The Girl Who Broke the Dark by Evelyn Puerto

Author:Evelyn Puerto
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evelyn Puerto

24

“We need to find Shirdona, now,” Istvan said. He charged down the stairs, his footsteps thumping harder than Eliana’s racing heart.

For once, Eliana completely agreed with him. Without Shirdona, they’d never find the rest of their party. Eliana forced her stiff muscles into motion and sprinted after him.

She caught up with him in the first-floor storeroom. He stood at the tower’s door, studying the empty, silent cavern. Cold, musty air poured in through the opening, tickling Eliana’s nose. She sneezed.

With a sigh, Istvan yanked a cloth from his pocket and wiped his sweating face. A scrap of paper fluttered to the ground, but he didn’t seem to notice. He drew his sword, the metal blade scraping the edges of the scabbard. “I’m going to scout around. Wait here.” Without looking at her, he strode into the cavern.

Eliana let him go. She desperately craved a few moments of peace to think. On impulse, she picked up the parchment that Istvan had dropped. It bore the seal of Nafplio. News from his family, no doubt. She tucked it into her pocket and scurried after him, not wanting to lose him in the dim tunnels.

As he moved through the cavern, his back was straight and stiff, like the mast of a ship holding sails. And he held the rudder, determining the course. Maybe Istvan needed to be in control. But she would not let him dictate to her. Not now, not for the rest of their lives.

The flickering light of the lone sunbeam mirrored her shifting thoughts. She had to break the curse to save her people. She didn’t think her army could withstand Cetus. Would Cinar and other realms support Ymittos if they knew she could have stopped Cetus but refused?

But to break the curse was to breach her promise, to violate her honor. She was betrothed to Istvan. Maybe she didn’t feel the romantic love she’d felt for Evander. But it was time to move on, to grow up, to face the reality of what was and not cling to her dreams.

Besides, Istvan could be winsome, although she hadn’t seen much of that lately. She had to believe he could be reasoned with. His dictatorial side was only coming out because of their perilous situation. Once she broke the curse, his earlier charm and courtesy would return. She was sure of it.

But she and Istvan would only have a life together if he killed the cursed prince. Otherwise, her betrothal contract would be annulled. That would create all kinds of political complications. Would the Nafplians forgive that offense to their dochan and their realm? Or would that drive them to ally with Cetus? And she wasn’t sure she wanted to marry a man who would kill another in cold blood.

Maybe Istvan and the prince could duel for her. That would at least make things fair. But if things went badly, she could easily end up with no husband. This is too complicated. She rubbed her throbbing forehead, longing for someone, anyone, who could help her sort through the decision.

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