Page 80 of Crown of the Courtesan

Peering up at the curtains drawn behind Ashland’s window, I shake my head and trot past the distracted gate sentinel flirting with one of Adele’s many female attendants. I keep going despite the gnawing and yearning to retrieve my circlet. To not leave it. To go back.

I swallow, fearing my recklessness, but caution has done nothing for me this far.

The whispers lash at me as I stubbornly follow the path to the village before cutting into the misted forest. My heels dig into the gelding’s side, urging the old horse into a canter and then a gallop.

Faster.

And faster.

Wind whistles through the trees.

A sudden blanket of darkness covers the forest before rippling back to normal. I look at the sky, studying it, confused by what I’ve just witnessed.

The horse rears on its hind legs.

I lose my grip, toppling from the saddle onto the hard ground in a heap of skirts, the air knocked from my lungs. The gelding whinnies, rearing again before nearly stomping me. I roll out of the way just in time as the horse tears through the thicket at full speed.

With a grunt, I struggle to my feet and keep moving forward. A gnarled root trips me, making me slam my knees into the loamy soil. I push up on my scraped hands and run, sprinting as my lungs burn with each strain and pump of my muscles.

Trees flash by as I lose myself deeper in the pines, their strong scent oppressive and intoxicating at the same time. The pull of the circlet’s power calls from the castle, beckoning me to return to it like an invisible rope, creating resistance to my every hurried step. Darkness encroaches, but it isn’t fully night yet.

The sun hasn’t even set.

Why is it so dark…?

Through the branches, yellow eyes gleam in my periphery. My stomach plummets, and I wish I had stolen Neriene from the armory for protection. I could try to use magic, but what if that worsens his rage? Would I even be able to control it without the Alexra?

Canine yips fill the air.

My pulse beats against my ribcage, my mouth turning dry.

His voice rumbles like thunder at the back of my neck, desperately close: “Did you really think I wouldn’t sense the moment you fled? That I wouldn’t smell your fear building in these woods? That, with each step you took, farther and farther away from me—that my powers wouldn’t bring me directly to you? Did you think I wouldn’t find you? I’ll always find you, Tabitha.”

Wildly craning my neck and searching for him, I slide downward on a muddy embankment, the dead leaves cascading with me, overwhelming my nostrils with the scent of decaying matter.

He’s nowhere to be seen.

Caked mud weighs my boots down as my wool stockings come loose and roll downward, making my gait uneven and slow.

Laughter soon stalks me, and I swear his breath blows on the back of my neck as I leap over a babbling creek, gasping for air, staggering into an open valley surrounded by dark evergreens and fog.

A thick, hard body tackles me.

We fall onto the weeds and wildflowers of the soft, damp ground, somersaulting down a hill together, arms and legs entwined until we come to a sudden halt. He struggles over me as he straddles my waist with his muscular thighs, pinning my wrists in place with his hands. “Tabitha, stop! Damn it!”

“Let me go home!” I scream as my hips buck wildly. “Please!”

“No. You don’t belong to Alexandria anymore.”

“I’ve always belonged to Alexandria. I’ve always served her faithfully, even when I resented and hated her. You of all people should understand how I feel. You can’t take that away from me!”

“No, I can’t—but you should take your own advice and separate yourself from Alexandria. Your place is with me now. You’re my courtesan. Everyone believes we share a bed. I won’t let you ruin this because you miss your kingdom.”

I stop fighting and whisper, “She doesn’t.”

“Who doesn’t what?”

“She doesn’t believe that we… that we’re… fucking,” I hiss. “Otherwise, she wouldn’t have thrown herself at you. You’ll try to blame me, but you’re not convincing anyone that you desire me.” My chest rises and falls. “I can’t even blame her—not when you barely tolerate me.”