Blue Voodoo: A Romantic Retelling of Bluebeard (The Hidden Kingdom Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

time for the festivities!” Dominique bit the inside of her cheek, cursing herself for the sharpness of her tone. She halted her march, and inhaled slowly through her nose. “There is… Something is not right. I must commune with the loa before my preparations for tonight’s celebration go any further.”
    Behind her the ounsi gasped. “What’s wrong? Is it serious?”
    The power inside of her flickered, danced, and stretched impossibly high, radiating out in a rare show of raw power. Dominique gritted her teeth, hands biting into the shattered relic. She hadn’t lost control like this since she was an inexperienced youth, still dreaming of her initiation. To struggle like this now, all because of…of him. It was insufferable. And completely unacceptable.
    “Everything will be fine, Virgine. Stay here and warm up your voice. I can’t have my most gifted ounsi warbling like a nervous baby bird on one of the greatest nights of the year, now can I?”
    She offered a reassuring smile over her shoulder, hoping it wasn’t as tense as it felt. Virgine hesitated, her brow wrinkled like she wasn’t entirely convinced. Dominique held her ground until the look of concern melted away into a smile. “I will strive to be at my best tonight.”
    “Good.”
    Batting the tent flap out of her way, Dominique emerged into a buzzing hive of activity, the scents and sights of Midsummer preparations a veritable feast for the senses. The mouth-watering aroma of fresh baked bread reminded her that she hadn’t eaten yet, and the tempting hint of bourbon and wine whispered seductively that food was optional and there were finer pleasures to be had tonight. Her people scurried to and fro like sugar-fueled children, laughing and exclaiming over one another’s food and costumes, everyone excited about the festivities darkness would bring.
    And every one of them wanted to pay their respects to Dominique.
    Smile, nod, say hello.
    Her cheeks ached with the effort it took to keep the serene expression on her face and her skin stretched so tight she was certain it would split right down the center if she didn’t vent her frustration soon. The power inside her licked at her insides, flaring outward from her skin despite her attempts to keep it under control. Unacceptable.
    Relief seemed so near as she plunged into the swampland that marked the very edge of the village’s southern border, she nearly lost her footing on the root-sewn ground. The second she was hidden by a thick band of cypress trees, her shoulders drooped and her fury twisted her face into a snarl.
    Julien Marcon.
    The broken ason bit into her hand as she closed her grip, reminding her of its presence. A flicker of guilt twisted her gut, shaming her for allowing her emotions to wreak such destruction upon a holy object. She fell to her knees and dug into a path of soft earth, whispering a prayer as she buried the ason , returning it to the loa .
    Such a powerful item, yet so fragile, so easily broken. Like a promise.
    Temper flaring anew, Dominique surged to her feet and stomped through the shallow water of a particularly marshy area between two of the thickest trees, slamming her feet into the murky liquid with unnecessary force. The water sloshed against her worn leather boots, a few trickles managing to reach high enough to splash her knees and run down her leg into the high collars. The sensation was uncomfortable, and it only made her stomp all the harder.
    Ripples rose and bobbed wildly in ever broadening circles, licking the trunks of the surrounding foliage. Some of the ripples broke from the circle, halted by a large shape half-hidden under the water. Sickly green eyes blinked once, slowly, black slits thinning in Dominique’s direction. A snout as thick as her thigh rose from the water, offering a glimpse of yellowed teeth tinged with pink.
    As Dominique put her foot back on relatively dry land, the creature broke free of the water’s surface, gaping mouth revealing a