Page 116 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

“No, you certainly are not.” Tharan’s eyes raked over my body.

“I don’t know what you’re imagining, but you better get your head out of the gutter until we finish the task ahead.”

“Oh, you do not want to know what I am thinking.”

Heat bloomed in my chest, and pink dappled my cheeks. “Youmen are all the same. Whether magus or human. You all think about one thing.”

“It’s hard not to when you’re dressed so… seductively.”

I looked down at the thick knitted sweater and skirt, making me look like a box. “Shut up.”

A freezing rain pelted the little cabin with all the might the Trinity had given it. Tharan held me close as we listened to the hail hammer above.

“Do you think this roof will hold?” I asked, pulling Tharan’s heavy arms tighter around me.

“It’ll be fine,” he murmured in his sleep.

“Glad someone can sleep tonight.” In Tharan’s comforting embrace, I found solace and safety. Nothing could touch me here.

Tomorrow would be a different story. Tomorrow, I would face my fears and enter the domain of my mortal enemy.The thought of facing Gideon, of seeing my gilded prison, made my brain scream for dust, but I would not feed it. I was stronger than my demons now.

Releasing a long breath, I reached for the clove cigarettes next to the bed.

Letting the smoke calm my nerves, I imagined a life where Tharan and I lived in this tiny cottage, selling apples for a living. What must it be like to live such a simple life?

‘Are you going to take me tomorrow?’the voice of the Morrigan whispered in my ear.

“Oh, you again? When are you going to leave me alone?” I whispered into the night.

‘When you prick your finger and take control of my legions.’

I blew out a smoke ring. “How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want my life force sucked out of me.”

‘You are immortal. There is unlimited life to suck.’

“I’m half sylph, and even full sylphs don’t live forever.”

‘Oh, you are much more, my dear. I know what power lies inside you. It is primordial, as mine is.’

“I’m not risking it.”

‘Tomorrow, you will enter the domain of the one they call Erissa. Long ago, I knew her by another name.’

“She’s ancient. Of course, you knew her by another name.”

‘Wouldn’t you like to know who she was before she came to the Highlands? An elven mage would never deign to serve a human king unless…’

“Unless what?”

‘Unless she was running from something.’

I arched my brow. “Alright, I’m intrigued. Go on.”

The Morrigan clicked her ghostly tongue at me. ‘Not until you prick your finger.’

“I’ll think about it.” I took another puff from the cigarette.

The Morrigan did not respond.

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