A Curse So Dark and Lonely (Cursebreakers, #1)

by Brigid Kemmerer

My father, the great philanderer, who would bed any courtesan in eyesight, had the wherewithal to say no to Lilith.

I think of his anger in the arena. At least when Grey is Scary Grey, I know who his targets are. With Rhen, I have no idea what’s going on inside his head.

That their loyalty has not waned. They seem to believe the royal family is in exile.

He didn’t even wait for me to issue an order. Or maybe he knew I needed her to give one.

I give a short laugh, though I feel no humor. “To live in a world where war strategy is a game.”

“But for now, my lady, perhaps you could avoid pursuit.”

In the days since people started showing up at the castle, Grey has been more reserved—probably the way he’s supposed to be, out of deference to the Princess of Disi.

After Rhen’s aloofness and Grey’s austerity, it’s nice to have a companion who knows how to smile—and who isn’t telling me what to do. I can’t help smiling back. “I’m glad you did.”

Most of our guards are young or untested—as proven by the girl who so eagerly accompanied me out of the castle.

“Grand Marshal, I’ve missed your humor. My father would often speak of what a joy your support meant to him.”

“One of our guards is dead in the courtyard,” I say. “Forgive me if I do not find much reassurance in the strength of your army.”

I’ve never seen him so angry. It’s triggering my own anger. I meant what I said—I’ll take anger over endless silence.

“I will release you from our bargain,” he says softly. “I no longer have anything to offer.”

I don't like it when someone already promises you something then they back out because they are not willing to saysomething about it... It's like breaking up when you're sosure this was going to last forever.

“I don’t want you to release me,” I say. “I want to know what’s going on.”

“I have never wished so badly for a season to end.”

The bad men he led to our family. He abandoned us—but maybe he thought he was doing the best he could, too.

I beg of you. The words break my heart, because they’re not words he would ever say.

this season has gone so differently from the others that I no longer know whether those always appear on this day, or if Freya provided them.

I’ve seen men die by my father’s order—but until tonight, no one has died by mine. “I ordered a man’s death, Harper.”

I raise my eyebrows. “You must truly pity me if you offer to dance.”

“I don’t pity you, Rhen.” She pauses. “Do you pity me?” “Never. You are the strongest person I know.”

I’ve spent the last few days trying to protect her, not realizing that Harper could have protected me.

“No more secrets,” she says. I have one secret. The biggest one. The one I cannot share.

She trusts me. I trust her. This feels more monumental than love. More precious. More earned. I keep my hands to myself.

I reveal far more than I ever have, to any girl.

It is more than lust and attraction, though. Something deeper. Something more real.

An undercurrent of worry has built a camp in the castle, as my gathered subjects wait for the monster to rematerialize.

I can’t believe I once thought him lazy and arrogant.

Freya has become a kind of surrogate mother, but Zo is becoming the friend I’ve always wanted.

I was wondering where Freya was!

“I am not pleased that our time grows short.”

My thoughts won’t work in any direction.

“He is not trapped by the curse. He can leave at any time, but he will not. Not even when I gave him reason.”

“Commander Grey will not yield,” she says. “Not even when I described how his family would die.”

If you think I have not regretted that moment for every minute of every single one of these seasons, you are wrong indeed.”

“I’m probably being selfish. There are thousands of people here at risk. They’re two. And my mother is living on borrowed time. But there’s no one to help Jake. No one, Rhen.”

“As I said, we are not always presented with the choices we want, but choices exist nonetheless.”

“You mentioned some kind of issue with debtors, but that, at least, is something I can assist with,

I had not planned on how it would feel to let her go.

“I’m sorry,” Harper whispers. “I’m sorry I didn’t break the curse.”

I wish she had. Not because of the curse, or because of Karis Luran, or because of Emberfall. Because I have fallen in love with her.

This moment is worth an eternity of suffering. I gasp into her mouth.

I cannot meet her eyes, but I must. Hers are hot with betrayal. And fear.

“Midnight,” he says. “One day hence. I will wait here. Fifteen minutes. No longer.” He pauses. “I will not give him false hope.”

He’s crying. I’ve never seen Jake cry.

I half expect Commander Grey to return with Harper.

I wonder if he remembers that my father never let anyone touch it—not even me. The rule was so ingrained in me that it took many seasons before I dared to try it, even after he died.

“You should go back for her. Once all is said and done. I detected a spark between you …”

Selfless ass

“I speak too freely. This cursed drink has bewitched my thoughts.”

He doesn’t need the dagger. This conversation is piercing my heart quite well.

“You’re amusing when you’re drunk. I truly feel I have missed an opportunity.”