Fuse - E. L. Todd Page 0,1

start a family.”

“But what if I don’t want a husband and a family?” Cora had no interest in any of the boys in town. They were exactly that—boys.

“That’s too bad,” he said coldly. “That’s the way things are.”

“Says who?” she questioned. “Society’s rules aren’t actual rules. They’re opinions. And I have my own.”

He looked down at the counter and sighed like this conversation was giving him a headache. “Cora, you’re a smart woman. Maybe you disagree with what I’m saying, but that doesn’t make my counsel wrong. The road ahead will be nothing but difficult if you continue to resist. I suggest you pick a husband while there are still good ones to choose from.”

“Please don’t tell me you think Seth is a good choice.” He was an arrogant bastard. Cora wouldn’t consider him if he were the last man on the face of the earth.

“I think he’s better than some. His family owns the cotton fields. You would be well taken care of.”

Cora couldn’t stop herself from rolling her eyes.

“Cora.” His deep voice sounded again. “I admire your independence, but don’t be childish. You’re smart enough to understand how the world works. If you don’t marry, you’ll be sold to the brothel.”

“I’d rather die.” She’d slit her own throat if she had to.

“Then marry Seth. Or pick someone else. It doesn’t really matter. But you can’t stay like this forever.”

She picked up the blade again and admired it under the dim light. Weaponry was the only thing she had any passion for. Concentrating on molding the metal and getting the forges to the exact right temperature was what made her feel alive. Romance, marriage, and babies… They simply weren’t her thing.

“Cora.”

She slowly looked up at him, hiding her thoughts deep behind her eyes.

“I wish my sons were half as tough as you are.” Dorian looked after her when he didn’t have to, and even though his family didn’t have much, they somehow managed to feed another mouth. While he wasn’t particularly affectionate with her, he was never cruel. “Maybe the rest of the village doesn’t admire you, but I do. I taught you the trade, but somehow, you outshine me. You don’t take bullshit from anyone, and you hold your head high in pride, not arrogance. And you’re beautiful without being vain. But those qualities don’t mean much if you throw them away. Marry a good man and make the sacrifice. You can continue to do all the things you love without the grief. I know you’ve trusted my counsel in the past, so trust it now.”

Marriage was repulsive. Being legally bound to a man she didn’t love would be torture. But she was running out of options. Dorian always had her best interests at heart, and he treated her like another son. If there was anyone she trusted, it was him. “I’ll think about it.”

Two

Miss Fitz always told the best stories.

Whether they were true or false, it didn’t matter. The tales were riveting and entertaining. The young and the old gathered around the roaring fire just to hear Miss Fitz talk about ancient history and prophecies of the distant future.

Cora always came, despite the stares directed her way. Disapproval rang in the air, and the girls whispered to one another while giving her cold looks. She was the talk of the town because she was one of the last few to take a husband.

She didn’t care what they thought.

Cora took a seat against a tree log and admired the flames in the center of the clearing. They burned with a rhythmic pattern, the flames dancing to the music of the stars, crackling and popping to make their own songs.

She became lost in thought when Miss Fitz started to speak.

“Tonight, we will speak of the dragons.”

Some people at the campfire sighed in disappointment. The legend of the dragons had been told for ages. But others stiffened in interest, wanting to hear the tale as many times as they could.

It happened to be Cora’s favorite.

Miss Fitz adopted her storytelling voice, making it echo and bellow throughout the clearing. Everyone snuggled together under their sheep blankets and kept warm. “At the beginning of time, dragons ruled Anastille. They lived high in the mountains and low in the valleys. They were the kings of the land, ruling over every living thing.

“But all of that changed when man first set foot onto Anastille thousands of years ago. Unable to stay in their homeland after the highest mountain exploded in fire, they retreated to