Page 100 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

I placed my hand on his. “Sometimes it is easier to sink into the roles already given to us than to fight for a new one.”

“I didn’t want to be king, Aelia. But now that I am, I want to do right by my people. To be their strength.” Tharan ran his hand anxiously through his silken hair. “And that starts with seeking justice for what the Highlands did to my beautiful forest.”

“I understand. Baylis is a better person than I’ll ever be.” I said, tracing the grains in the wood with my fingers.

Tharan raised an eyebrow at me.

“She cared about others. I only cared about myself.”

“Did you ever consider she poured herself into others to distract herself from your father’s illness? The way you poured yourself into Caiden?”

“Perhaps. She exuded perpetual confidence, effortlessly excelling in everything she pursued. As a child, she dreamed of becoming an archer. Our father arranged for her to have a teacher. In just a few years, she ascended to become the kingdom’s finest archer, capable of dispatching a rabbit without it ever suspecting a thing. Our father often had her showcase these talents at gatherings, yet Baylis never boasted.

“She held the title of the best archer in the Midlands and perhaps in all of Moriana, but she remained unwavering in her loyalty to Ammena and the Trinity, praying at the temple daily. Even when she knew our father wouldn’t recognize her, she visited him every single day.” Guilt gnawed at my heart. “I wish I possessed her level of devotion.”

“Everyone copes in their own way, Aelia.” Tharan squeezed my hand.

A lump grew in my throat. I had not thought about my father in a long time. I shook my head, trying to empty the guilt lingering there.

“So, what are you going to do when all this is over?” Tharan asked, lighting another cigarette.

I plucked out another as well, lighting it to collect myself.

“I’m going to kill Gideon. But first, I’m going to humiliate him the way he did to me. A quick death is too easy for him.” Smoke billowed into the night air.

“From traitor to king killer.” Tharan held the cigarette to his pursed lips.

I hung my head. “Do you think I’m crazy for wanting revenge?”

“No.” He smiled into the night. “I think your need for vindication is justified.. We have a common enemy. However, you can’t kill him yet. He needs to be held accountable for what he did during the Yule Revelry.”

I huffed. “And why not? I would be doing you a favor.”

Tharan blew smoke into the cool night air. “Sylph laws demand a trial. Even if the verdict will certainly be guilty.”

I knitted my brow, grabbing Tharan’s hands in desperation. “Allow me to carry out justice as I see fit.”

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “I will make the case to the Sylph Court.”

“Thank you…” I twiddled my fingers. “For everything. For being my friend.” I surveyed the forest kingdom below us. Snow-capped trees of all kinds spread out for as far as the eye could see. The magic of the ancient forest seeped into my skin, making it tingle.

Tharan leaned on the railing like he did the first night we met at the Court of Sorrows. His angular features illuminated by the moonlight reminded me of the god he was. “Your past means nothing to me, Aelia. You have shown me kindness and bravery. I am proud to call you my friend.”

I resisted hugging him. “Perhaps when this is all over, I could come back here. To be in your service.”

An arched eyebrow. “I do need advisors I can trust.”

My chest lightened at the thought of being near Tharan, protected in this forest oasis.

“But before we can get you a title, we must first bring Gideon and Erissa to justice.”

I tried not to blush. “When do we leave?”

“A few days.” He offered me his arm.

Escorting me to my room, we said our goodbyes. He kissedme on the cheek before heading off to his own chambers. “Goodnight, mystery woman.”

I couldn’t hide the smile lighting my face. This is how so many women had fallen for him.

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