Charmless (Fantastic Fairy Tales Book 2) by Susan Carroll
Author:Susan Carroll [Carroll, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2024-03-12T00:00:00+00:00
Thirteen
The sun disappeared behind the clouds, the air heavy with the scent of oncoming rain. The overcast sky matched the bleakness of my mood as I trudged along beside Horatio. I was accustomed to covering the distance to the Bottoms on foot, yet I had thought Horatio would want to fetch his horse from the stables. But he feared if Mal spotted Loyal tied up outside the Hawkâs Nest, Mal would be likely to flee.
Horatioâs plan was to conceal all evidence of his presence. He had even brought along a hooded black cloak which he carried slung over his shoulder.
I could not refrain from pointing out, âThat cloak will not prove much of a disguise.â
âIt is not intended to be.â Horatio gestured toward the lowering sky. âI brought it in the event we are caught in a rainstorm.â
He showed far more foresight than I had. When I had seen the Hansons being dragged from their home by the Border Scutcheons, my one thought had been to find Horatio as quickly as possible. I had not paused for anything, even to fetch a shawl. Getting wet was the least of my worries.
However, we had not gone far, when I realized Horatio had not brought the cloak for himself. Commanding me to halt, he swirled the garment about my shoulders.
âNo,â I protested. âMy gown is old and faded, but your uniform could be ruined.â
âMy uniform has survived far worse things than rain.â
I persisted in trying to remove the cloak, but his hand closed over mine to stop me.
âLeave it, Ella. You agreed to do as you are told, remember?â he said sternly.
I sighed and stood like an obedient child while he fastened the cloak about my neck. But I squirmed inwardly with shame and guilt. Despite how I had deceived him and brought all this trouble down upon his head, Horatio was still striving to protect me.
I mumbled my thanks as we resumed our trek. The cloak which would only have reached the top of Horatioâs boots hung to my heels. I had to hug the garment tightly about me to keep from treading upon the hem.
I hoped I had done right by telling Horatio where to find Mal, the only thing I could do to prevent disaster from overtaking all three of us. I still felt wretched about it, fearing I was betraying my dearest friend to a terrible fate.
I glanced up at Horatio but could glean no comfort from his rigid profile.
âIf I persuade⦠â I paused and amended, seeking to inject a more confident note into my voice. âWhen I persuade Mal to give back the orb, I suppose you will still feel obliged to arrest him.â
âOf course.â
I swallowed. âAnd send him to the Kingâs Royal Prison?â
âNo. I would not send my worst enemy to that place if I could avoid it. But I do intend to incarcerate your friend in my gaol for a long stretch until I am convinced, he is ready to abandon his illegal activities and earn his bread as an honest apothecary.
Download
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.
Fairy Tales | Folklore |
Mythology |
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire(7220)
Circe by Madeline Miller(6890)
Burn for You (Slow Burn Book 1) by J.T. Geissinger(6433)
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas(6114)
A Lesson in Thorns (Thornchapel Book 1) by Sierra Simone(4598)
The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon(4420)
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant(3878)
Stolen (Alpha's Control Book 1) by Addison Cain(3754)
The Queen and the Cure (The Bird and the Sword Chronicles Book 2) by Amy Harmon(3427)
Mythology by Edith Hamilton(3284)
Pernicious Red (When The Wicked Play Book 1) by Natalie Bennett(3159)
Run Little Wolf (The Forest Pack Series Book 1) by G. Bailey(3066)
The Queen and the Cure by Amy Harmon(2690)
Lost Boy by Christina Henry(2433)
(Maiden Lane #5) Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt(2411)
Mythos by Stephen Fry(2380)
The Fairy Queen (The Dark Queens Book 6) by Jovee Winters(2351)
Persephone by Kitty Thomas(2229)
(Night Walker) by Lisa Kessler(1795)