The Fated and the Damned (The Cursed Blood Book 2) by Chloe Hodge

Author:Chloe Hodge [Hodge, Chloe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-02-15T16:00:00+00:00

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were nervous,” Eszter whispered in my ear after the others had left and we had a little time between sisters. “The fierce protector, scared by a little ceremony and pomp.”

I rolled my eyes, scoffing at her remark. “When it’s your turn to marry Lukasz, I’ll be sure to say the same thing.”

She laughed, the sound melodious and soothing. Her presence alone was enough to calm the nerves dancing a jig in my stomach. Without her, I would have crumbled already or taken flight. I wasn’t a runner—my days of curling in on myself were long done—but this wedding business made me want to bolt like a wayward mare.

Between Mama’s fussing and the proud tears, followed by Margit’s fingers pinching at me with her finishing touches this morning, it had been an ordeal.

Esther must have noticed my downward spiral, and she bumped my shoulder gently. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. You can back out if you’re not ready.”

We both knew that wasn’t really true. My coven depended on me, and I’d come to see the people of Mistvellen as my own, too. We needed this marriage for the stability of the city. For allies and for hope. Besides, I was never one to back down from a challenge.

I tilted my head. “It’s not that I don’t want to marry Dante. It’s just ...”

“You wish it were under different circumstances,” Eszter surmised, nodding in understanding.

“I think I love him,” I blurted suddenly, pressing my fingers to my lips as if I could take it back. Because I hadn’t really had the time to dissect that, not to mention him telling me he loved me. Those words from his lips meant everything, but I was still scared. There was still work to be done on our relationship—a lot of work that couldn’t be solved by sex alone, not that I was complaining. But a girl can hardly think when she’s getting fucked so hard her brains get scrambled.

Eszter’s eyes widened. She looked at me so long I felt like an artwork being scrutinised for its line work. “Why do I get the feeling that scares you?”

“I …” A lump I couldn’t seem to swallow caught in my throat. My lips worked, but nothing came out. Did it scare me? Yes. I was fucking terrified of this feeling. So many secrets, so many lies—not just from Dante, but from Mama and Caitlin too. It had all been so messy, right from the very start, and gods damned was it daunting to offer all of myself to someone and risk being hurt again. It hurt too much.

Eszter held my shoulders with surprising strength. “Listen to me Kitarni. Everything you’re feeling is valid. There is freedom and strength in being vulnerable. Your fears are like any other demon you might face, and I have every confidence you’ll conquer them.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “What if I can’t? What if the very thing I’m afraid of happens?”

She shook her head.

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