Kingdom of the Cursed (Kingdom of the Wicked Book 2)

“He said what?” Fauna’s eyes were as big as saucers. She looped her arm through mine and escorted us out onto a covered pathway. “Maybe you misheard him. Or misinterpreted his meaning. That’s possible. Isn’t it?”

“Of all the things he could have said after that moment.” I exhaled, my breath clouding in the frosty morning air. I was too annoyed to be embarrassed. After the incident in the weapons room, I hadn’t seen Wrath for the rest of the night. “I well and truly loathe that demon.”

My friend snorted but held her tongue. We strolled across one of the long stretches of covered parapets that surrounded the castle. Guards nodded from their stations on the wall as we passed. Once we were far enough away, Fauna leaned in. “Perhaps he only said it because he’ll be envisioning you doing that from now on.”

“Doubtful. He couldn’t remove himself from the room fast enough.”

“I bet all of House Greed that he took himself in hand last night and thought of you while he spilled his seed.”

Even with my newfound confidence in owning my desires and feeling no shame, my face heated from the openness with which Fauna discussed such private matters.

She’d called on me first thing in the morning and managed to wrangle what had been troubling me before I’d donned my velvet cloak. Fauna hadn’t blushed or batted an eye at the topic, one that would have caused shock and scandal back home. She’d simply asked if I’d returned the favor with either my hand or my mouth, then giggled wildly when I’d asked for clarification on the latter.

“Maybe he didn’t want to take you in the weapons room where anyone could walk in. You are to be his wife. It’s not out of the question that he’d protect you from prying eyes.”

“Please.” I nearly snorted. “Half this realm is content to fornicate in public. I doubt he’d let someone walking in on us deter him.”

He certainly hadn’t minded an audience when we’d ended up in the corridor outside our rooms. I gritted my teeth at the memory. Facing him after that encounter hadn’t been awkward. The same could not be said for when I saw him next. I had no idea how to act.

“Actually, public rendezvous are not as common outside of House Lust and House Gluttony. Sure, other princes show off debauchery on occasion, like Greed and his gaming hell, but not to the extent as those particular Houses. His highness may want you to be certain you’re choosing him with a clear head. Perhaps he wasn’t sure that’s what you wanted and he left before he did something he thought you’d regret.”

Frustration built in my chest. “Lifting my skirts was a clear indication of my wants. If he wishes to secure the marriage bond, he’s not convincing me that’s something he wants.”

“From what you described, my lady, it sounds like physical attraction is not the issue.”

I halted in my tracks. I had no idea why this was this getting under my skin. Regardless of what transpired the night before, I still did not want to secure our bond. The thought that he felt the same shouldn’t consume my thoughts. Especially when I had a hundred other things to be concerned with. Like the fast-approaching Feast of the Wolf.

I shook off the annoyance and proceeded toward the tower with my friend. “Enough talk of princes for now. I don’t want the matron to overhear us and report back to Wrath.”

Fauna laughed. “That, I can promise, will likely never happen.”

“I take it their animosity isn’t new.”

“Not at all.” Fauna pulled us to a stop, then glanced around. “Rumor claims it’s centuries old. Some say her daughter was cursed and the prince did nothing to save her.”

“Is her daughter in the castle?”

“That’s just it… no one knows. There is speculation that his highness banished her from this circle. For a time, at least. It’s possible the matron retrieved her and has her hidden somewhere.”

For some reason goose bumps rose along my skin. I thought of the wailing that floated up from below the statue of the woman and the serpent. I couldn’t imagine Wrath punishing someone by sending them deep underground. Perhaps that was because he hadn’t done it.

Even though I hardly knew her, I didn’t doubt the matron could have done something like that. Especially if it wasn’t to punish, but to protect.

Maybe the wailing, miserable creature I’d heard was her missing daughter. And if the matron brought her daughter back and kept her locked away, I was even more curious to know why. Wrath knew everything that went on in his circle, and I doubted the matron would keep this secret from him for long. Which indicated she was hiding her daughter from another prince.

A new suspicion entered my thoughts. This story was similar to another I’d heard. One that involved La Prima Strega and her daughter. The First Witch was rumored to have cursed the devil because her daughter fell in love with him and they refused to give each other up.

Was the Matron of Curses and Poisons actually the First Witch?

If she was and she’d cursed the devil, I wanted to know why she was currently in Wrath’s castle, claiming to be someone else. He must know her true identity. Which meant he also knew what she’d done to his brother, and would explain their hatred and history. So why, then, would he be willing to keep her secret, unless she knew one of his? And if that was the case, it had to be a secret so wicked he’d be willing to strike a bargain with a sworn enemy.

Given what he’d done to save me, that didn’t seem so unbelievable.

