Page 61 of Cursed Crowns

Firelight danced along their skin, illuminating Tor’s face as it crumpled. Wren felt his longing, sensed the deep wound of his regret, and hated her part in it.

She reached for his hand. “Let me try to fix it. I can—”

“You can’t.” He looked down at his fingers, limp between hers. “Ididn’t even think about him, Wren. When Rathborne let that dagger fly, all I thought about was you.”

“I’m sorry.”

He pulled away from her. “A Gevran soldier relies on their instincts.”

It was Tor’s instincts that had killed Prince Ansel. They had made him leap in front of Wren without hesitation, mere moments after her showboating had put Ansel in danger.

“I know it should have been me. The dagger was meant for me.” Wren drifted to the fire, turning her face to the flames to hide the shame in her cheeks. “I know you wish you had saved him.”

“I don’t wish it.” The bed creaked as Tor slumped onto it. “Even now, I don’t wish it.”

Surprise stilled Wren’s tongue.

“I think perhaps that makes it worse,” Tor went on. “I carry Prince Ansel’s death with me every moment of every day. But I can’t bring myself to...” He trailed off, shook his head. “The alternative... I can’t bring myself to think about it.... It was to be my undoing either way.”

Wren’s heart clenched. She crossed the room and sat down beside him, relieved when he didn’t move away. She touched her head against his shoulder. “I don’t want to argue with you, Tor.”

He turned to look at her, the storm in his eyes so violent, Wren felt like she might fall into it. “Then tell me you won’t do it.”

“Don’t make me lie to you.”

Tor closed his eyes. “It will beyourundoing, Wren.”

“Then we’ll both be undone,” she murmured. “It’s my choice, Tor. I have to try.”

Tor’s throat bobbed as he swallowed his anger. He nodded, then stood up. He walked back to the door and picked up a bag, dropping itwith athunk!on the dresser. “This is from the king,” he said stiffly. “I’d wish you luck, but I don’t want to lie to you either.”

In the next moment he was gone, the key turning in the lock and sealing Wren in once more. She stood by the fire, listening to his fading footfall. The room was colder without him, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on his disapproval. She had to rely on her own instincts. And whether he meant to or not, Tor had given her another reason to go through with her plan. If she could bring back the prince, not only would she save her grandmother from death, but she would save Tor from the regret that festered inside him, devouring his goodness day by day. And if the price of such freedom was a sliver of her own soul, then that was another bargain Wren was prepared to make.

She drifted to the dresser, where her bejeweled hand mirror glittered faintly in the firelight. Wren opened the bag Alarik had delivered, expecting to find a gift of some kind, but a rancid smell seeped out, making her gag. She pinched her nose as she peered into the satchel, spying a pale pink tail curled up on itself.

Ugh.A dead mouse.

What in rotting hell was Alarik playing at?

Wren grimaced as she turned the bag upside down and shook out the rest. There were six dead mice in total. And a handwritten note.

Practice makes perfect.

Alarik

22

Rose

As soon as Shen passed the map to Rose, the shapes began to disappear. In a panic, she’d thrust it back to him, only for them to return.

“Should we try to copy it on something more permanent?” she suggested. But that wasn’t possible either, because to Rose’s amazement, the ruby beetle that Shen was sure represented the Sunkissed Kingdom kept moving. It may have been lost, but it certainly wasn’t staying put.

“It must be because you’re from the desert,” said Rose, trying to make sense of it. “That’s why the map responds to you.”

But that was wasn’t right either, because when Kai snatched the map from his cousin, it went blank again. Rose caught the flash of rage that crossed his face as he stared at the yellowing parchment, willing it to work for him. “Temperamental thing, eh?” he said through his teeth. “It’s lucky I found you on the road, little cousin.” He forced a laugh, but Rose didn’t miss the stiffness in his shoulders nor the coldness in his eyes.

She tried not to linger over Meredia’s warning.Kai Lo of the Sunkissed Kingdom, you hold great power in your fist. But inside you lies a darkness you must fight to resist.