Page 5 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

“You know why I’m here, Aelia.” He cocked his head. Disdain clouded his black eyes.

I arched an eyebrow. “You can tell your lord I’m busy.” Taking another drink of liquor, I hoped it would give me the courage to face the man whose heart I shattered into a million pieces. My fingers tingled as the alcohol worked its way through my system.

“It’s serious, Aelia.” He leaned in, the scent of his beloved mint leaves heavy on his breath. “He’s found something.”

I paused; my thumbnail still wedged under my ring finger. “Bullshit.”

“Read my mind and see if I’m lying.” He tapped his temple with an immaculately manicured finger.

“I don’t work for free.” I signaled for the barkeep to pour me another drink.

Lucius caught my hand before I could down the shot, spilling some of the chestnut liquid onto the bar. “I did not travel to the end of the world to play games with you.” A muscle ticked in his jaw as he tried to contain his ire for me.

“Pity. I love games. Especially ones where I get to upset the infamous Spy Master of the Stormlands.” I ran my free hand through his long, silken hair. Exhilaration rushed through my veins at the sight of his cold eyes and pinched mouth.

“We don’t have time for this nonsense.” Lucius carried an air of intensity about him, but the fact they were here at the edge of the continent told me they found something tangible. His lord wouldn’t have traveled to the edge of the world for nothing.

I pouted my bottom lip. “But we’re having so much fun here.”

“Grow up, Aelia.”His words soaked in disdain.

“Fine,” I huffed, rolling my eyes.

He released me, and I tipped my head back, letting the dark liquor burn my throat. My head buzzed.

“He’s waiting upstairs,” Lucius said through gritted teeth.

“Lead the way.” I pulled out a cigarette to calm my nerves, making him wait until I lit it.

Lucius turned and parted the crowd. I followed him up the creaky stairs to a small suite. He knocked four times.

Pushing my hair behind my ears, I took a deep breath.

A mammoth, sylph man with umber skin and pale green eyes answered the door. The sigil of the Stormlands, a bolt of lightning striking an oak tree, embossed in his armor—Roderick Bonecleaver, general of the Court of Storm’s armies.

I strained my neck to see the room behind him, but he took up most of the doorway.

“Took you long enough,” he said to Lucius. His deep voice commanded attention.

“I told you she wouldn’t come easily,” Lucius replied, pushing his way past Roderick.

Taking a drag from my cigarette, I lingered in the curling smoke before stepping into the light cutting through the dark hallway.

“Aelia! It’s been a long time.” Roderick’s perfectly shaped lips curved into a disarming smile. My chest lightened as he squeezed me tight.

His sylph fangs gleamed like pearls in the flickering candlelight. A reminder of the creatures they were before their goddess, Illya, blessed them with her blood. Turning them into something resembling a human but with the strength of one hundred men.

“It’s nice to see you too, Roderick,” I squeaked out.

He set me down.

Lucius glowered at us.

“Let’s get this over with.” Running my fingers through myhair, I prepared to see the man who had owned my heart for nearly ten years.

“After you.” Roderick stepped aside, creating a path for me.

A mix of fear and anticipation coiled in my stomach. Part of me wanted to puke, part of me wanted to run.No, Aelia. Face your fears.I straightened and stepped into the dingy room.

---