Page 1 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

PROLOGUE

AELIA

Before

Tears stainedmy cheeks as Caiden pulled me in closer. Silver streaks of moon danced across his chiseled face. His golden hair, like a halo, illuminated piercing blue eyes.

“I don’t want to go,” I sniffled. “I don’t want to leave you.” I dug my fingers into his back, hoping to somehow convince him to take me away from here.

Music and laughter trickled in through the walls of the cabin. A reminder this was to be a happy day. The people of Elyria hadn’t seen a Promised Day celebration in decades. This was a time for them to celebrate. To rejoice in the union of two kingdoms.

“I know, Aelia. I know.” He brushed an unruly piece of my hair behind my ear. “But we knew our love was doomed before it began. A sylph and a human could never marry.”

A hot cry grew in my chest, working its way up my throat. I buried my face in Caiden’s neck, letting out a wail of pain. Primal and fierce. Our love died before it ever had a chance to live.

“I know, but I hoped?—”

His finger pressed against my lips.

“Hope is a dangerous thing. It blinds us to reality.”

Shaking, I nodded. How many times had I let hope get the better of me? I needed to grow up. I would be a queen soon, ruling over a kingdom on my own. I needed to give up these silly notions. Caiden and I were over.

“Gideon is an up-and-coming royal. He will treat you fairly. At least from the time I’ve spent in his court.”

“Promise me you’ll visit?” I asked, knowing the pain it would cause me.

Caiden kissed my forehead. “I’m not that strong, Aelia. I love you too much.”

My chest tightened. Words escaped me. There was nothing left to say besides goodbye. Tomorrow, I would be loaded into a golden carriage and whisked away to the Highlands, where my betrothed, Gideon Ironheart, waited for me. Tomorrow, I would no longer be a princess but a queen-in-waiting. Tomorrow, the life I’ve known for twenty-five years would be over.

“I don’t want to love anyone else but you.”

Caiden gently stoked my back with his callous hands. “You’ll always have a place in my heart.”

“I’m afraid you’ll forget me.”

Caiden’s chest swelled with a breath. “There’s something I have to tell you.”

Pulling myself from his embrace, I met his gaze. “What is it?”

“I promised your mother I’d protect you with my life, and I mean that. If you are in danger, real danger, send a raven to me. I will come for you.” His hand was on my face and our eyes locked.

“I love you, Caiden.”

“I love you too, Aelia.”

Our lips locked, bodies entwining for one final union.

The ride to the Highlands took ages. Alone with my thoughts, I dreamt of Caiden rescuing me, but no rescue would ever come. The smell of wheat turned into the sweet smell of pine as we climbed farther into the Highlands. Even the air here was thinner, making my head light.

Cresting over the top of the trees, a castle came into view. Spindled towers rose high into the sky, each one capped in gold. A thriving city of brick splayed out before it. The Cheyne Mountains rose like a protective shield in the distance.

I swallowed hard at the sight of my new home. Ryft’s Edge, the jewel of the Highlands.

Gideon waited for me, dressed in his finest attire, a black velvet coat with the hawk of the Highlands embroidered onto the chest. A diadem of golden leaves encircled his dark hair.

Tall and broad-shouldered, with a muscular build that only came with time in the sparring ring. I’d heard tales of his prowess in battle, and his rigid stance confirmed it.

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