Page 78 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

I rolled my eyes. “Who else can control the army?”

‘One who binds their blood to my bones. But you are my chosen one, Aelia.’

I relayed the message to the group, who stared at me in amazement as I held a conversation with a piece of bone.

“And who areyouexactly?” I stared at the roof of the tent, expecting something to materialize.

‘Long ago, before the Trinity, before the reign of Crom Cruach, they called me the Morrigan. Goddess of death and victory. All who sought success in war prayed to me. In the War of Three Faces, I tried to turn the tides, but he caught my deceit, scorching my body, binding my soul to these bones.’

“So, you control the Army of the Dead?”

‘When I died, my legion died. Cruach cursed them to serve him forever.’

“How did Queen Nysemia come to control you?”

‘Nysemia found me in the deepest part of the Mountains of Lenore, where I had rested for thousands of years. I saw a wayback into the world through her. She treated us fairly. But now she is dead, and I require another master.’

“And you want me to control your army?”

‘Only one who has straddled both worlds can control me.’

“What about Lucius? He’s half wraith.”

I did not want this responsibility.

‘He is of the dead, yet he has not stepped beyond the veil.’

“And what if I don’t want to be your master?”

‘Then bury me in the earth and leave my bones to rot. My army will not fight for the powers of darkness conspiring in secret.’

A bitter chill bit at my heart. “Do you know who is conspiring?”

‘I can only speak of those on this side of the veil. But there are souls here who seek to reclaim what they lost long ago in the War of Three Faces. And some have waited longer… Since the Trinity first tamed this land.’

I rubbed my temples. All I wanted was to get my sister, go home to Seaside, and disappear from the world. I needed time to think—time to sort through my feelings.

Caiden, Lucius, Roderick, and Amolie waited for my answer with bated breaths.

“I will think about it,” I said, putting the scepter back into its box.

‘Be quick, Traitorous Queen, before another finds me.’

The Morrigan quieted.

“With this power. You could rule Moriana,” Roderick said, touching the leather box.

“Nysemia had this power, and it got her killed.” I turned and threw myself on the bed, covering my face with my hands.

“But you are not Nysemia,” Caiden said, taking my hand and kneeling before me. “Become the queen you were always meantto be, Aelia. Rid this land of Gideon and the evil he carries with him before it’s too late.”

My breath hitched. “I’m not strong enough. I came here to save Baylis, which I intend to do. The dead can wait.”

“And what if she doesn’t want to be saved?” Lucius asked.

“There is no other choice, Lucius. That person I saw in the camp is not Baylis. Now, let’s make a plan.”

“Can I interject?” Amolie asked.

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