Page 43 of A Curse So Vile

Cole nodded, though the look on his face suggested he wanted to kill her.

She didn’t blame him, and she knew it would be better to leave them because her presence was causing undue stress, which was the last thing Fiona needed.

“I’ll be staying next door tonight, but be ready to start out early tomorrow. I aim to make good time.”

* * *

BRENNA

Brenna had long thought her curse was the worst thing she’d ever have to contend with.

That was only because she’d never felt true guilt before.

Fiona would never lead a normal life, and that was on her. She wanted to believe it was better than dying, but with death came peace.

Or at least that’s what she hoped.

If only she’d taken Icaries with her, then she wouldn’t feel so alone. They’d been bonded when she was six, which was unusual in that bonding typically occurred around the time of transition.

Icaries didn’t care that she was young. He was determined to be the other half of her ‘bonded pair.’ More than once, he had wandered away from his mother before he was even weaned to find Brenna. It must have happened half a dozen times before it was decided that fate was running its course.

She wondered how he would take to Cole, not that it would matter because Icaries was not long for this world.

When a Denithian died, their bonded pair typically demised soon after. It didn’t happen in all cases, but with their bond so strong, she was sure it would be the case.

Icaries deserved a better fate, not that her thoughts mattered. It was the way of things, and it was best she accepted it because hope only lent to heartache.

A knock sounded at the door.

Dammit! What’s wrong with Fiona now?

She flung it open; her worry turning to curiosity when she was met with Cole’s sullen face.

“I’m sorry…” he said, his voice breaking.

“For what?”

“For judging you. Fiona is alive by your actions. The price doesn’t matter. She’s alive.”

Relief washed over her. “Over time, the price won’t feel as high as it does now.”

He looked at her with a longing so deep she could feel it in her loins, but nothing good could come from her desire for this man. Her life was destined for pain and heartache, and to be ever so short.

But like a moth to a flame, she yearned for him.

“Is there anything I can do for m’lady?” His brow lifted ever so gently.

A part of her considered telling him to fuck a lusty barmaid, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“Aren’t you scared of me?”

“No. Why would I be?”

“You saw what happened in the other town.”

“I did. At the time, I was rather terrified, but thinking of it now makes my cock hard.”

Laughter escaped Brenna’s lips, catching her off guard as joy was so hard to come by. “Then come on in and I’ll see if I can take care of that.”