Page 112 of A Thieving Curse

“You don’t have to be cruel.”

Tristan shifted. “I suppose not.” He turned his horse and rode to the head of the party. “But then, neither did you.”

“What?”

“I waited for you, Princess Raelyn,” he murmured. “I waited, and in return, my first kiss wasn’t even for me.” Leather squeaked as he tightened his grip on the reins. His arms pressed against her sides. “You acted like you wanted to marry me. You made me think you cared about my safety. And now you say you’ll only marryhim.” He paused, as if trying to swallow back the venom in his words. “You ran from me into his arms. You took his side against me. You played me for a fool and cast me aside without a thought.”

Despite her anger, she felt a twinge of remorse. For so long, she had worried her betrothed wouldn’t love her—she had never considered Tristan might have similar fears.

“I wish I could blame it on an enchantment,” he continued, “but an enchantment would have broken either with my kiss or when he became human. I think I knew all along you weren’t enchanted. I just refused to believe it until you looked into my eyes and admitted you love him.”

Raelyn stared at the horse’s twitching ears. Maybe she should try to placate him. “I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant to hurt you.”

Tristan grunted. For several minutes, he was silent. “Why did it have to behim?” he muttered. “Why not anyone else?”

She tried to shift forward, but the saddle wouldn’t allow her the space she wanted between them. “Why do you hate him?”

“Myperfectcousin.” His breastplate pressed against her back. “Always stronger, taller, smarter, more confident. People assumed he was older.”

“That’s not Alex’s fault.” Anger burned in her chest at his shallowness.

“Maybe not.” He stroked her hair, pulling it back from her face.

Raelyn fought the urge to curl her shoulders in. As much as she loathed the idea, he was right—she might have to get used to him. She took a steadying breath.

“But he did steal you. That’s his fault.” Tristan’s gloved fingers brushed against her cheeks. “Why was a monster better than me?”

“I didn’t even know you when I fell in love with him.”

Tristan didn’t respond, but he returned his hand to the reins.

Gareth

“SERIOUSLY?” GARETH LOOKED from the greasy piece of meat in his lap to the soldier who had tossed it there. He couldn’t make out the man’s expression in the dark. “Hands?” He jerked his shoulders, emphasizing his wrists bound behind his back.

“His Highness said you and”—the guard hesitated—“the beast are not to be unbound.”

Alexander snorted. “I suppose we’re meant to be grateful he gave us food at all, after denying us breakfast and dinner.”

“Please, you ate,” Tristan said drily, striding out of the shadows at the edge of camp toward them. “You leeched off your friends.” The soldier moved off to the side.

“We gave what our host denied,” Jasper replied, his placid tone at odds with the rage growing inside Gareth. And at odds with the pain in the older man’s eyes as his bowed back had hunched further and further during their long day of walking.

Tristan ignored Jasper. “Your servants can feed you again, or you can get on your knees and eat like a dog, I don’t care.”

Alexander bared his teeth and made a sound that was probably meant to be a growl.

“Where’s my sister?” Gareth hoped Tristan could see his glare in the dim light.

“Other side of camp. I’m keeping her near me to prevent anymore nonsense.”

Indignation flamed over Gareth’s face. “She should be with me—”

“Because you dosuchan excellent job of keeping track of her?” Tristan scoffed. Guilt settled like molten lead in Gareth’s chest. “Don’t worry,” the prince added, “I’ll take good care of her.”

“Tristan.” Alexander’s voice lowered. “If you touch her, I swear—”

“You’ll what,Alex?” Tristan crouched in front of Alexander. “This is not a game you can win. The throne, Raelyn, they are mine. You are an abomination corrupted by evil magic, and you deservenothing, least of all someone as pure as her.”

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