Apples Dipped in Gold by Scarlett St. Clair

Author:Scarlett St. Clair [St. Clair, Scarlett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks

Chapter Eight

The Nixie

Samara

I waited for Lore at the entrance to Cardic’s palace with the fox at my feet.

I worried about what lay ahead, both because of my brothers and because I was about to be isolated with Lore as we crossed the Enchanted Forest on an errand to free him from the curse of true love.

My fingers curled into fists. I clenched my jaw so tight, it hurt.

He was in love. He was in love, and he had tried to kiss me. At least I thought he had. I could still feel the press of his forehead against mine, the warmth of his breath on my lips.

I could still hear the way he said my name.

It shivered through me and then heated me up, and I was so angry.

Ladies do not get angry, I thought. Ladies do not get angry.

Usually, my mother’s words would quell my emotions, because I would remember how her warnings about my behavior made me feel—ashamed and embarrassed—and while I felt that way now, it wasn’t because of my anger.

It was because of Lore.

“Goodbye, beast,” said Cardic as he came to stand beside me.

I jumped, so lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t heard him approach.

He smiled at me, though it was teasing. “I’ll keep your bed warm in case you get bored of Lore.”

“I’m not sure your nun would approve of you offering beds to young women,” said Lore.

I turned to look at the prince who had suddenly appeared behind me. He looked more composed than earlier and now carried a linen bag, the strap across his chest.

“Did you just say nun?” I asked.

“Ignore him,” said Cardic, glaring at his brother. “He knows not what he speaks.”

“I appreciate your offer, Cardic,” I said, looking at him again. “I will keep it in mind.”

I ignored the low rumble that escaped Lore’s mouth as I walked ahead of him, following the fox across the terrace, down the palace steps and the spiraling bridge as it descended through the boughs of other oaks, ash, and yew.

None of us spoke, not even as we left Larkspur and entered the Enchanted Forest.

“Where exactly are we going?” I asked Fox, trying to keep pace with him.

“We must continue through the forest and over the river until we find the witch of the wood,” he said. “She has eyes everywhere and can tell us where the wishing tree will be.”

“A witch?” I asked. “Are you certain a witch can be trusted?”

“It is not about trust, wild one,” said the fox. “It is about the trade.”

We continued, but I soon found it too difficult to keep up with Fox and fell behind, walking beside Lore. Our hands brushed, and I pulled mine away, blushing fiercely, though I wasn’t sure why. I was frustrated with his closeness and how I couldn’t stop feeling him. I knew he could walk faster than me and wondered why he wasn’t.

“Did you mean what you said?” he asked.

I glanced at him. “What do you mean?”

“You told my brother you would consider his offer of a warm bed.

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