Page 45 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

I huffed in annoyance.So, what’s the plan?

Caiden looked around for prying eyes. “We need to split up. Aelia—go find Tharan. Amolie and Roderick will stay at the party and watch out for Nysemia and Gideon, while Lucius and I try to find the scepter before Gideon does.”

“Do you know where it is?” I asked.

“Likely in her study or her bed chambers,” Lucius said definitively.

“And what if she’s in either one with Gideon?”

“I’m part wraith, stealth is my specialty.” He snapped his fingers and transformed into a ghostly figure.

I bit my lip. “Fine.”

We each headed in a different direction.

I grabbed a goblet of wine and headed toward the balcony, hoping to calm my nerves with a cigarette.

The moon shown over the acrid bog, the stench of sulfur wafted up on a chilly breeze. I lit a cigarette, letting the smoke burn away the tension in my chest.

Palms flat against the cold stone railing, I craned my neck, hoping to glimpse a famed creature of the swamp.

“Don’t jump,” a voice as smooth as velvet said.

I whirled around to see a tall man with hair the color of mulled wine standing behind me, lighting a cigarette. Tharan Greenblade had come to me.

“Do you mind if I join you? These revelries can be painfully dull.” He took a drag.

“Be my guest.” I motioned to a place next to me on the balcony.

“I haven’t seen you at one of these before. Who are you here with?” He leaned his body against the railing, looking up at the stars. He wore a fine green satin vest with golden embroidery, a white tunic underneath, and leather pants. His side bore a curved sword.

“I’m here with Lord Stormweaver,” I said, examining the stranger.

Smoke billowed into the night air, forming a haze around us.

“Oh, since when does a Council Court deign to dine with the likes of the Wild Courts?”

I tapped the ash of my cigarette on the railing. “I guess times are changing.”

“Perhaps.” He took another drag. “But you still didn’t tell me who you are.”

My mind fizzled and popped. His presence unnerved me in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. I wanted to touch him—to feel his lips on mine. “Aelia,” I blurted out.

A smile tugged at the corners of his lush lips, revealing two sharp fangs. “Pleasure to meet you, Aelia. I’m Tharan.”

My cheeks flushed, and attraction tingled in my chest.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I extended my hand as was customary.

Tharan leaned down, laying his lips gently upon my soft skin. My breath hitched in my throat at his touch. “The pleasure is all mine.”

We stared awkwardly at each other for a moment. My eyes followed the jagged scar across his face. I envied his confidence.

“So, are you with Lord Stormweaver?”

“With him as in his lover?” I asked, arching a brow.

Tharan nodded.

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