Page 64 of The Bones of the Cursed

I saw a ring just like that in the foyer of the castle, right on the king’s little finger.

If Iclas needed a sacrifice to permanently open a portal in thehopes one day Paliri would come, who better to sacrifice than the one he blamed the most?

Paliri’s father.

The Fae King who ruled centuries ago, who thought bloodlines were more important than Fate.

The last thing I want to do is crawl down there to cuddle with an ancient skeleton, but I’m not sure I have another choice. I won’t let the ones I love walk into danger, and I will not leave Elion to suffer.

Love.

Do I love Malakai and Kailu?

I inhale deeply, letting the truth wash over me. Yes. I think I knew it that day Mal held me by the stream as I wept in his arms. Kailu was different, my love for him sneaking up on me. I only knew I loved him when I no longer had him, the loss ripping my heart open.

With one last look around the meadow, I throw my legs over the side and jump.

I expect to land on the ground next to the dead king. Instead, I fall into darkness.

- MALAKAI -

She’s gone. I knew it the second my eyes opened.

I couldn’t smell her. Couldn’t hear her.

I could still feel her, though.

From the second I locked eyes with her, my senses—or maybe my subconscious—has always been keenly aware of her presence.

I race down the stairs of my house, my only thought being to find her. I’m not even looking where I’m running, so I’m forced to skid to a stop before plowing over the person standing at thebottom.

“Kailu? What are you doing here?”

His face is pale. “Something felt off after I left Levi with Siveral. When I couldn’t find you both at the castle, I checked the stables. Her brother’s horse is gone.”

Fear courses through my blood. “Alanis isn’t here. I can’t find her.”

I didn’t think it possible, but Kailu pales further. “You don’t think she left to find her brother on her own, do you?”

“I think that’s exactly what she did.” I shove past him for the mudroom off the kitchen to find my weapons in the safe under the floorboards, but my eyes catching on a piece of parchment. I scramble for it, as if it might vanish before I can pick it up.

Malakai,

If you’re reading this, I’ll be long gone. (Well, if everything goes to plan.) The journal I found in that box gave me a clue, and I plan on following my instinct. I want a future filled with peace, happiness, and so much love. But Malakai, that future can’t happen if the realm is in turmoil. And I refuse to leave my brother to suffer any longer.

I’ve gone to the Golden Vale. Aeros will be there waiting. Please find him and care for him. I wish I would have had more time with you and Kailu, but I will do everything I can to make it back.

My entire life I have wanted to be the one who someone chose. Other than my parents who adopted me, no one has ever picked me. Something or someone else is always more important. I am atpeace knowing that our souls picked each other. That not only do I have one amazing male who chose me, but two.

I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Please forgive me.

Yours,

A

PS: Kailu, I know you will be mad and call me stubborn, but that’s nothing new. I know I’ve thanked you before, but I will again. Thank you for allowing me to help find my brother. Thank you for doing everything in your power to help me. More than anything, thank you for always being a calming presence for me. Even if you’re a pain in my ass sometimes.

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