the-tarishe-curse

Thank you,_ I managed to say.Replying with a nod, he approached my horse. __ere, let me help you___ slipped down myself before he could lend a hand, keeping the fur hide in my possession. ____ not suddenly incapable because I wear a dress, Thaddeus.___ wasn__ suggesting_._ Wisely, he let the issue drop.Lifting an arm, he offered it to me. That__ when I noticed my sword in sheath belted to his waist.__hat__ mine!_ I declared, reaching for the hilt.Thaddeus managed a quick side-step. He hardened his jaw at my look of incredulity. I would only wait momentarily for an explanation. __ know the sword is yours, Catherine, everyone knows that. But you__e too beautiful tonight to ruin that radiant look with an ugly, leather belt strapped about you.__ was starting to think the man was using compliments as a weapon to defend himself against me. It did work to temper my anger somewhat.__ brought the sword as a cautionary act, just in case those nasty werewolves show up. Seeing how I__l be standing beside you all evening, the blade will be at your disposal if needed.__ accepted his reasoning and stood down. __esides,_ Thaddeus added, apparently feeling safe, __hat__ yours is mine now anyway.__ glared at the fool. __hat works both ways, you know.__e rolled his eyes and shrugged. __f it must.__gain, he offered me his arm which I grudgingly accepted.

Are you ready to go home, Catherine?_ he asked. __t__ warm inside the house. I kept a fire going for you.__ continued looking at him, unsure how to respond. __hanks,_ I managed to say and then glanced in the direction of his house__ur house. __ell, you are my wife. And I know you don__ like the cold.____ his wife, I thought to myself. He had said the words as if that simple fact made it necessary to be both thoughtful and kind. As if having gained a wife or husband meant having also gained her or his concerns, and hence the need to consider the person__ needs, wants, and preferences as strongly as one__ own. It struck me as a perfect description of what marriage ought to be. An agreeable notion that had not entered into my petty way of viewing matrimony. I would have assumed it to be above Thaddeus_ egotistical mindset as well.__atherine?_ he said again, watching me regard him with a quizzical expression. __re you ready to go home?__ nodded, which made him smile.

Turn around_.you__e got grass and dead flowers__y fingers naturally began to comb through my long, black strands, shaking things loose as Sarti carefully removed more stubborn pieces. The flowers had been left over from my forced marriage to Thaddeus. The grass, from a sensual night with Kresh the eve of my honeymoon. Devilish irony.

Kresh kept silent beside me as Baron rehearsed his deadly plan. I listened with my eyes aimed at the horizon, witnessing the night consume a final red vein of daylight. It struck me that nightfall always drowned the sunset. Never did the sun resurface from where it sank, nor would it ever.

It isn__ always true that a critical end justifies desperate means.

Vengeance would have us assault an enemy's pride to beat him down. But vengeance hides a dangerous truth, for a humbled foe gains patience, courage, strength, and greater determination.