Page 21 of The Dragon King's Curse
There was such attitude in that last remark. Spoken like someone who had no regrets about what they’d done to my people.
“And you think I’m uptight and difficult,” I muttered. “Tell me, Noxx, why did you help me? I’d think you would be happy to leave me to the fae and let them do what they wish with me.”
His voice was low and gritty when he said, “You know why.”
“Because you think that I’m able to break your curse? Is that the only thing keeping me alive right now?” Fear slithered through me. I was in the presence of a vicious killer. Not only that, I was in his arms, at his mercy.
Noxx’s embrace tightened just enough for me to feel it, to know that if I wanted to get away from him, he could easily stop me. “Your family thought I would never find out about you. That you are the curse breaker. They were fools to tie the curse to you. Have you ever asked yourself why they chose you?”
Such magick often came with a price. Twisting a curse often came with a demand from the powers that be. Every curse could be broken. An unfortunate loophole in the magick. The magick had to be tied to me because I was the only living heir to my father’s throne.
“The magick chose me. I am the only heir to the elven throne. You should know that magick is never as cut and driedas it seems. I can’t simply will your curse to be broken and have it so. It doesn’t work that way.” Why was I telling him this? Why was I talking to him at all? Sharing the details of the curse would only get me killed that much faster. Once Noxx knew that I could never help him, he would have no reason to keep me alive.
“So tell me how it works then, princess. Enlighten me.” His mocking tone set me on edge.
Doing my best not to grind my teeth together in frustration, I simply said, “No. I won’t tell you.”
I expected him to push for more details. To demand information. Instead, he merely shrugged.
“That’s fine. It looks like we’ll have a lot of time together if we survive tonight. Eventually, you’ll talk. I promise I will make you talk.” His unspoken threat hung between us.
I shoved at his arms, trying to free myself from his tight grasp. “I think I would rather freeze. Let go of me.”
“You’re really going to subject yourself to the cold in order to spite me?” Noxx laughed, shaking his head. “You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?”
I opened my mouth to snap back at him when the sound of voices stopped me. Someone was coming. Noxx tugged me tighter against him, pressing a hand over my mouth. Annoyed by his actions, I elbowed him in the ribs.
Neither of us dared to speak as we listened hard. The sound of voices grew closer. Two people I guessed. I prayed loudly to any god that would listen to keep us hidden. If we were found, we were dead. As much as the threat of Noxx and his desire to break his curse hung over my head, it still paled in comparison to what would happen to us if we were found.
We were both frozen in place, listening as the fae passed. The trees rustled as they came dangerously close to finding the cave. My heart pounded hard, echoing in my ears. I was ready to grab for the sword if anyone entered the cave.
Expecting the forest itself to reveal our hiding place, I was greatly relieved when the sound of their voices began to fade. I didn’t dare speak for a long time after they left.
“That was close,” Noxx whispered. “Too close.”
I released the breath I’d been holding. A hand went to my chest as I willed my pounding heart to calm. “Gods, I can’t wait for this night to be over. Although returning to the prison doesn’t quite feel like a victory, does it?”
“No, it doesn’t. There’s got to be a way out of this godsforsaken land. I refuse to rot away in that prison.” Bitterness hung from every word Noxx spoke.
Curiosity got the best of me. I fidgeted with my braid, twisting the end of it around a finger. “What did Atlas want from you? When you were taken to see him.”
“You really want to know?” He waited for my nod. “He wanted me to ally with him against the elves. He asked me to join him in a takeover of your land.”
I gasped, a shock of adrenaline hitting me hard. “He thinks he can take over the Earth Realm? My people will never allow it. Do I want to know what your answer was?”
“What do you think it was? I’m here with you running for my life, aren’t I?”
He said no? Confusion shook me as I tried to make sense of it.
“You hate my people. Why wouldn’t you agree to help him come after us?” I didn’t know if I wanted this answer, but I asked anyway.
“Because I hate Atlas Rein and his spawn more. I would never align myself with a vile piece of shit like him. Happy, princess? Is that what you wanted to hear?” Noxx released an exasperated sigh.
I had no answer for him. Nothing about any of this made me happy. Yet there was some relief knowing the Dragon King had refused to help the Fae King harm my people.
As the hours continued to pass, I grew increasingly tired. I hadn’t slept well since arriving in the Shadow Realm. After listening to me stifle several yawns, Noxx finally said, “Why don’t you lie down and get some rest? I’ll stay awake and keep watch.”
He didn’t wait for me to reply before pulling me down to the floor of the cave with him. My mind was further spun when he curled up behind me, holding me close. A wave of heat swept through me. A tug somewhere deep within. Something I hadn’t felt in a very long time. Attraction. Want. Desire.
