Page 40 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

I shuddered at the thought of Ramus and Remus, Erissa’s bodyguards and the architects of my worst nightmares. Twins born to a giant mother and sylph father, with the strength of a hundred men. They towered over every creature.

My hands shook, and my chest tightened at the memory of their abuse. I could leave my body while they did what they pleased with it. But the names they’d call me were forever burned into my skin. Tattoos only I could see.At least I could take solace in having made them earn every ounce of flesh they took from me.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as I bit the side of my cheek. Caiden squeezed my hand, bringing me back to reality. “Everyone needs to keep a low profile until we leave for the Court of Sorrows.”

“Did you see my sister, Lucius?”

Lucius shook his head. “I’m sorry, Aelia. No.”

I bit my lip, imagining the various forms of torture Gideon could put my sister through.

Ernie cleared his throat. “Lady Itra is here.”

Amolie and I headed into the plush parlor decorated in silver and blue with accents of gold. Itra sat in a leather armchair drinking tea. Her jovial face brightened when she saw us.

“Hello, my beauties.” She set down her cup. “I have outdone myself with your dresses.”

From a leather case sprung seven dresses, each more ornate than the next. The dresses twirled in the air as if ghosts adorned them.

“You each need to try on one. Aelia, we’ll start with yourCourt of Sorrows dress.” She kicked the leather case with her foot, and a small wooden stool and full-length mirror popped out of the bag. “Some privacy?” Itra glowered at Ernie, who clapped his hands, closing all the doors in the room.

I undressed and, with Itra’s help, donned the elegant gown. Its skirt consisted of black satin with a slit running up one side. At the same time, the top sported a design reminiscent of velvet cobwebs that crawled from my waist to my chin, leaving the skin exposed yet retaining an element of intrigue. An image of a queen stared back at me from the mirror. The memory of my reign made my stomachache. I ran my hands down my hips. Where once luscious curves could be felt, now there was nothing more than jagged bone.

Itra straightened the skirt of the dress.

“Protection enchantments are woven into the fabric. No curses should be able to penetrate it.”

“Thank you, Itra. It is beautiful.” I ran my hands over the delicate lace.

“No need to thank me. You have always been one of my favorite customers. The others and a set of wings will be delivered in a few days. In the Alder King’s court, they are required. Women go to great lengths to have the most ornate wings.”

Some said before the sylph were taken as slaves, many had wings, but the elves bred it out of them. No sylph had been born with wings for centuries.

As I returned to my everyday tunic and leathers, Itra helped Amolie into her dresses. “Since you are a witch, my dear, I went with the theme of the forests for your dresses.”

The dress hugged Amolie’s curves in all the right places. A tight bodice descended into a flowing train like the wing of a giant monarch butterfly. Amolie’s amber eyes glistened with pride at her appearance. Her long hair fell in tight curls over her bareshoulders. Itra adorned her head with a crown of enchanted butterflies, each one’s wings flapping as if they were just landing.

“You look radiant,” I said as Amolie twirled in the dress.

Her eyes brightened, and she splayed her hands in a curtsey. “I feel like it.”

“I can’t wait for Roderick to see you.” I gave her a wink. Pink flushed her cheeks. “Thanks, Itra.” I handed her a sack of gold coins. She felt the weight of the bag and nodded in gratitude.

“You are too kind to me, Lady Aelia. Anytime you need something made, whether it be a gown or a coat of armor, I hope you come to me first,” she said, finishing her tea.

“Of course.”

“If there is nothing more, I will take my leave. Good luck.” She floated out of the room with an ancient grace.

Caiden and I played cards after dinner. While Amolie worked on her potions, Roderick sharpened his sword, and Lucius studied the maps of the Court of Sorrows.

My fingers drummed the table as Caiden took his turn.

“Nervous about something?” he asked, scrutinizing his cards.

“Gideon is too close for my liking. I can feel his hands around my neck. If his power has grown, he could?—”

Caiden cut me off before I could finish. “You are protected here. Three of the finest warriors to walk Moriana sit beside you.”

---