The Cursed Hunter: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling by Bethany Atazadeh

Author:Bethany Atazadeh [Atazadeh, Bethany]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult Fiction, Animals, Mythical Creatures, Fairy Tales & Folklore, Adaptations, Fantasy, General
ISBN: 9781733288804
Google: qkcpzAEACAAJ
Publisher: Grace House Press
Published: 2020-06-29T23:00:00+00:00

“THERE’S SOMETHING I NEED to ask,” I said after we’d gone through our routine of Doost bringing breakfast and watching me burn my fingers as I tried to eat too fast.

When he’d moved unexpectedly to meet my gaze, I didn’t flinch. I even found myself standing closer to him than I used to. I pursed my lips and shook my head at that. Taking another long drink of water, I refilled my canteen in the stream, stalling.

He waited. Resting on the top of the ridge with his wings spread out to soak up the sun, head up and neck arched to stare down at me. He was truly majestic.

I cleared my throat. “Why did you take me that day?” I knew he couldn’t answer, and tried to find better words as I fiddled with the wrap on my arm, which felt remarkably improved. In fact, the cut itself was only superficial. It wouldn’t have caused more than a slight irritation back home; yet it had almost killed me here. More evidence that Jinn was a dangerous place.

His growl sounded like he was truly trying to speak, but of course, I understood none of it. I needed to ask a yes or no question.

My words came out stilted. “You’re not like other dragons, are you?”

When he shook his head, I released a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. “I was never supposed to be dinner.”

It wasn’t a question, but he shook his head again anyway.

“I don’t understand.” I threw my hands in the air. “What kind of dragon doesn’t kill people? It’s unnatural. It’s like you’re not a real dragon at all—”

Doost lunged to his feet, circling me. His growls made the hair on my arms lift instinctually, despite the way I’d begun to trust him.

“I didn’t mean to offend. Of course, you’re a real dragon, I know that—”

Again he cut me off, thumping his heavy tail on the ground and shaking his head so violently, I had to jump back or risk being knocked over.

“You’re... not a real dragon?” I said slowly.

Doost met my eyes and dipped his head in a careful, exaggerated nod, so I couldn’t miss it.

“What are you then?” I whispered, more to myself than anything, as I stared at his black scales, wings, and tail for some clue. “Is that why you dragged me up to your lair?” I mumbled, frowning. “Were you trying to show me something?”

He stood, wings folding in and extending again in his excitement.

I perked up. “You were?”

He lowered his head to my level until he was less than an arm’s length away. His eyes met mine—unblinking, hopeful.

“I’m onto something,” I said for his benefit, and didn’t need his huge nod to know it was true. “Have you already showed me and I missed it?”

This time it was no.

“Well...” I shrugged, waving a hand for him to lead on. “Whenever you’re ready then.”

I wasn’t sure what I expected. Maybe a short walk down a trail. Or for him to take his true form right there, perhaps as an ox-beast in disguise.

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