Page 50 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

Tharan barred the door.

We rounded the corner to find Caiden crouched over the dead queen. Blood covered his hands.

“I couldn’t save her.”

19AELIA

“What did you do?”Tharan yelled.

“I didn’t do anything. I found her like this.” Caiden waved his bloody hands in the air.

“Sure, a Council Court comes to a Wild Court after decades, and it just so happens that an attack occurs?” Tharan held his blade to Caiden’s neck. “Were you planning this?”

Nysemia stirred, reaching a bloody hand “My army… take it before he does…”

The golden snake uncoiled itself from around her neck and slithered up her palm where it transformed into a golden key.

Caiden’s eyes flitted between Nysemia and Tharan. “See, I told you.”

“She’s talking about Gideon,” I said, snatching the key from her hand. “What is this about?”

Tharan lowered his weapon. The men exchanged knowing glances.

Goblins beat against the door. “Tell me what this is about right now!”

Caiden reached for the key, but I yanked it away.

“Tell me or I’ll take it…”

Caiden’s mouth twisted into a straight line. “Nysemia controls an army of ten thousand undead soldiers.”

My jaw fell open. “You didn’t think this might be something I’d want to know?”

“You didn’t need to know, Aelia.”

Hurt tugged at my heart. I thought Caiden trusted me more. Perhaps I was as foolish as they all said.

“Give me the key, Aelia.” Caiden held out his hand.

I gently placed it in his palm.

“Let’s go.”

“You think I’m going to let you take control of the world’s most powerful army?” Tharan twisted his blade in his hand.

“We can debate who has control of the army later, but right now we need to make sure it stays out of Gideon’s hands.”

Tharan lowered his weapon. “Fine.”

We hurried up the empty corridors to the royal wing leading to Nysemia’s study. Where a painting of the queen holding a skull hung over an ornate fireplace, her vibrant white hair and purple skin radiated with life. A vision of her crumpled body flashed before my eyes.

“Is this it?” Caiden stood in front of a glass case containing a scepter made of bone and the skull of a crow, resting on a satin pillow.

“No.” Lucius caught Caiden’s hand before he could touch the glass. “That’s a decoy.” He pointed to the painting. “The real one is behind her.”

Tharan stood with his arms crossed, staring intently at the queen.

Caiden inserted the golden key into the steel safe.

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