Page 110 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

Two colossal statues of halflings dressed in battle armor guarded the entrance of the Stone Kingdom. Over their heads, an inscription read:We are the wielders of Mylar’s ax. Let no rock break us. Let no stone disobey us.

“The halflings of the Stone Kingdom are a proud race,” Tharan said, urging Arion forward.

The primary city within the Stone Kingdom went by the name of Mineralia. A towering metropolis constructed into the side of the Cheyne Mountains, an impressive engineering accomplishment for any species, let alone one of such diminutive stature.

Here, halflings and humans mingled freely, linked by a treaty forged ages ago determining the stewardship of the mountain. At the city’s heart lay a vast lake formed before any creature set foot on Moriana. Some believed the Trinity themselves shaped it.

Humans and magus gathered at its shores, drawn by its renowned healing properties. Vendors peddled an array of products crafted from its healing waters, such as curative elixirs and cleansing soaps.

Tharan gave me a nudge. “Cover up. You never know who’s lurking here. Someone may recognize you.”

We slipped on our enchanted rings before entering the city, but as a precaution, I covered my face with my hood.

Tharan stopped in front of a small inn. No grandeur for us tonight. Two human farmers who were selling their wares wouldn’t have the money.Tharan enchanted a pile of leaves to look like apples.

I waited outside with Arion while Tharan secured us a room, keeping an eye out for any Highland soldiers.

A bell chimed, signaling the end of the workday. Children played and laughed in the streets as their parents returned from a long day in the mines. Their faces covered in black ash from the day’s work. In the Stone Kingdom, even women mined. They spent years learning about rocks and geology. Only the most skilled halflings were chosen. Women’s petite bodies made them ideal for mining smaller caverns.

One child ran into her mother’s outstretched arms, something I remembered from my childhood. I missed my mother. The mother I had then, not the conniving lying one who lived in the Tower of Fates.I thought of the conversation I had with Amolie. Maybe I had judged my mother too harshly. I never had time to find out her true motivations. Perhaps I would pay her a visit if I made it out of here alive.

Our modest room was furnished with one medium bed, a dresser, and a small tub.

A wind whipped through the open window, looking out at a dirty alleyway. I shivered as Tharan lit a fire in the small woodstove in the corner.

“It should be warm in just a minute,” he said, feeding logs into the hearth.

I shut the window then pulled the blankets tight around myself.

Once the fire was lit, Tharan plopped down on the bed next to me, propping himself up on an elbow.

“Nervous?” he asked.

I ran my hands through my hair. “About tomorrow? Who wouldn’t be a little anxious about returning to a place where you were tortured and turned into a magical creature who can read minds?”

“I’ll be with you the whole time, Aelia.” He placed a reassuring hand on my thigh.

I rubbed my palm with my thumb. “I hoped I’d never have to return to the Highlands. A fool’s hope.”

“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I can take the blood. You can tell me where to go telepathically.”

I held the vial of Baylis’s blood, rubbing my fingers over the smooth glass. “No, I need to do this. For Baylis. And besides, my telepathy doesn’t reach that far.”

Tharan brushed a lock of hair out of my face. “Your bravery is admirable.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve got a lot of cowardice I need to make amends for.”

Part of me had died in Ryft’s Edge. I didn’t notice it at first, but over time it became clearer. Emotions were muted. The beauty of the world had faded. I wanted the piece Gideon tookfrom me back, and if that meant spilling blood, then I would drain every living soul in the Highlands.

“Don’t do it,” Tharan said as if reading my mind.

I gave him an innocent look. “What?”

“Don’t even think about killing Gideon.”

My mouth fell open. “How did you?—”

“You forget—I once murdered my lover in cold blood in front of the entire court of the Woodland Realm. It will not give you the peace you seek.” He placed his hand over his heart. “Peace is here. Within yourself.”

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