Page 26 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

Our love burned and died like a candle being lit and blown out—a life forever out of our reach.We savored the night. Our fates were sealed before our lips ever touched.

“What are you two doing?” Amolie’s face turned to a grimace as we made a promise bound by magic older than the world itself.

Caiden pulled me in closer, gripping my hand. “One more thing.”

My eyes widened.

“You will get off the dust.”

“It’s medicinal,” I spat back.

“Aelia, please…” His eyes were as hard as stone.

I swallowed hard. For five years, it had been my crutch, a way to erase the pain and guilt tearing me apart inside.

Caiden saw the hesitance in my eyes. “I will help you, Aelia, if you care to remember. I, too, was addicted to drowning my sorrows.”

“It’s not the same,” I said. But our hands were locked. The magic bound me to the promise.

“I’ll help, too,” Amolie said, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder—a knot twisted in my chest. I didn’t want to let go, but I had no choice.

“Fine, but with one caveat. Once I am erased from your memory, I will no longer be bound to the bargain.”

“Deal. I won’t be around to watch you kill yourself.”

The taste of copper filled my mouth as magic swirled around us, binding our words. We were playing a dangerous game. Magic demanded balance, and it took its payment one way or another.

9AELIA

Lucius and Roderickwent fishing in the river while Amolie spread salt around our encampment—enough to deter any kelpie or nixie lurking in the river nearby.

“We’ll have to go to Ruska to get clothes for our dinner with Queen Nysemia,” Caiden said, throwing a log on the fire. “Even Wild Courts have a high level of decorum.”

“Do you think Gideon will follow us there?” I asked. My head throbbed both from the poison of the ash arrow and my body’s need for dust. A rough night awaited me. Already, a clammy sweat dampened my brow. Despite the advanced healing the sylph blood coursing through my veins offered, withdrawal from dust would take days.

Caiden scoffed. “Queen Nysemia hates humans. She would not make a treaty with one. Especially one who gained his powers from drinking the blood of the sylph.”

“Then I’m sure she’s going toloveme.” I pressed my hand to my heart.

“We’ll discuss it when we get to Ruska.” He looked around the darkened wood. “You never know who or what is listening out here. Nysemia could have spies in the trees.”

Roderick and Lucius returned with a rack of fish for our dinners.

“And what if we get caught?”I swallowed the dread blooming in my stomach.

“Not an option,” Caiden said, skewering the fish so they could be cooked over the fire.

“Wonderful.” I tightened my cloak around me. Night closed in on us.

“You two will need dresses for the Alder King’s ball. Multiple. You know how the sylph love pomp and circumstance.”

I rolled my eyes. I had been to enough diplomatic dinners to know how much the sylph loved a show. Their balls were elaborate, their food enchanted with spells to make you giddy for days. Before the Treaty of Kings, the sylph had considered humans a necessary nuisance. We were good enough to grow the food they ate but not for much else.

Roderick handed me a cooked fish. Its flakey flesh melted in my mouth. My hands shook from the withdrawal as I picked the bones clean. I hoped to keep it down long enough to nourish my healing body.

“Have you discovered who the emissary will be at the ball, Lucius?” He probably hadn’t, but I needed a distraction.

“I sent a raven when we reached Oakton. I am hopeful to hear something back soon.”

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