Page 55 of A Curse So Vile

Except…she wasn’t. She was nothing like them. Entitled? Sure. Determined? To a fault. But she would never hide him away or pretend her wants weren’t what they were. She’d wear her lust proudly, seeking what comforts she could until she had no more use for him.

And while he wanted more from her, he did love being her toy.

Without a knock, the door swung open and Fiona rushed in, seeking the comfort of his arms. Brenna followed, a solemn look on her face.

“What’s going on?” he blurted. “Who are they?”

“They’re Ossorians, and what I’m about to say is of grave importance. If you do not do as I command, you will be killed.”

“Speak, then.”

“You need to go south, to the Den. Quickly. I’ve bought you an hour's head start. I think once you’re out of sight, you’ll be out of mind, so that should be enough.”

“And you?”

“I’ll be leaving with them.”

“Like bloody—”

“As I said, you must do as I command or risk death.”

“Let them try.”

“Not just yours.” Brenna’s eyes darted to Dorthea, then to Fiona.

He couldn’t risk his sister, and Dorthea was in no condition to fight, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t make it to the Den on their own.

“Let them leave. I will remain by your side.”

Brenna’s face softened. She looked so much like a girl in that moment, and he wanted ever so badly to protect her. To be the hero she deserved.

But something told him their tale would not be one for the storybooks.

“Cole, you have to go. There is no other way.”

“If it weren’t for you, my sister would be dead. For that, I owe you this.”

“Whatever sacrifice you hope to make for me would be for nothing. There is no happy ending for me, with or without the Ossorians. I’m doomed either way.”

He thought back to the days they’d spent together. “You’re cursed?”

“Yes, and at one time I’d believed it would kill me, but now, if I go back to the Den, my people would execute me for turning your sister.”

Her words were like a sharp slap to the face. “Execute you…”

“Yes, but do not feel guilty. My curse would have seen me to madness in mere days, anyway. This development is just one of the many ways the world decided to fuck me.”

“No…that can’t be right…”

“Cole,” Dorthea placed her hand on his shoulder, “I know this is hard, but I think it’s best we listen to her. Fiona is going to need help, or she’s going to get stoned by angry townsfolk. You saw how that village reacted to her. Fiona can hardly fend for herself as it is.”

She was right. If they didn’t get Fiona to the Den soon, he didn’t know what would happen. How much she’d change or if she’d be able to control it.

He had to go without Brenna, which hurt more than he’d ever thought possible, because while he hardly knew the woman, he felt like they were so much more than lovers.

“Fine,” he grumbled. “Just tell us where to go.”

“The way is simple,” Brenna said with a forlorn smile. “It’s the journey that will be difficult.”