Cursed

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Cursed Page 9

by Emma Merrell


  More than you know, Luce thought. "I bet she is still confident in being your number one."

  "Oh, please don't say it like that, it makes it sound like the girls are nothing but things to me, or like there is a competition."

  "Well, they're kind of is, obviously. Every girl there wants to have a second date with you, the chance to bear your child and become the next queen."

  "And you?"

  "The only thing that I want right now, in this world or any other, is to be reunited with my brother."

  Jude moved from his chair and sat next to Luce on the bed. He took her hand and those gorgeous eyes stared deep into hers. "Again, I can only apologize for what has been done. In a way it may be my fault for not picking a girl as my mother wishes, maybe if I had she would have stopped bringing me girls a long time ago and you would not be here. But there are reasons why I won't, and they are good."

  "You've said that before," Luce said softly, leaving the question mark at the end of it unspoken.

  The line of his full mouth tightened, and Luce hoped that she hadn't gone too far. "There was once a girl that I chose. She became pregnant and we were all so hopeful that the curse would be broken, but she and my child died during labor. I believe that the curse is responsible, that I will never be able to father a child that makes it into the world. I cannot risk another girl's life that way."

  "Or go through that kind of pain again? You loved her?"

  Jonathan looked away from her, but his head gave an affirmative nod. She studied him in profile, taking in the silky braid that hung below his waist and the ideal planes of his face. He looked closed off, sad, and maybe a bit angry at himself for what he had just told her. His luminous green eyes were unusually shiny, and Luce knew that he was holding back tears. "I understand. I lost both of my parents and I will never stop feeling the pain of it. I couldn't bear to lose anyone else either and that is why Jude is so important to me."

  His throat worked as he swallowed back the emotions that this conversation had brought to the surface. "I assure you that when he is released from his confinement that I will make sure that the two of you have contact."

  Luce squeezed his hand tightly. "That means everything."

  The prince's hand returned the pressure of hers and he gave a watery smile. Suddenly, she didn't just see them as his royal highness and a girl, but as Jonathan and Luce. They were simply two people sitting in a darkened room, sharing pain and comfort over the loved ones that they had lost. Luce sat up and folded her legs beneath her. She leaned towards him ever so slowly, giving him the chance to turn her down if he wanted to. There was fear and confusion in his face, but he didn't turn away and instead he closed the gap.

  There. This was contact, this was what Luce had been missing the entire time that she had been in this place. The feel of strong arms encircling her and warm lips pressing against hers was like a salve that soothed so much of the loneliness that she hadn't even realized was there. They fed at one another's mouths desperately and Luce knew that Jonathan had been lonely and aching for a connection as well.

  Her hands moved over the smooth surface of his jaw and twined together behind his neck, holding him closer. Jonathan responded by pulling Luce into his lap and pressing their bodies together with his hands at the small of her back. All this passion had come out of nowhere, but it had become its own living thing, binding them together as nothing else could have. There was an urgency between them that shouldn't have existed yet. Luce was flushed with desire and the thought of where this may lead. She was beginning to throb with a familiar ache, and she could feel that he too was growing aroused.

  Luce took control again and pulled them back onto the bed. There was no telling how far it may have gone if Luce hadn't become dimly aware of a commotion rising in the courtyard. Jonathan heard it too and pulled himself away. Their eyes met briefly as the voices became clear and the words that were being exchanged could be heard. Luce knew the voice speaking them and a chill traveled the length of her spine. It was the queen, and she sounded royally pissed off.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jude

  While Luce had been sleeping the previous night and preparing for her date with the prince that morning, Jude had been escaping. Petunia had come at the beginning of the night, under the cover of darkness that the new moon provided. She lowered a rope and told him to tie up all the things that she brought him so far and send them back up. It would cause suspicion if they found all those goodies in the Pit and they would know that he had been helped. Next, the rope came for Jude himself. He was considerably weakened by his time underground, but thanks to the food and water that Petunia had given him he thought that he could climb it. It helped that Petunia had tied knots in the rope at foot length intervals, it gave his hands and feet much-needed purchase.

  It took every ounce of energy he had to pull himself out of the Pit, even with Petunia’s strong hands helping to pull him out at the end, but he did it. Jude collapsed onto his back, breathing hard, and took the water that she offered.

  "I wasn't sure if you were going to make it."

  "Me either," he panted.

  "You can't sit there all night you know. You have to get moving. My uncle is meeting you in the foothills himself, and it wouldn't be a great idea to keep him waiting. Not to mention the fact that neither one of us wants to be caught out here."

  Jude gave himself ten more seconds before dragging himself into a sitting position and then slowly finding his feet. "I'm up, I'm up."

  "Good," she replied matter of factly, organizing the bags at her feet. "I've tried to think of everything that you could possibly need. There's lots of water, dried meats and fruits, a compass, and of course all the other things that I had bought you. Once you get to my uncle's village, they will provide clothing and the like for you. Do you feel ready to go?"

  "As ready as I'll ever be."

