Page 75 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

I fumbled in the snow for my dagger while I tried to reach into Gideon’s mind, but he built a wall, blocking me.

“Looking for this?” He held up the dagger so its iridescent blade shone in the moonlight. “Perhaps you like a scar to match the one you’re hiding with a glamour.”

I choked on the taste of sand. What other experiments had he been doing on himself to give him this kind of ability?

The sounds of swords clattered behind me as Caiden, Roderick, and Lucius sparred with Gideon’s men.

Gideon jerked his head in an unnatural motion. “Ah, your lover. Always the valiant knight.”

Delight gleamed in his black eyes. He loved making me squirm. My breaths were shallow now, my vision going in and out. I barely noticed when he scraped the dagger over my cheek.

“Get it over with,” I said, clenching my jaw.

He kissed my cheek before whispering in my ear, “There is no fun in killing you. I want you to worship me like you do that filthy sylph prince.”

A primal fear built in my chest, but I pushed it aside. “You’ll never be him.”

A horn sounded in the distance. The men stopped fighting, and Gideon released my neck as three riders on wolves the size of horses approached.

I hit the snow, gasping for air.

“In the name of the Alder King, we command you to cease,” a deep feminine voice said.

The riders dressed in the same black and gold armor as the ones who delivered the invitation. Rows of teeth woven together in intricate designs hung around their necks while their fists coiled around tungsten spears.

These were no ordinary soldiers of the Woodland Realm. These were three riders of the Wild Hunt. Their mere presence made my breath hitch in my throat.

“I was just having a simple conversation with my wife.” Gideon dropped my dagger into the snow.

“This woman is a guest of Lord Tharan Greenblade, Prince of the Woodlands. She is not to be harmed.” The wolves pawed at the snow. One of them snarled at Gideon. “Touch her again, and we will banish you from this court.” The female soldier’s voice radiated confidence. Gideon did not scare her.

Nostrils flared, Gideon burned with hatred. No one told him what to do. He fiddled nervously with his belt as the wheels turned in his head. He had no power here, and he knew it. “Fine, she’s free to go.” He threw up his hands.

The warrior extended an armored hand to me, pulling me onto the back of the dire wolf.

“We will escort you and your comrades back to your camp. Do not let us catch you fighting again.”

I nodded, clasping my hands around the female’s waist. The others climbed onto the backs of the other wolves.

We rode, swift as shadows, through the forest until we reached our tent.

“If you need medical attention, Lord Tharan has a healer we can send for,” the soldier said as I slid off the back of her wolf.

“It’s okay.” I motioned to Amolie, who stared enamored at the giant wolves.

“Very well. Goodnight.” The trio turned and disappeared into the night.

We all stood silent for a moment, trying to make sense of everything.

“I need a drink,” Roderick said, heading toward Caiden’s tent. “Anyone else?”

A screeching noise brought me to my knees before I could enter the tent.

‘You may think you are safe with your prince and your protectors, but I will always be able to reach you here.’Gideon’s voice bore into my head like a hot knife.

Get out of my head!

I pulled myself into the tent.

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