Page 65 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

His eyes darted back and forth across the parchment. “Excellent.”

“Good work, Springborn,” Lucius said.

“And you all thought I couldn’t be charming.” A satisfied smile crossed my lips.

“Well, given your past, you could see how we would have reservations…” Caiden said.

I needed fresh air and some time to think. Arion had been cooped up in the stable for too long and would also want a run.

“Amolie, do you want to go for a ride with me?” I asked as I buttoned my wool cloak.

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” she said, grabbing her cloak.

The streets of Ruska bustled with people gathering supplies for their own Yule celebrations. As one of the few holidays celebrated throughout Moriana, the merchants usually made a killing.

Arion bobbed his head up and down in excitement when he saw me.

“Hello, boy, I’ve missed you.” I ran a gloved hand down his muscular neck, taking in his distinct smell.

He mouthed my hands, looking for treats.

“Okay, here you go.” I flattened my palm, placing a carrot on it.

Arion lovingly nibbled it.

The stiff leather saddle sent a chill through my bones, but I needed to escape.

The Tower of Fate loomed behind us as we made our way to the open fields.

“I can’t believe your mother is in there,” Amolie said, staring at the twisted stone tower rising into the heavens.

“It’s her prison.” I didn’t look back—I couldn’t.

“Don’t you wonder about her at all, Aelia?” Amolie rode beside me.

I bit my nail. “I wonder why she allowed me to be sent to my own personal hell.”

“At least she’s alive, Aelia.”

My chest tightened. Amolie’s mother had been burned alive by Gideon’s father during the witch hunts twenty years ago.

“I’m sorry.”

Those stupid words again.

Amolie waved me off. “Those things can’t hurt me anymore. I couldn’t have saved my mother.”

“Still. I should not have been so thoughtless with my words.”

“It’s fine.”

The horses plodded along happily through the snow.

“I’m afraid to see Gideon again,” I said. My words were shaky like my nerves.

“I would be too. He’s so charming. I wonder how long he’d been courting her.”

“It doesn’t take long to fall for him. He’s great at love-dumping.” I fought the memories of our sweet beginning rising to the surface. He swept me off my feet like no one had before, showering me with affection, making me believe he was my soul’s mate.

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