Here’s a scene I cut from The Girl Who Broke the Dark. 

Can you spot  how it’s different from the final version?

Istvan snarled, making Eliana shudder. His voice came out as a growl. “We need to find her, now.” He charged down the steps.

Eliana sprinted after him. Istvan was right. Without Shirdona, they had no idea of the way out.

She caught up with him at the foot of the stairs. He stood at the tower’s door, studying the empty cavern.

With a sigh, he pulled a cloth from his pocket and wiped his sweating face. A scrap of paper fell from his pocket but he didn’t seem to notice. He pulled his sword. “I’m going to scout around a little. Wait here.” Without looking at her, he strode into the cavern.

Eliana let him go. She wanted a few moments of peace to think through her next move. Idly she picked up the paper that Istvan had dropped. It bore the seal of Nafplio. Probably just some news from his family. She tucked it into her pocket to return to him later.

She watched him stride through the cavern. His back was set in a straight, stiff line like the mast of a ship that held the sails. And he was the one who held the rudder, determining the course. Maybe that’s what he thought. But she wasn’t going to let him dictate to her. Not now, not for the rest of their lives.

The flickering lights of the mushrooms mirrored her thoughts. She had to break the curse to save her people. She didn’t think her army would be able to withstand Cetus. And would the other kingdoms rally to her support? Maybe not, if they knew she could have stopped him but didn’t.

But there was such a thing as honor. She was betrothed to Istvan. Maybe she didn’t feel the romantic love she’d felt for Evander. But it was time to move on, to grow up. She had a duty to her kingdom. And Istvan could be charming, although she hadn’t seen much of that lately. And she had to believe he could be reasoned with. He was going all dictatorial because of the perilous situation they were in. Once the curse was broken, things would be better.

Which brought her back to how. She didn’t want to break her betrothal. Or pretend to do so just to wake the prince. And then what? Lure the prince into a sense of safety and let Istvan kill him? And did she want to marry a man who would kill another like that, in cold blood?

Maybe they could duel for her. She shuddered. She could easily end up with no husband after that.

A raucous laugh rang out, echoing faintly. Eliana screwed up her face. Where had she heard that before?”

A moment later, she spotted Istvan returning, his sword now sheathed. Shirdona sauntered next to him.

“There you are!” Shirdona’s voice held triumph. “We found you.”

Eliana gasped with relief. She strode forward to meet the woman, who was accompanied by what looked like most of her own men and Istvan’s.

Istvan’s face wore a tight scowl. “She says she went to find the others.” 

The woman smirked. “What else would I do?”

Istvan snarled. “But you left us with the prince.”

“I did.” The woman’s eyebrows drew together. “Where is he? Why didn’t you wake him up?”

Eliana explained the instructions, without mentioning Istvan’s plan. “I don’t think I can break my betrothal without my parent’s consent, or at least talking with them. So I’m going home.”

“You can’t.” Both Istvan and Shirdona voiced their opposition at the same time.

Eliana looked from one to the other. “Why not?”

Istvan tilted his head back and looked up. “Do I have to spell it out for you? We’ve used six days of the fifteen you had. Three days home, three days back puts us at twelve. Counting the three days you need to spend with the prince, you’re out of time.”

She pressed her lips together. His tone was condescending, but she couldn’t argue with his reasoning. “Can’t I send a bird?”

“How are you going to explain all this in a message in a bird? Besides, you came here to break the curse. I’m sure your parents would agree that’s what you have to do.”

Eliana looked at him for a long moment. Turning to Shirdona, she asked, “And you?”

“Going home would waste a lot of time. And give the Saumarotas time to guard the prince’s tower so you can’t get to it. Now that they know you’ve come once, they’ll be watching.”

The woman had a point. Eliana thought a moment. “I need to talk to Dimitris.”

“You could do that,” Shirdona said.

“If you wanted to behave like a child,” Istvan said. “For someone who wants to rule a country, you’re acting rather dependent.” He scoffed. “Little girls who don’t know their own minds have no business ruling.”

She gasped, stunned at his words. What happened to all his talk about the need for advice? She’d listened to his opinion. What was wrong with getting another? While she was still trying to collect her thoughts enough to respond, he continued. “I’ll always do what’s best for you, Eliana. You need to believe that.”

Bu could she? He didn’t seem to understand her need for reassurance about what to do. All he could see was his need to be in control. “Thank you, Istvan.” She swallowed the sour taste in her mouth. “Shirdona, do you have any food? We’re all tired and hungry and cranky.”