  They stood still for just a moment regarding one another and Jude looked fondly at Petunia. He still thought that she was pleasing to look at, with those pretty almond-shaped eyes and carved cheekbones, but now he also thought of her as his friend. Even if her manner was often brisk and to the point, she had still done more for him than he could have ever expected. Jude was going to miss her. "Thanks, Petunia. For everything."

  "Don't thank me until after you've met my uncle," she teased with a smile. "Let me help you get your pack on."

  "So where am I headed?" Jude asked as she was getting his situated.

  Petunia finished up and came around to his side, pointing at the foothills in the distance. "See that smaller peak to the left? At the right-hand side of the base, there is a small trail. If you follow it about two-hundred feet into the range my uncle will be waiting for you. He said that he would have a small fire lit to help you find your way. Of course, if you do manage to get lost, you can simply call out to me and I will coordinate with my uncle to help you get back on track."

  "How long will it take me?"

  "Our hope is that you will get to him before sunrise and before the queen realizes that you're gone. One of the few types of magic that my uncle and his people allow is a barrier that Leona puts around the village to prevent Anne from using any type of sorcery. You need to be within that barrier before she begins trying to find you."

  "I'll do my best. Goodbye, Petunia."

  She surprised him by enfolding him in a hug. "Goodbye, Jude. Hopefully, it won't be long until we see each other again and let that be in victory."

  "Tell Luce that I love her."

  "Of course."

  Jude took one last look at Petunia, his only friend in the world, and then began his walk into the trees. It felt good immediately, even as weak as he was. Jude was doing something, actively making his own decisions for the first time in weeks. The freedom was intoxicating, and it buoyed him with energy that shouldn't have existed. He was filled with hope that this was the opportunity he needed to make things better.

  It was cold in the forest at night and
Jude found himself feeling grateful for the extra clothes Petunia had brought him. The landscape looked alien in the dark with only the stars to illuminate it. The mountains looked as if they could be reached in a couple of hours, but Jude knew better than that. He would walk for those two hours, look up, and the mountains would seem to be the same distance away as they had been when he started.

  He put his head down and tried to focus only on the ground in front of him as he traveled. He knew that his euphoria wouldn't last long, and then it would be a long, hard slog. The farthest that Jude had ever walked by foot was five hours and that had been tiring. This was a ten-hour-long walk through thick foliage followed by a Gods knew how long trek through the mountains to the village.

  His thoughts turned to the first time that he had been through this forest, when he and Luce had first arrived here. They had been so disoriented and weak, Luce much more so than Jude. He was certain that she would have died if the riders hadn't gotten them to the palace when they did. He was glad that this time she was as safe back in the palace as it was possible to be. He hoped that she could wait it out and stay strong until whatever the resistance was planning happened. That was, of course, if the resistance was successful. If they failed Jude knew that he was probably dead and whatever hope, he had for Luce was lost.

  The hours passed by more quickly than he thought they would. There was something hypnotizing in the rhythm of putting one foot in front of the other for such a long stretch. He stopped briefly, at what he felt was the halfway point, and had a quick meal.

  As he drew closer to the foothills Jude began angling his journey toward the point that Petunia had shown him. He had been getting tired but seeing his destination so near gave him a second wind. When he drew up close, he thought that he could see the path that he was supposed to take. He headed onto it and was rewarded, as promised, with the flickering glow of a small fire. Next to the fire was the largest man that Jude had ever seen, he looked roughly the size of a bear. His was remarkably hairy, with a thick beard tied into a ponytail of sorts, a mustache and a grizzled black mane of hair tied back loosely. His nose was crooked, and Jude knew that at some point in his life it had been badly broken.

  The man rose to his full, impressive, height and offered Jude his hand. "I am Bran." His voice was as gruff as the rest of him.

  "Jude Taylor."

  Bran's dark eyes traveled over Jude and he knew that he was being measured. "Have a seat. We will eat before continuing on."

  Jude sat down across the fire and noted there was a small metal pot set in the side of the flames. Bran covered his hand with a sleeve and pulled it out by the handle. He produced a couple of bowls and used them to scoop some of whatever he was cooking. Jude took it gratefully. He hadn't had a hot meal for days and it smelled delicious. He lifted the bowl to his lips and burned his mouth on the hot contents, but he didn't care. It was rich and meaty, and he felt the strength flow back into his body. "Thank you."

  "It is a sheep stew. My daughter makes it."

  "Your daughter is talented."

  "My niece tells me that you were brought here on accident. Are you a warrior in your village?"

  "No, but I am a fighter, and I'll do whatever you ask of me. I want to see the queen on her knees for what she's done."

  Bran nodded approvingly. "This is good, Petunia was right. I think that you have as much reason as we to hate that woman."

  "And why are you fighting her? Forming this resistance?" Jude knew, but he wanted to hear it from this man firsthand.

  "She is a tyrant who cares nothing for her people. They are heathens, living in sin and using the black magic and she encourages it. She steals away our daughters in the dark of the night to try and breed with her son. They drown in wealth while we struggle." Bran spat on the ground to show exactly how he felt about it.

  "But I thought that it was Leona who cursed the kingdom."