“Daughter of the Moon. Lady Fauna.” Celestia opened her door before I finished knocking. I hid my smile. Wrath would be furious she’d answered so quickly. “How may I be of service to you?”

“I have a few questions. About curses.”

Her delight appeared genuine. “By all means. You’ve come to the right place. Come in.”

I walked into the tower chamber and was immediately hit with the pleasing aroma of herbs and oils. I swallowed the pang of homesickness, the sudden reminder of Nonna Maria making spell candles in our small family kitchen. My family was safe. And I would finish what I set out to do and get back to make more happy memories with them. Soon.

I wrenched myself into the present. Celestia moved across the chamber and pulled books and pots off of stools, making room for us to sit around her prep table. While she did that, my attention shifted to items I’d missed during my first visit.

The matron had even more strange and curious things in her collection. From corked jars filled with blinking eyes, to baskets of bird beaks, one overflowing with claws, and another bin stuffed with feathers. Pots of salves and ointments and lotions of all kinds.

A bird skull with runes carved into it was placed on top of a pile of leather-bound books.

She noticed what caught my attention and nodded to it. “Ravens symbolize many things. Death, healing, fertility. Wisdom.”

“And the runes?” I drifted closer but did not touch the carvings or the remains. If she was the First Witch, she might have enchanted the skulls and sent them to me. I was unsure if she was trying to help, or if my theory was wildly wrong. She might be exactly who she claimed, and I was forcing together puzzle pieces that didn’t fit. “Do they animate the skull?”

“No.” Celestia eyed me with what appeared to be suspicion. If she was the First Witch, she was directly birthed from a goddess. I wasn’t sure if she could sense emotions like Wrath could, but I did my best to keep calm. “They come to me when I meditate over the skull. I etch what the raven wishes me to see. Arcane symbols can be a powerful ally to those with magic in their blood.”

Fauna shifted uncomfortably, her attention riveted to the jars tapping with unseen forces on the far side of the chamber. I glanced back to the matron and lowered my voice. “Can they be used to enhance Source?”

“For witches, yes. For those who are Source, no. Arcane symbols originate from their essence.”

“Those who… you mean the goddesses.”

Celestia nodded, her gaze sharp as she studied my face.

According to Nonna’s legends, the goddesses were the original source of our power, diluted over time through the First Witch’s descendants.

I looked the silver-and-lavender-haired woman over carefully. Her face was lightly lined, but there was no clear indication of her age. Fauna had mentioned that her animosity with Wrath was centuries old, which meant she was likely immortal. The shade of purple in her hair also did not escape my notice. It was the same color of my tattoo with Wrath, and also when I saw luccicare, the faint aura surrounding humans.

I couldn’t tell if it was excitement or fear pumping through my veins.

“So if a witch uses arcane symbols with their spells, it increases the potency of that spell.”

“Correct.”

I slid my focus to Fauna, who was squinting into a cauldron now. “Is it possible for anyone to enchant a skull and send a message? Perhaps a prince of Hell, or a witch.”

“All is possible; whether it’s probable is another story. Those with knowledge of arcane symbols might be able to do such a thing.” Celestia motioned for me to sit. “Were there any symbols carved onto the bone?” I shook my head. “Then I doubt a demon prince or witch was responsible. It was likely someone much closer to Source.”

Someone like the First Witch. I kept my breathing even, unwilling to alert anyone to my heightened emotions. If Celestia was the First Witch and her daughter was cursed, that meant the devil’s first wife wasn’t dead after all. And if she truly lived, then I was definitely right about the witches on my island being murdered for a different reason.

One that had nothing to do with the devil seeking a bride.

And everything to do with revenge.

“Lady Emilia?” Fauna broke into my spiraling thoughts. “Shall we go back to the main palace?”

“Yes.” I stood, then spun around to face the matron. “One last question. The Curse Tree. I’ve been told it grants more than wishes, that it offers knowledge. How would one go about obtaining information instead of a wish or a hex?”

Fauna’s attention shot to me like an arrow, but I ignored it. Celestia narrowed her eyes.

“Carve the true name of the one you seek information about into the trunk. Then take one leaf from the tree. Careful when you do—the leaves are as fragile as glass. When you desire the truth, break the leaf in the presence of the one whose name you carved.”

I thought about the First Witch, of legends and fables we’d been told. None had ever used her name. “What if I’m unsure of the person’s true name? Will their title work?”

“Names have power. Titles are a show of power. One can be taken or given on a whim, the other cannot.” Celestia smiled in a way that set my nerves on edge. “Was there anything else, my lady?”

The way she said “my lady” drove home her point. It was a courtesy title, something given that held little meaning outside of this realm. My name was different. Aside from my first name, I would only be a princess or lady here. On my island I would forever remain Emilia Maria di Carlo unless I married. And only my surname would change, never my first.

“No, thank you. You’ve been most… informative.”