Page 20 of A Thieving Curse

“The Carbreys can’t break a treaty over a dead princess.”

The careless way he said it added to her anger and pushed away her fear. “What is the point of keeping me here? Just help me find my family like Jasper said you would!”

“That was before.” The dragon-man’s unnerving stare bored into her.

“Before you learned who I am? Why does it matter to you? Please.” She gripped the arms of her chair. “Ihaveto marry the crown prince.”

The monster snorted, and a tendril of smoke curled from his nose. He picked up his fork and started eating again, ignoring her. Raelyn pushed her plate away, no longer hungry. After a few minutes, she sighed.

“Why are you keeping me here? At least tell me that.”

The dragon-man glanced at Jasper, then pushed his food around his plate. “I suspect you won’t like what I have to say.”

“I don’t like being held captive, so I’d expect not.” She flinched, regretting the harshness of her tone. Probably best not to anger her beastly captor.

His wings rustled as he leaned back in his chair. “I can’t allow you to marry Tristan Carbrey.”

“What?” Her stomach twisted. “Why not?”

“Because.” He tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “You’re my bride, not his.”

7

RAELYN’S MOUTH FELL open. Her mind emptied, as if she’d forgotten how to form coherent thoughts. One word played on repeat in her head, banging inside her skull.Bride. Bride. Bride.She pushed out of her chair and stumbled away from the table and the beast.My bride.

Her vision swam as Frederick’s voice echoed in her memory.“You would have been a monster’s bride.”Her foot caught the ripped hem of her dress and she fell to the ground. Pain shot through her ankle.I have to get away.

The rustle of leathery wings and scrape of scales on stone warned her of the monster’s approach. She tried to scramble to her feet but tripped and landed hard on her palms. A clawed hand moved in front of her face. She looked up, her heart pounding. The demon leaned down, his hand extended in a gesture of assistance.

“Get back!” Raelyn crawled backward until she bumped against the table. “Don’t touch me! You can’t…” A sob caught in her throat.Knife. I need to get the steak knife.

The dragon-man dropped his hand. His eyelids drooped in his haggard face. “I won’t hurt you, Princess. I’m not planning on forcing you to marry me. But I’m not going to let you marry my cousin, either.”

“Cousin?” She pulled herself up on the table and eyed the knife a short reach away. Realization washed over her like a flood. She clapped her hand over her mouth.Alexander. PrinceAlexanderTallon. The monster prince.Not…dead.She swayed and leaned against the table.Impossible.But she couldn’t deny that the monster standing in front of her matched the stories.

He nodded grimly. “We were engaged first. You were supposed to marry me.”

Her knees wobbled. “King Henry killed the monster prince to save the kingdom.” The words rushed out.

His eyes glowed. “I escaped before he had the chance. And I’m not a monster.”

“No,” she whispered, feeling along the table for the knife. She didn’t dare look away from him. “You’re a demon.”

A low growl rumbled in his throat and his wings shuddered. “I’m not a demon!” His tail whipped back and forth. “Jasper, explain!” He stomped back to his chair.

Jasper stepped forward. “He’s cursed. But he can’t tell anyone that. Part of the curse.”

Raelyn glanced at the arched entryway. She could run, but not far. If she didn’t find her way out, she would barricade the door to her room. Maybe she could climb up the chimney. The smoke had to escape somewhere.

“Please,” the monster prince said. “Sit.”

She grabbed the closest candle and the knife and jerked away from the table. “You won’t have me.” She retreated slowly, afraid he would give chase. She couldn’t outrun him.

The demon eyed the knife, then met her gaze, a muscle twitching along his jaw. “I’m not going to touch you. You needn’t fear me. You can be a guest here, free to move about the mountain as you please. I know it’s not a palace, Princess. But it’s not so bad.”

“A guest can leave.” She edged backward. “Let me go.”

He scowled and his eyes shone like beacons. “You won’t make it halfway down the mountain. Go, if you want to die.”

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