Page 72 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

“It’s about Baylis.” Caiden crouched down, taking Aelia’s hand in his. Her hazel eyes frantically searching for an explanation.

“Is…” Trembling hands twisted with apprehension. “Is she dead?”

Caiden’s mouth tightened into a straight line. He nervously ran his hand through his thick hair. “No, she is alive, and she is healthy.”

Her shoulders relaxed. “Oh, thank the Trinity.” Aelia held her hand over her heart.

“It’s just…” Words escaped him.

Lucious said what Caiden could not. “It’s just she’s working with Gideon. She may be in love with him.”

Aelia blinked at the men. “That is not true. She wouldn’t.”

“I saw it myself, Aelia.” A lump formed in Caiden’s throat. “She is not their prisoner.”

Aelia covered her face in her hands, taking in the moment.

They sat in silence as she mulled over the information.

When enough time had passed, Caiden touched her shoulder.

Lifting her head from her hands, her nostrils flared, a defiant look reflecting in her gold-flecked eyes. “Show me.”

28AELIA

I didn’t wantto believe Caiden.

Baylis had never been foolish. She always led with her head over her heart. There had to be a reason for her to work with Gideon.

Caiden led our party through the pristine woods down to the river, where Gideon and his men were camped.

Night blanketed the forest. Fires and dim lamps lit the basic tents. Smoke billowed from fires where men sat huddled next to one another, trying to escape the cold.

We found a covered spot on a hill overlooking the camp, laying our bodies in the cold snow to evade detection.

“She’s down there,” Lucius said, pointing to the ornate tent Gideon and Erissa occupied.

Amolie handed me a pair of binoculars, and I crouched under a log to get a better look.

Erissa’s bodyguards, Remus and Ramus, stood outside the tent, their muscles taut against their shirts. Their faces red, not from the cold but from the sheer number of bulls’ testicles they consumed. I looked around for Baylis, hoping to see her silhouettethrough the tent. There were three figures, but nothing identified her.

“I need to go down there,” I said, pushing myself out of the snow.

“No,” Caiden said firmly.

“I’ll wait until everyone is asleep.”

“No,” he whisper-yelled at me.

“You know you can’t stop me, Caiden. You know I will do this, with or without your permission.” Fire roiled in my veins.

A look of resignation crossed Caiden’s chiseled face. “At least let us provide cover. We have a good view from up here. Use your telepathy to talk to me.”

I mulled over his proposition for a moment. “Fine.”

We huddled together for warmth until the camp quieted and the men returned to their tents.

On silent feet, I snuck down the hill to the camp, wedging myself between two supply carts for cover. The smell of mud and livestock brought an acrid taste to my mouth. Gideon’s tent stood directly before me.

---