The woman laughed. “Yes, I think you are. And we do have some provisions. The Alagata family was gracious enough to share with the curse breaker and her attendants.”

Istvan stiffened. Eliana’s lips twitched. Istvan didn’t like being lumped in with the attendants, but she wasn’t about to help him out.

Shirdona waved a hand, gesturing at the people who were lighting fires, brewing tea and placing mats on the ground. Some looked familiar, probably Shirdona’s people. The other must be the Alagatas Shridona was talking about.

Eliana spotted Alessia among them. She caught her maid’s eye and jerked her chin in a silent command for Alessia to join her.

Keeping her eye on Alessia as her maid approached, Eliana spoke to Shirdona. “I have a question for you. If I did want to return to my parents, is their another way? It would take days to get back to where we descended.”

“There’s no problem. The Alagatas were about to go on a cattle raid. You can go the surface with them. That would save you a full day.”

“You’re planning on helping more cattle raiders?” Istvan put in, sarcasm thick and caustic.

Eliana suppressed her annoyance. “Why not? If I am to rule these people with their prince, shouldn’t I learn their ways? Even if I only rule over them for a few days.”

“You got him with that one,” Alessia murmured.

Eliana did have to clench her jaw to keep from laughing. Istvan’s nostrils flared, his face reddened. He gave her a curt nod. “Yes, you should learn their barbaric ways. You already fit in quite well.”

Eliana kept her chin high, trying to act as if his barb didn’t sting. Her father wouldn’t be pleased to hear how Istvan talked to her.

Shirdona pointed to a small waterfall that filled a small pool. “Istvan, you and your men can fill your waterskins there.”

With a huff he strode off.

Eliana watched him go. “You know, I’m really thirsty…”

Shirdona shook her head. “Better to wait for the tea. I only told him that because I thought you wanted a break.”

Eliana did, but she wasn’t about to admit it. “Thank you for your kindness.

While they ate, she kept close to Alessia and Shirdona. Istvan kept his distance, eating with his own men, barely acknowledging anyone else’s presence.

Eliana chewed thoughtfully. While they had been in Ymittos, Istvan had been nothing but polite and attentive. Except when he was complimentary and flirtatious. Her face heated thinking about some of the things he’d said to her and they way they made her feel.

But what was this other side of him? Was it just the pressure that made him curt and short? Or was this the real man who he’d covered up while he was courting her?

She wanted her mother more than ever. 

Alessia broke into her thoughts. “Princess, I need to find the place for necessary…”

Eliana smiled. “And when you find it, let me know. I’m feeling the need myself.”

She watched Alessia scamper off.

No sooner had the other girl vanished into the crowd when Istvan settled to sit beside Eliana. “Eliana—“

“What? Do you have more insults?”

He let out a sigh. “No, I came to apologize.”

Oh. That was unexpected. Pleasant, but unexpected. “I’m listening.”

“I was rude earlier. Your instinct for seeking advice is a good one. And who better but your parents to advise you? Unless…” He paused, then gently took her hand in his. “Unless it’s a man who loves you and only wants the best for you. I admit, my pride was stung that you didn’t seem to value what I had to say.”

“This is all so confusing…”

“Yes, it is. Breaking the curse will be more complicated than we thought. I know it’s put me in a bad temper.” He clasped her hand between both of his. “Can you forgive me?”

His admission made her anger fade. “Yes, of course.” She savored the feeling of his warm hands on hers. “I think we’re all tired. Maybe we should sleep on it. Things might look different in the morning.”

“I agree.” The first thing she’d do would be to seek out Dimitris, lay the story in front of him, and then make a decision.

Alessia strode over. “Eliana, Shirdona says we can sleep with her and her daughter.”

Eliana got to her feet. “That sounds good to me.” She squeezed Istvan’s hand. “Thank you, and good night. We’ll talk in the morning.”

She couldn’t help but notice how his fingers clung to hers, as if reluctant to let go. How she wished this Istvan was the real one.

Alessia put her arm through Eliana’s. “This way.” She led the way to an alcove in the tunnel. Four mats had been laid on the rocky floor. A fifth was off to the side.

“Where did the mats come from?” Eliana asked.

“I don’t know. That’s not important. Shirdona had him moved here.” 

“Who?” She stepped toward the fifth mat, where a man was lying, motionless. Her eyes widened. “It can’t be…”

With a few quick steps, she darted to the man’s side and fell to her knees. “Dimitris?”

He opened his eyes as if it was an effort. “Princess…”

She took his hand and gasped. It was both clammy and hot. She put a hand on his forehead. “Dimitris, you’re burning up.”