these last years has finally decided to run out. Time is not on my side and one thing is certain: I can’t stay in this village a moment longer.

Looking out the window, the cracks in the glass appearing like a cluster of cobwebs, I sigh deeply. I wish I had time to wait for the tradesman, but I can’t risk it. The walls are closing in on me, and if I want to put enough distance between me and this town by morning, I’ll need to set off now.

This village is the most remote place I’ve ever sought lodging. It’s the last settlement for miles and is completely surrounded on each side by dense foliage. The townspeople all claim thatThe Woodsare inhabited by nightmarish creatures who kill anyone who ventures inside. Tales to keep children from misbehaving if you ask me.

Besides, in my experience, humans are scarier than any creature this forest could conjure up.

Leaving Mrs. Hitherbend at the table, I quickly go to my room and pack the few items that I have in a worn leather bag. The only things to my name are a small bag of gold coins, an old book, and my mother’s gold necklace. I need to travel light so I can make it throughThe Woodsquickly. There has to be a town on the other side where I can seek shelter.

The leather on my boots is worn down, but it will hold for this journey. I cover my thin, gray wool dress with a dark cloak before slinging my bag across my shoulder. Quickly braiding back my hair, I walk into the kitchen and head for the door.

“Where are you going?” Mrs. Hitherbend asks.

My hand tightens on the doorknob as I dare a glance back over my shoulder. The deep wrinkles around her brown eyes stretch as she squints at me. Mr. Wicksome’s dowry for me sits heavy on the table. I should take it, but I won’t leave Mrs. Hitherbend with nothing.

Turning from the door, I march over to her as she leans back slightly in her chair. Scooping up the small bag of coins, I thrust it into her hands, closing her bony fingers around the purse.

“You don’t have a sister,” I say. Mrs. Hitherbend lets out a gasp. My hand tightens on hers, holding the coins. “A tradesman is coming in the morning. Buy passage on his ship and have him take you to the next town over. There is a doctor there who can help with your memory. Use this to pay for the treatment. Leave while Mr. Wicksome is busy searching for me.”

“What do you mean—”

I don’t hear the rest of her question. Moving quickly on my feet, I push through the door and onto the barren town street. No one is milling around; the dark rolling clouds overhead signal an impending storm. It’s not ideal traveling weather, but that means no one is around to see me slip behind the house and walk fifty feet to the edge of the forest.

It’s silent beyond the tree line. The sounds of twigs snapping and wildlife running through the leaves are absent. I chance one last look back at the village. A small pang of regret at the lies I told Mrs. Hitherbend threaten to weaken my resolve. Even after all these years of lying to survive, I’m not immune to the toll dishonesty can take on a person.

I shake myself from those thoughts. My guilty conscious isn’t enough to make me marry a lecherous man like Mr. Wicksome. With a deep breath, I march forward, allowing myself to be swallowed up by the tall trees around me.

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