Page 33 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens (The Crimson Duet #1)

Poisonous Thorns

S now crushed under our steps as we made our way into the woods just behind the castle. The moon hid from our view, leaving us in the night forest alone. The cold riddled my lungs when the soft singing of an owl echoed from afar.

What a great mistake I’d made agreeing to this.

“Have you shot a dagger before?” Francis stopped before a huge oak, unsheathing four daggers. He skillfully spun one of them in his hand.

“No.” I watched the snow fall onto my palms.

“It’s fairly easy to learn.” Francis handed me the blade.

Beautiful patterns decorated the hilt. “Although, it does require a lot of practice.” He carefully adjusted my fingers on the handle of the dagger; a shadow of a smile made it onto his face.

“Put your right leg in front, keep your shoulders straight,” Francis demonstrated.

When I failed to recreate the stance his hands reached in my direction, stopping mere inches from me. “May I?”

I nodded; his hands softly fell onto my shoulders. The flowers bloomed deep in my stomach at his touch.

“The most important thing is to keep your mind clear.” His hands gently adjusted my stance. “The blade should be facing you.” He moved my hand in the correct position. “Now, throw it.”

“That’s it?” I frowned; my eyes met his piercing gaze.

Francis nodded slightly before adding, “Try not to miss the tree,” he winked.

I scoffed, eyeing my enormous target.

The blade escaped my grip before I was ready to let go of it. Slicing the air, it spun; the hilt hit the oak with a loud thud before crashing onto the snow.

“Don’t let it spin as much,” Francis handed me another dagger. “Soften your hold, right here.” His cold fingers gentled my wrist.

My skin burned under his touch. My mind drowned in lunacy. I wished to leave before it ended me, yet my legs refused to obey.

Enough! I ordered myself. My eyes closed, seeking salvation from this folly.

Francis’ breath caressed my ear as his fingers wrapped around my wrist, adjusting my hold. “Take a deep breath,” he whispered, letting go of my hand. “Now throw it.”

I wished the ground could break into two, taking me straight to hell for my foolishness.

My eyes opened when Francis granted me some space I had silently begged for.

The dagger flew through the air, spinning towards the oak. The tip of the blade brushed the tree bark before collapsing onto the snow once again.

“Better.” Francis slipped another dagger into my palm; his hand gently wrapped around mine. Francis raised our embraced hands, taking the throwing position. “It’s all about the timing,” his breathing tickled my ear.

I swallowed down the flowers that spiraled in my throat when I faced him. The thorns cut through my flesh, poisoning my mind. The cold had no power over the burning heat that enveloped me whole.

My back met his chest. My legs barely kept me upright as I tried to stop myself from leaning into his embrace.

What in the Kingdom was wrong with me?

Francis’ hand guided our throw; my fingers barely remembered to let go of the dagger.

The dagger glided through the air, its tip smoothly cut through the tree. “See,” Francis whispered into my ear.

My mind drunk on the poison urged my lips to part; his low voice willed my back to arch into him, depriving me of any lucidity.

Stop it, Cordelia! The thorns pierced my flesh. Francis ceased breathing when I put my face directly next to his. What a dangerous waltz I’d welcomed, though no drop of clarity could stop me. Moon save me. I choked on my own breathing as my body moved closer. My aflame hand fell onto his coat.

Frozen in place, we stood there. The snow danced around us, our lips brushed—

A whistle broke through the space, tearing my gaze off Francis. A loud thud tore me off his coat. A dagger landed straight into the tree in front of me.

My head flew in the direction the knife had come from.

“Did I interrupt?” Caleb smirked.

“Not at all,” I smiled. “Thank you for the lesson,” I offered to Francis before walking back toward the castle: away from whatever delusion I was about to engage in.

Words on the page finally blended into one when I gave up on an attempt to keep my mind busy. I shut the book, chiding myself for my weak ability to focus.

The sun was about to make its appearance when I closed the curtains.

I begged for sleep to take me away as darkness enveloped my room. Yet my mind spiraled, refusing me rest.

A groan escaped me when my insides tightened in an oddly comfortable ache, begging for salvation, longing for a touch.

I took a long breath in an attempt to stop this nonsense, yet my body refused. The feeling became unbearable.

Every time my lungs emptied the flowers begged for freedom, making their way down my stomach. Then lower, and lower.

Damnation!

I put the sheets aside, hoping for the cool air to calm my aching body. Yet even the small wind brushing against my skin sent my body aflame.

The soft blankets suddenly felt too soft, my skin longed for the sensation.

I cannot, I tried to convince myself, yet my eyes closed as the shadows of his lips atop mine invaded my peace. I cannot allow such vulnerability, I argued as the memory of his hands on my shoulders sucked the air out of my lungs.

The heat burned all fear out of my mind, daring me to act upon my wicked wish.

Before my treasonous mind could stop me, I put a cloak atop my nightgown, fleeing out of the room.

Before my treasonous mind could interrupt, my legs carried me to him.