#krys stares into the middle distance

[krys-loves-otome]

So, heads up for the writing blog ( @not-krys ), I have been made aware that some of the links are not working on some of the masterlists, so I'm going to be working on trying to fix them when I can. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[chosenkeepersworld]

The Curses We Inherit- Chapter 8

Original Work

Date Posted: July 14, 2021 (Tumblr)

Word count: 1, 097 words

A/N: Work is unbeta'd but I do hope you'll still enjoy reading it. Comments are always appreciated! And if you can't wait to read what happens next, this story is also up on Wattpad (under the username ChosenKeeper0971) but with way more chapters, I appreciate your support there too!

Thank you so much, I hope everyone is having an awesome day and happy reading :)

Masterlist / Part 7

Danika sunk into her seat apprehensively turning her head back and forth as Krysa and Jac argued.

"Are you insane? We're more likely to get lost, we should stick to the main road"

"The main road takes way too long" Jac exclaimed "Going off road would get us there faster because there are less people and honestly the view would be way better"

Jac and Krysa had taken up the driver seat and passenger seat respectively but it did not take long for both girls to start arguing on what path to take.

"The main road is safer" Krysa argued

"We're on a spontaneous trip, we might as well take a spontaneous path" Jac shot back

Krys sighed, shaking her head. She glanced at Danika, who still felt awkward, sitting uncomfortably in the back. The curly blonde's face softened. "We're sorry about the arguing, it happens a lot when we travel together."

"It's true, unfortunately" Jac said, glancing back through the rearview mirror "We'll tone it down, I promise and I'm sorry" she did sound contrite.

The tension in Danika's body slowly left, she gave a small smile "Thanks. So which road are we taking?" she asked leaning forward between the two seats.

Jac and Krysa shared a look before Krysa reached back to hand Danika their map.

"Up to you, girl," Jac said, settling into her seat.

She stared at them quizzically "You guys still use maps?"

"It's Krysa's preference" Jac giggled "She's not too good with technology"

"I'm old fashioned" Krysa laughed "Which is it Dan?"

"Jac" Dan said slowly "How well do you know the spontaneous road?"

Their eyes met in the rearview, Jacqueline grinned widely "I am so glad you asked"

It turns out Jacqueline had not memorized the off-roads as well as Danika thought, but Jac knew it well enough not to take any wrong turns. Krysanthe, despite trusting Jacqueline's sense of direction, was still slightly apprehensive about the road itself.

So the driver at least has some idea on where they were going, the road may not be completely safe but Jacqueline was right about the view. The road they took had a wonderful view of the surrounding nature, in the distance Danika could see the patches of fields and meadows. The road they were on was in a slightly higher area so they could see more small towns in the lower plains.

"Despite how it looks, the island is pretty big" Krysanthe explained, her eyes lighting up "A lot of families have been living on this island for centuries, the original founders started with one kingdom, but the people eventually revolted against the royal family"

"How come?"

"According to the history books, the people were treated horribly, citizens from other kingdoms were treated better and the king at the time was practically a man-child"

"What about the other explanation?" Jac chimed in

Krysa rolled her eyes "I find the alternative absolutely ridiculous" she said "A bedtime story for children"

Danika straightened in her seat "I would like to hear this ridiculous alternative to history" it was probably just a coincidence, right? There was no way it was the same story.

"A witch supposedly cursed the royal family, causing family members to die. Grief and sorrow was constant within the castle, eventually the royal family became negligent, they stopped caring about their people and the more responsible and experienced heirs died off leaving the youngest one to take over so..." Krysa trailed off, leaving Danika to piece together what most likely happened. "I personally don't believe in any of that"

Jacqueline shot a glance at her "What about all that stuff that happened to you as a kid?"

"I was child, I probably just imagined all of it" Krysa replied, waving her hand dismissively

"You mean that's what Rhian told you"

Danika scooted closer, sticking her head between the two seats "Who's Rhian?"

"I'll tell you if you sit properly," Kyrsa said pointedly.

The heiress did as she was told then smiled innocently.

Kyrsanthe rolled her eyes, smiling but complied "Rhian is the closest person I would consider to be my parent. The first few years of my childhood wasn't what one would consider ideal but when Rhian took me in I just knew things would get better. I owe her a lot" Krysa mused "Ironic, considering a lot of what I did yesterday and this morning feels like I've taken advantage of her trust"

"I think you're being too hard on yourself, besides when was the last time you did something on a whim? In university? Three years ago with that guy-"

"We are not going to talk about him!" Danika flinched at the tone of Krysanthe's voice, she never thought the small woman would be capable of producing it. In the short time that the youngest O'Brien knew her Krysa had been professional, a touch too much in Danika's opinion, and controlled but hospitable and kind. Whoever this guy was must really hit a sore spot.

The car fell silent after Krysa's outburst, Jacqueline was uncharacteristically silent, Krysa had worn her sunglasses and put on earphones while Danika continued staring out into their surroundings, distracting herself with the beautiful yet distant sights.

******************

A gas station out in the backroads was not something Danika had expected to find. Yet here they were at-Danika raised her head to read the sign again Stone's Stop.

Jacqueline had claimed that this was the best place to rest up before going on with their trip despite Krysa's look of incredulity. Danika had a few reservations about this place, mainly because the fact that it's in the middle of nowhere and is surrounded by a lot of trees making it look way more sinister than Jac claims. But to be fair, the place was clean and had a decent looking convenience store.

There was a tall and burly man coming out from another building beside the convenience store, wiping his hands on a cloth.

Jacqueline parked the truck beside one of the fuel pumps, the girls got out of the car and Jac grinned as she came forward while the other two lingered behind.

Danika didn't hear what Jacqueline or the man were saying but she could see that they were glad to see each other, both girls began to slowly relax seeing the stranger grin and laugh while talking to their friend.

"I take it you don't know him" the heiress whispered.

Kyrsa shook her head "Jac likes to roam, which usually results into some unusual friendships" she smiled suddenly "It's a lovely of hers, being able to make friends wherever you go"

"Listen I'm sorry for snapping earlier. That topic is particularly-" Krysa paused "difficult to talk about"

"You know it's okay if you don't want to talk about something that you aren't comfortable with" Danika said as she squeezed Krysa's arm "But Jac deserves the apology, not really me"

Krysa squeezed Danika back.

Jac walked back to them still smiling "Alrighty ladies get whatever you need from the store. I'll fill her up then we'll get going"

"I'll catch up," Krysa told Danika.

Danika grinned as the florist turned to speak with their friend then to make her way to the convenience store. Taglist: @mel-writes-with-her-dragons @woodhousejay @dustylovelyrun