Page 75 of Apples Dipped in Gold

He let the plant grow until it was a few inches tall before he ripped it from the ground and then tore the leaves free, leaving only the stems, from which he squeezed a pulp-like salve onto the cut. When he was finished, he tore a strip of cloth from his tunic and wrapped it around my hand.

“Before you leave, I’ll replace the witch’s rag,” said Lore. “She will be none the wiser.”

The thought of returning to that awful cottage filled me with dread. “Do you think she will know if I do not go back?”

“We risk offending her if we do not do as she says,” he said.

“She expects me to eat when I go back inside,” I said.

“Then we will make it appear as though you have eaten with me,” Lore said, handing me a piece of bread from our own supplies.

I took it, but I wasn’t very hungry. The smell of rancid meat lingered in my nose, which meant I could also taste it in the back of my throat.

I ate the bread and then reached into the satchel for the other waterskin, which was full of wine. I downed a mouthful and then another. When I was finished, I found Lore watching me.

“I can’t escape what I have seen and felt in that cottage,” I said. “Everything looks pretty and clean, but my body tells me otherwise.”

“If I could, I would take your place,” he said. “But I suspect the witch does not like fae, especially elvish princes.”

“I will be fine,” I said, looking down at my hands. “I would do anything for you.”

Slowly, I raised my head and met his gaze. My heart beat faster as I thought about the words I was going to say. Then they started to tumble out of my mouth, and they fell into the air between us where I could not take them back.

“You may think you are cursed,” I said. “But my love for you is very real.”

“Samara.” My name slipped from Lore’s mouth in a pained whisper. “Please, Samara.”

“In two days, I will partake of the golden apple and wish you free of your love for me, but I will still love you. I will always love you. I deserve to know what it’s like to be loved by you before it is too late.”

My voice trembled. I could not tell if it was from anger or sadness. I felt overwhelmed by both at this moment. I rose to my knees and unlaced my dress, pulling it over my head and casting it aside. I sat there, kneeling naked before the prince I had loved for seven long years, waiting for him to say something—anything.

He stared at me, mouth tense.

Just when I started to think he would do nothing, the wordcowardpoised on the tip of my tongue, he was on his knees in front of me. His hand tangled in my hair, and he guided my head back so he could look into my eyes.

“I always dreamed this moment would happen somewhere far nicer than the floor of a stable,” he said. “You deserve more than this.”

“I don’t need anything else,” I said. “I just need you.”

He stared at me a few seconds longer. I think he was looking for any sign of doubt, but I had none. I had never taken what I wanted, but I was going to tonight.

I kissed him, and his hesitation fell away as his fingers fisted in my hair. My lips parted on a moan, and his tongue slid against my own, teasing before he kissed me long and slow and deep. My heart beat rapidly as my hands moved to his chest. I tried to guide him to his back, because all I knew was what we had done last night, but Lore stopped me, smiling as he broke our kiss.

“Be patient, beloved,” he said. Tilting my head back, he brushed his thumb over the curve of my swollen lips. “I have plans for you.”

I liked the look in his eyes. It was hunger, gnawing and deep. The kind that made you feel hollow. I had seen it in his gaze before but to a lesser degree. Tonight, it roared to life, and a thrill shivered through me, knowing that I was what he craved.

“I…don’t know what to do,” I said.

I didn’t need to say it, but I felt like I had to provide some kind of excuse in case I was terrible.

“Samara,” he said, resting his forehead against mine. “You are perfect.”

He kissed me again and then guided me to my back. He didn’t follow but stayed seated on his heels, staring down at me. I felt exposed and moved to cover myself, turning my knee slightly into the other, as if I could hide from Lore, whose eyes only darkened at the sight.

“I will have my face there soon enough,” he said. “You might as well let me look.”

“It is an easy request for someone who is still clothed.”

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