A Dream So Wicked: A Sleeping Beauty Retelling (Entangled with Fae) by Tessonja Odette

Author:Tessonja Odette [Odette, Tessonja]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crystal Moon Press
Published: 2023-06-30T04:00:00+00:00

26

BRIONY

Six hundred emerald rounds later, I’m a whole wardrobe richer. Evidence of my spoils packs the interior of the coach, for Thorne’s and my travel bags are already taking up the luggage rack. I never knew it could be so satisfying to spend someone else’s money—or any money, for that matter—on myself, but it is. Though I suppose my satisfaction comes less from spending money and more from tormenting Thorne. I took great joy at how wide his eyes grew when he saw the final tally of bags and boxes filling Mr. Boris’ and Minka’s arms. He muttered about how dreadfully I was using him under the terms of our bargain, which was less satisfying, for it seemed more talk than true annoyance. Yet I had to take pleasure in some sense of revenge after he made my heart race earlier.

It’s impossible to forget our exchange with him sitting so close to me in the coach. With the opposite bench so cluttered with my purchases, Mr. Boris and Minka insisted I claim the more comfortable seat beside Thorne. I tried to bully Thorne into sitting with Mr. Boris and my bags, but he would have none of that. So instead, I stare pointedly out the window and try not to recall the warmth of his breath on my face.

Thankfully, the scenery is stunning enough to distract me. After leaving the department store, we began our journey toward Blackwood Estate, which lies just outside the city of Jasper in the countryside. Here the towering emerald mountains loom even larger, while the landscape that flanks the road alternates between forests, farming fields, and wildflower meadows. The Earthen Court truly is a lush and gorgeous place.

We turn off the main road and make our way through a lightly wooded area. Just beyond it, I glimpse a field brimming with long grass and purple flowers. Just looking at the verdant carpet makes me want to kick off my shoes and run through it. Longing pulses in my chest as I’m reminded of my grove outside the convent, my private sanctuary I used to dance in. I always considered my grove as a consolation, second-best to the theaters and society balls I couldn’t attend. While I still yearn for the latter experiences, I find myself regretting that I didn’t appreciate that beautiful grove more. There was beauty in my solitary waltzes. Or even the ones with Thorne, when I thought he was a dream.

Now all that awaits in my future are dances with my unwanted husband. If he’s even one for dancing at all.

My heart sinks, a regrettable thing considering how awed I was a moment before. I rouse myself from my unpleasant musings and focus again on that plush field, imagining the tickle of grass on my bare ankles, the scent of mountain air—

A sudden jolt of the coach has me lurching in my seat. I fling out my arms to brace myself as I’m propelled forward. I manage to catch the wall beside me, but my gloved hand slips.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.