Page 17 of A Thieving Curse

“Not until you apologize to Princess Raelyn.”

The dragon-man threw back his head, and a fountain of flames shot from his mouth. Raelyn hugged her arms around herself and squeezed as her stomach flipped. Threatening him had been a disastrous idea.

“Stop being a child,” Jasper said, his voice patient but unamused.

“I need to go.” The monster’s voice had become rough as sandpaper and rumbled like thunder.

“Better apologize quickly, then.”

The beast grunted and turned toward her. Scales covered his neck; his nose had flattened, and his nostrils had transformed to slits. “I apologize for grabbing you and treating you roughly, Princess.” His tongue, now narrow and forked, flicked between his teeth. He groaned, then rushed out of the room.

Moments later, a roar shook the walls. Raelyn curled up smaller and bit her tongue as tears burned her eyes. A sound of flapping wings followed, and the door swayed in a breeze that should have been impossible inside a cave. Another roar, then the noise and wind faded.

Jasper turned pitying eyes on her. “I apologize, Your Grace. He tries, but…he was hot-blooded to begin with. Are you all right?”

“All right?” She didn’t try to control the hysterical edge to her voice. That…that…demon—”

“His name is Alexander,” Jasper said sharply. “He’s not a demon.”

“Dragon, then.” She rocked back and forth on the bed. “What does he want with me?”

“He won’t hurt you.” His reassuring tone mocked her.

She glared at him. “You said I’d be returned to my family, so forgive me if I don’t believe you! Why does it matter who I am? And why didn’t I lie?” A tear slipped down her cheek.

Jasper sighed. “That’s…complicated. It’s also not for me to explain. He should tell you himself. And I know it may seem odd, but I’m glad you didn’t lie. This could be the best thing that’s happened to Alexander.”

“Ibegyour pardon?” Her hands curled into fists. “To thatmonster? What about my family? My betrothed? What aboutme?”

“I expect it will be good for you, too.” Jasper frowned. “Perhaps you’ll learn about not judging based on appearances.”

She gawked at him. “There’s a difference between judging based on appearances and recognizing that…thingis not human!”

“Oh, he’s very human.” There was a heartbreaking sadness to his voice that gave her pause. “You’ll see in time.”

“In time? I’m not staying here!” She eyed the door, but fear kept her rooted to the bed. “I won’t be that thing’s prisoner. I can’t.” Her voice cracked, betraying her.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.” Jasper shook his head. “Alexander will calm down, and when he does, he may change his mind. I doubt he has any idea what he plans on doing yet. But if you want your time here to be pleasant, I suggest you stop calling him epithets and start calling him Alexander. That’s his name.”

“I owe that monster no—”

“Call him that again”—Jasper’s voice lost all friendliness—“andI’mgoing to lose my temper next. If I lose my temper, you won’t get supper.”

She gaped. “Why are you on his side?”

“Because he’s…my lord. And a good man, despite everything he’s been through.”

“Lord? Man?” Maybe Jasper wasn’t a liar. He was just insane. “Have youseenhim? He’s a…”

Jasper raised his brows, as if daring her to say what she was thinking.A beast. He breathes fire. His tongue was forked!

“He seems cruel,” she ventured. “He said I could go, then changed his mind.” She rubbed her forearm where the monster had grabbed her. “I think he bruised my arm.”

“I am sorry. He knows better, and it shouldn’t have happened.” Jasper massaged his neck, making the curve of his upper back more pronounced. “He hasn’t lost his temper like that in some time. It’s just…you’ll understand when he explains.” He bowed. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.” He left, and the lock in the door clicked.

Raelyn stared at the door for several moments, stunned. This couldn’t be happening. Just in case, she tried the door. It didn’t budge. She was trapped, and she had thrown away her only chance of escape. Although directionless wandering in the mountains days away from her family hadn’t been much hope, anyway.

She curled up on the bed and cried until her chest ached and she was exhausted. All the times she had joked with Gareth about slaying monsters, his teasing that princesses got captured so brave knights could rescue them, and her insistence she would kill the monster herself, came back to her. It was one thing to talk of legendary beasts in the shelter of castle walls. It was another to face a fanged man with horns who breathed fire. She doubted she could get close enough to use a weapon if she had one.

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