  "Aye, she did, and she regrets it bitterly. If the queen would but give her life the curse would be broken, and she has known this all along. Instead, she takes the selfish way, stealing girls and trying to force her son to father a child with them. There is no guarantee that it would even work. No, she knows the way to end the curse, but she is too selfish to do it."

  Jude's mind was reeling. That had been a huge bombshell and one that he was shocked the resistance had kept to themselves. "Why doesn't Leona just lift the curse?"

  "Once the magic has been set free into the world there is no way of recalling it. It becomes a force unto itself. The only way of fixing things is to kill the queen since she is too cowardly to do it herself."

  "Why hasn't this been told to people within the kingdom?"

  Bran shrugged. "Her hold on the people is too tight, they fear her above all other things. Few would even risk discussing such a thing and even if they did believe it, no one would dare to spread the story. Anne's spies are everywhere in the kingdom, it is impossible to know whether ones very brother is among them. It is why we must act, and soon before the youngest generation grows any older. The queen must be brought down."

  They were silent as Jude tried to swallow what he had just been told. He had lost his appetite but finished off the stew anyway. He had a feeling that he was going to need the fuel over the next few hours. It would take him two steps to cover Bran's one and keeping up was going to be a battle. When they were done Bran allowed Jude ten more minutes before getting them started on the hike to the village.

  "Let's see what you are made of, Jude Taylor."

  Chapter Twelve

  Luce

  Jonathan's eyes were as wide as hers, and Luce knew right then that it wasn't a good thing for the queen to come to them herself. He drew back quickly. "I'll go see what is happening. Stay. Rest."

  Yeah, like that was going to happen. As soon as he passed out of the bedroom, with his guards close at heel, Luce crept to the curtained doorway. At least she wouldn't have to strain to hear, they were speaking quite loud enough.

  "Is that girl in the bedroom?" asked the queen.

  "She is, but I would not have her disturbed. She suffered an injury."

  "She will suffer much more than that by the time I get through with her," she hissed.

  "Why? Mother, what has happened?"

  "Her brother, the one who was supposed to be down in the Pit for what he did to Norrick, has escaped."

  Luce's mouth fell open in shock and emotions immediately began warring within her. First and foremost was worry because she knew if they ever caught him then he would be dead. And then a part of her was hopeful that he had a plan, that maybe this was the start of an escape for both.

  "It's not possible to escape the Pit."

  "Not alone. He had help and the only way it makes sense is to conclude that someone within this palace helped him. I have a traitor in my midst, Jonathan."

  "Well, it certainly wasn't Luce-,"

  She cut him off, "Yes, Son, I'm aware of that. I believe that it has something to do with that ridiculous resistance. Barbaric hill-tribes. They think they can plant spies within my walls?"

  The queen sounded furious and Luce had been inching backward from the sheer force of her words. This was not a woman who took things lightly and it seemed as if Luce were in her sights. Not even in Norrick's chambers had she felt this frightened about what might happen to her. Luckily, she had an unexpected champion.

  "And why do you want to punish Luce for this? She is innocent."

  "Because somebody always has to pay. I need an example. I need to send a message that spying and sneaking around in my kingdom will not be tolerated."

  "And after you've done whatever it is that you're planning to do, will you tell people that you did it because there is someone daring enough to sneak behind you? That sounds like showing weakness. Will you be able to assure the rest of the girls that the same fate won't befall them? I doubt they will feel very romantic if they are fearing for their lives."

  Luce was surprised at the way that he had jus
t spoken to her, it was as if he didn't fear her at all. It made sense, he was going to be king one day, he probably didn't cow to anyone.

  "You are fighting awfully hard to protect this girl, Jonathan. Could it be that she is actually one you care about?"

  "I enjoy her company. She speaks almost freely in my presence and I find it refreshing."

  "And what of Marianne? She has always been your favorite."

  "I find her tiresome and needy lately."

  "This new girl makes her insecure," the queen replied insightfully. "You frustrate me at every turn, Jonathan. First, you will not bed any of the girls I bring you, not even to save the kingdom. And now I come to find you warming to the one girl that I have ever wanted to kill. Why can you not be more like your brother?"

  "I am sorry, Mother, that our birth orders were not reversed."

  "Do not be bitter, my son. Let me think for a moment."

  Luce's entire body was tense as she waited to hear what the queen would say next. Her heart sped up when the queen began speaking again. "I've made a decision, my son. And I must say, it's a good one. If you care about this girl and want her to remain among the living, then you will sleep with her. And you will continue to do so until there is a child growing in her belly."

  "But, Mother, you know how I feel about that. What if it kills her?" Jonathan asked.

  "I will kill her if you don't. One is a sure thing Jonathan, the other is simply called childbirth and woman die during it occasionally. She may not, and won't her wildest dreams have come true? Future queen and mother to a monarch. She should be so lucky."

  "And what if she doesn't want to sleep with me? I won't force her."

  "If the lip stain all over your mouth is any indication of how things are going between the two of you, then I doubt it will be an issue. See it through. I will question your guards to make sure you have done what I asked."

  "You'll stop at nothing, will you?"

  "Never. Someone must make the tough decisions, the ones that will save our kingdom. I will take my leave of you now as I have a traitor to track down. I want to see blood spilled by the next full moon."

 

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