by A. K. Koonce
He continues but the words become something distant. Images begin to entertain my mind. I see us. I see Cason, older, running his hands through my hair as I cry out in pleasure from the movements of his hard body.
Another image flickers through my mind. We’re outside playing with our children, running, jumping, not a care in the world.
Then Cason and I, our hair grey and our faces wrinkled in joy as we laugh. Scenes flash through my mind, a future with Cason. Happy.
My breath quickens and as I try to break away from the moment I was getting lost in. What am I doing? My nerves overtake me and I shift my weight back just enough to slow our dance and bring him back to reality with me. His eyes gleam with a golden hue circling the brown.
My breath catches on my lips as I study him.
Their cursed powers seem endless. The visions he gave me linger in my mind. What else can they do? The memory of Cormac carelessly changing the weather skims through my mind.
“I didn't know that song had words to it.”
His teeth rake over his bottom lip leaving me with thoughts of how they might feel against mine.
“Most of these songs do, people have just forgotten them.”
“Cason?” My voice quivers as I speak. A question that has been tumbling amongst my thoughts forms behind my lips.
“Wren?” Again, his response is barely a whisper to be heard above the music.
“What do you think will happen after tonight?”
After the curse. After my marriage. After the four of us are no longer an us at all.
Our swaying stops and his eyebrows pull together in thought. I look over his face awed by his features. The same features he shares with his brothers. My gaze shifts to the ground as I flush from my thoughts. My infatuation with these brothers—these men, my guards—is unnatural.
“I guess things will be different. Everything will be different.”
After the curse they’ll have to leave. They’ll never be able to stay. A hundred years has passed and they just don’t fit here anymore.
They aren’t mine to keep.
My stomach twists around itself imagining anyone of the three of them with someone else. But I suppose that isn’t fair. As strange as it is, I can’t keep them all for myself and they’re cursed. Who’s to say that once the curse is broken they won't… die? Or leave me behind when they no longer need me?
I swallow hard, chest tightening with the thought. They must have thought about this as well at some point. Cason watches me closely as if he can see my thoughts so clearly. His hand settles against my lower back, warming me, settling my nerves with his mere presence. Carefully he pulls me back into his arms and presses a kiss to my temple. My eyes close as I bury my head into his strong chest.
That’s the thing. They’re all stronger than I am. They’re ready to accept whatever the future holds. I’m not.
Nash’s brooding face appears as he rounds the corner and I shift a step away from Cason. Our arms untangle from one another instantly. Cohen and Cormac trail behind him, lingering a few yards away. They appear to be having a good time, talking quietly with one another while they watch us from across the room.
The thin man’s fists clench at his sides as his gaze skips from me to Cason.
“It isn’t very lady like to be so… comfortable with the help.” His emerald eyes blaze like a raging fire. “Some might even call you a whore, Princess.”
Cason’s arm bumps into mine as he takes a step closer toward the son of the Duke of Wiles. Lord Turningten’s title alone could ruin Cason’s life. I settle my palm against Cason’s chest, my hand appearing small against him. He stops in his tracks, his heart beating wildly beneath my touch.
My lip purse and I’m just no longer able to choke on my words any more tonight.
“I’m actually having a nice time. Cason’s sweet. He’s nice to me.” Unlike my date. “We’re not doing anything wrong, Nash.”
The memory of me kissing Cormac in the library, of Cohen kissing me in my bed, of all the images of my future with Cason flutter guiltily through my mind. I stomp the guilt down as I stare at the fuming man whose face is turning an unflattering shade of red.
I hold my head high as I meet his glaring eyes. I refuse to be pushed into one more choice that isn’t my own. Tonight was supposed to be a single night of fun.
Nash grips my wrist, pulling it away from Cason. His knuckles turn white as he tightens his hold on my small wrist. Pain shoots through my arm as my lips part with a sharp gasp.
“Don’t ever take me for a fool, my love.”
“Let me go,” I tell him slowly.
His grip only tightens. I shove him back, disheveling his button down shirt. His thin frame staggers but he fists my wrist even tighter as rage slashes across his face.
Cohen storms up behind him, Cormac racing after him, their boots thundering through the room. Cohen pulls Lord Turningten’s shoulder hard, breaking his grip on me. I stumble to the ground and my beautiful dress tears at the knee.
Cohen slams his fist into Lord Turningten’s face without hesitation.
My lips part but nothing comes out as I stare wide eyed at Cohen.
Cason gently slips his hand beneath my elbow and lifts me from the tile floor.
Lord Turningten holds his nose, blood slipping from his fingers as he glares at Cohen.
“You’re done. I hope fucking my betrothed was worth it, because you’ll never touch her again.” Lord Turningten’s sends us a bloody sneer as he backs from the room.
I cannot believe that just happened.
My heart pounds hard as I think through what I just caused.
Cason slips his fingers through mine and Cohen tilts my chin up. His warm eyes seep into mine as a commotion begins to sound in the next room.
My father will take them away. Anger and frustration pools in my chest at how weak I feel right now.
“It’ll be okay, Princess,” Cohen says as he presses a slow kiss to my temple, my heart sinking despite his words. “We’d never let anything happen to you.”
My stomach twists as determined boots sound through the castle, preparing to drag these men from me. I square my shoulders, pushing aside the dread-filled thoughts circling my mind.
They may be cursed, but I’ll die fighting for them.
Just as they would for me.
The End
The curse continues. Look for book two, The Curse of the Sea, releasing in December of 2017!
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About Nikki Hunter
Nikki Hunter is a mom and wife, but also a Friends nerd who spends her time binge watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers while making her husband crazy when she’s not writing fantasy.
Coming Soon by Nikki Hunter
Day of Ruin
About A.K. Koonce
A.K. Koonce is a mom by day and a fantasy and paranormal romance author by night. She keeps her fantastical stories in her mind on an endless loop while she tries her best to focus on her actual life and not that of the spectacular but demanding fictional characters who always fill her thoughts.
Also by A.K. Koonce
The Mortals and Mystics Series
Fate of the Hybrid, Prequel
When Fate Aligns, Book one
When Fate Unravels, Book two
When Fate Prevails, Book Three
The Resurrection Series
Resurrection Island, Book one
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