Page 23 of A Thieving Curse

She closed the door and limped to the bed, reviewing her plan. Stay alive. Try to convince the dragon-man to change his mind or Jasper or Meredith orsomeoneto help her. Find her family and make it to her wedding.

In the yellow firelight, she examined her hand. The blood had dried, but a smear marked her dress. She removed her boots, biting her tongue to keep from crying out as she maneuvered her swollen ankle out of the leather. Red stained the bandage.

Someone knocked. Raelyn wiped tears from her eyes. “Hello?”

A woman breezed in, carrying a bowl, rag, and bandages. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a loose bun at the nape of her neck, and freckles were scattered across her nose and full cheeks. She was about Raelyn’s height, but fuller of frame and around Mother’s age. A small white apron with pockets was tied over her plain brown dress.

“I’m Meredith.” The woman had a motherly tone. She smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Raelyn, right?”

“Um…” She wasn’t used to anyone other than family calling her by her given name. But what was the point of titles in this place? And she needed Meredith’s help. “Yes.”

“Alex said you fell and hurt your hand.” Meredith sat next to Raelyn on the bed and settled the bowl on her lap. “May I see?”

“Oh. Thank you.” Raelyn held out her hand, and Meredith washed off the dried blood. Raelyn winced as the water stung at the scrapes and fresh blood beaded along her skin. “Do…you live here?”

“Around the corner and down the hall, yes.”

“With others?” Raelyn pressed.

“My husband and son. And Jasper, whom you’ve met.” Meredith wrapped the bandages around Raelyn’s hand and tied the ends. Her movements were gentle. Meredith didn’t belong in a mountain cave, answering to a monster.

Raelyn cleared her throat. “Why?”

Meredith looked up, incredulous, as if it should be obvious. “Alex can’t hide just anywhere.” She patted the back of Raelyn’s bandaged hand. “That will be better in no time. Now.” She pushed up Raelyn’s skirt. “How’s your ankle—oh, you poor child!”

She peeled away the dirty bandage, and Raelyn yelped as dried blood unstuck from her skin. Meredith clucked her tongue as she assessed the oozing puncture marks.

“You need to stay off this.” Meredith wrung out the rag and cleaned the wounds. “The good news is the bite marks aren’t deep.”

Raelyn gripped the blanket, grinding her teeth as her eyes watered.

“They also don’t look infected,” Meredith continued as she worked. “You should heal quickly. Then maybe when you’re feeling better, you can help me with chores.” She cast a grin at Raelyn before returning to bandaging. “I’m looking forward to having another woman around here. Don’t get me wrong, I love the boys, but I miss…” She gave the slightest shake of her head. “Maybe dishes to start. Alex hates doing them.”

The dragon-man did the dishes? Raelyn had difficulty picturing that. Meredith made the beast sound so…domestic. “Alex,” she said slowly. “You talk about him like he’s…”Normal.

“Family?” Meredith chuckled. “I practically raised him; he should be.”

“So he’s not forcing you to stay here?”

“Of course not—oh. Right.” Meredith blushed. “No. We stay because we love him.”

Raelyn fiddled with the bandage on her hand. Maybe the dragon-man had enchanted Jasper and Meredith. But then, why hadn’t he ensorcelled Raelyn? She searched Meredith’s face. If Meredith were enchanted, would she be able to tell?

“Earlier,” Raelyn said, “he changed. His eyes, his nose. He grew more scales. He breathes fire.” The older woman gave no indication any of that bothered her. “Why aren’t you terrified of him?”

“Because I have no reason to be.” Meredith looked at Raelyn likeshewas the crazy one.

Raelyn considered this for a moment. “Then…would you help me get safely to the pass?”

Meredith gave her a sad smile. “Even if I could, no. I’m sorry. Alex hasn’t exactly forbidden it, but he’s made it clear he wants you to remain here for now, and I understand why. Besides, he may be like a son to me, but he’s still my prince.”

Anger flared through Raelyn. “But it isn’t fair! And he’s not a prince, he’s a—”

“Don’t youdaresay monster.” Meredith picked up the bowl and stood, her expression hardening. “Or beast, or demon, or whatever you were thinking. Dragon isn’t inaccurate, but it’s still cruel. He’s a person, just like us.”

“Like us?” Raelyn shook her head. “He’scursed!”

Meredith breathed in so sharply her breath whistled through her teeth. “It’s not his fault! He was a child! He…” She sighed. “You need to talk to him. Then you’ll understand.” She turned on her heel and strode out, letting the door swing shut behind her.

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