But myDrakewon’t let me.He’surging me on in his wordless way—he wants to know the little priestess better.
And—against my better judgment—so doI.
“Because someone was kind to me, once, whenIwas wandering and alone,”Isaid at last, thinking ofKline.
And because myDrakelikes you,Idon’t add aloud.ButIcan feel his continued and growing interest in the little priestess—he wants me to help her.SoI’lldo my best.
“Now tell me about this curse,”Isay, looking down at her.“Anddon’t leave anything out.”
8
THERON
Elowen pours out a story of woe and regret…a late night trip with her classmates from theNaturetemple dorms to a witch’s cottage…the rest of the girls snatching wish flowers…and the witch catching them all.
Then the curse.
“Say it to me,”Iurge her, when she falters at this part.“Doyou remember the words?”
“Of courseIdo—Ihave an excellent memory for anything magical.”Shelifts her chin and begins to recite
“A fire shall burn you, fierce and wild
No longer maidens—soon with child!
Seek the roughest male you can find
Beg him to take you—fuck you blind.
You’ll crave his touch, you’ll need his hands
You’ll beg his tongue to meet demands
No prayer will grant you sweet release
Until at last your hunger’s ceased
But once within his seed is cast
Your hidden shame will rise at last.
Your belly swelling as you rut,
Is proof to all you’re just a slut!”
Just as she finishes, another girl in white priestess robes stumbles intoTheAnvil.Shehas a wild look in her pale blue eyes and her pointed ears make it clear she also hasFaeblood, just likeElowen, who stiffens at my side and whispers,
“Name of theGoddess!It’sMirabella!”
“Who?”Imurmur, never taking my eyes from the girl.Shelteredin the shadows of the hearth as we are, she clearly doesn’t see us.She’slooking frantically around at the different patrons of the bar, as if she’s searching for something…or someone.
“You!”she exclaims at last, going up to theSatyrwith one crumpled horn.
He looks up from his ale with a snort, his slotted goat’s eyes bloodshot and glaring.Asidefrom his eyes he looks like a human man from the waist up.Butwhen he stands up from his stool to tower over the little priestess, his lower half becomes visible.
He has shaggy fur starting at his waist and the backwards bending hind legs of a goat.Hishooves tap on the stone floor as he shifts his stance.
“What do you want, girly?”he asks in a thick, braying voice.
