Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood: A Dark Fairytale Reimagining (Tales So Wicked Book 2) by Violet Taylor

Author:Violet Taylor [Taylor, Violet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-09-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Lenore

True to his word, Cassius meets me at the pasture gates with an illustrious white stallion and several parcels tied to the saddle.

“We’re sharing?” I ask, slightly embarrassed.

“I didn’t have a good excuse for needing two horses that didn’t also require a carriage. I didn’t want them asking too many questions.”

He has a fair point. I’m assuming those in the castle will leave me alone to grieve for the remainder of the day. It’s likely no one will enter my room before dinner. If I’m lucky, they’ll just assume I’m hiding somewhere in the castle and not send a search party.

Cassius gives me a boost, helping me to mount the horse. He swings a long leg over behind me. The horse shifts, acclimating itself to having two passengers. Cassius’s body is warm as it’s pressed up against my back.

We ride for nearly an hour, taking the trails slowly. I’m grateful for the pace. I don’t think I can handle being gallop-tossed around while I’m squished up against Cassius.

My hips have grown increasingly uncomfortable when a small structure comes into view.

“I did some asking around. This cottage is used seasonally by hunters.” He gives me a bashful shrug. “It’s no castle. I can try to look for something nicer or an inn if you’d like to ride farther.”

My thighs tense at the thought of riding any more. “This is great. Let’s get inside.”

We tie the horse to the largest of the nearby oaks. There’s no barn, but the sprawling branches provide ample coverage should another storm approach. Cassius pulls several carrots from one of the bags. He leaves them at the horse’s feet, giving the beautiful creature a pat before guiding us inside.

It isn’t a castle, that’s for sure. I can tell by the lack of décor and general untidiness that a woman has never stepped foot in this cottage. Still, it has a cozy feel. Looking out the windows, I can see nothing but trees. “It’s perfect.”

Cassius lays the items he’s packed on the table. “There are already some supplies here. Someone must have stopped by recently.”

The last bag of food he opens is full of apples. Something cracks in my chest. Pain and grief threaten to flood my ribcage, drowning me in emotions that are too cataclysmic to navigate.

I slam the door on my feelings, imprisoning them deep below. I don’t want to be sad right now. Numbness starts in my chest, spreading outward. A chill moves with it, leeching my body of feelings and warmth.

A muted version of panic flaps inside me when I realize I can’t feel anything. I wanted to shut down the hurt but somehow I’ve gotten rid of everything. Reaching within, I search for the fond memories from earlier.

They’re gone. I reach for the hostility and rage I felt when I saw Harrow in the maze.

It’s vanished. Finally, I seek out the suffering I felt in being unable to bring my mother back. Nothing.

I feel nothing. Nothing.

How did it happen so fast? I locked my emotions away too tight.

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