Curses Snippet! (Patreon)

So as you might know, I've been working hard on a book that is slooooowly killing me. I love it, but this one has been fighting me. I've shared bits featuring Merit and Tevin, the leads (enjoy those as some of those scenes have already been cut), but today I'd like you to meet Jarita. She works for Merit as a seamstress amongst other things and all of her little brothers have been turned into ravens. She is kind, but a little cheeky, and a I love her. Enjoy!

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“Milady’s curse was—.” She splayed her hands as she searched for the word. “Extensive. Her form has been radically altered, and we’ve found that preparing guests for it helps with any unwanted unpleasantness.” A quick glance told her that everyone was listening, so she continued. “We know you can’t control certain responses—if you swoon, you swoon. Do know that we have smelling salts ready. Try not to gawp. If at all possible, we ask you not to scream, and if you must cry, vomit, or suddenly relieve yourself, there is an outdoor privy just around the corner of the house behind that clump of rhododendrons. If you absolutely must shriek, please do so into your handkerchiefs.” She smiled at them calmly, and if she noticed the sudden silence or looks of trepidation in the DuMont family, she didn’t let on.

“Milady is not a violent creature unless provoked,” Jarita continued in a stern tone. “She will not harm for no reason. We have let your company keep their weapons as a show of good faith, but know this—if you so much as twitch toward your sidearms, a swift doom will be brought upon you.” A taut silence followed her words. She smiled suddenly and clapped her hands together, a sharp staccato of sound. “Right. Enjoy your refreshments. The lady of the house truly will be with you soon.” And with that, she disappeared in a swish of skirts.