Page 80 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

“Did he put you under a spell when…” She grimaced.

Gideon excelled in manipulation. Even before our minds became entwined, he understood my thoughts—discerning my emotions from my body language and anticipating them before I felt them.

Endearing at first, I quickly learned how dark love could get. The manipulation started subtly, placing doubt in my mind over minor things, planting false memories, and using my father’s illness to make me question my sanity.

Seeds of doubt sprouted in my mind. Over time, he picked away at me, piece by piece, as if I were a painting he wanted to change.

I transformed into a specter of my past self, overly willing to fulfill his desires. He became the focal point of my existence, encompassing my entire world. Every breath I drew was dedicated to him. Consequently, I complied without hesitation when he requested me to betray my kingdom. I would have sacrificed my life for him had he commanded it.

“No,” I said, taking Amolie’s hand. “But that doesn’t mean she won’t need help.”

Amolie gave me a reassuring smile. “I can brew a clarity potion.”

Rubbing my thumbs in circles on her silken hands, I gave her a reassuring smile. “You are the smartest person I know. I wish I had some way of thanking you.”

“Promise me you won’t lose yourself in the darkness again,”she said, squeezing my hand.“I don’t know if I could bear to watch you slowly kill yourself again.”

I let out a long breath. “I’m sorry, Amolie. I shouldn’t have asked you to aid in my self-destruction.”

“I did it willingly. Better to have you half alive than dead.”

I gave her a smirk. “Still. I will not ask it of you again.”

“I am worried, Aelia. Worried about you and Caiden. Worried when the time comes for you to erase his mind, you will disintegrate along with the memories.”

I feared that too—feared I could not do what the bargain demanded of me. Feared I would float away with every memory I erased.

“I’ll be fine.” Clearing my throat. “Keep the whole scepter soul-sucking thing to yourself for now, will you, Am? I don’t want Caiden to worry.”

“If that’s what you want.” She raised her mug to me as I left.

Caiden brought two attendants from his court to help us prepare for the ball.

I winced as the attendant pulled my hair into an intricate braid, entwining fresh flowers into the strands. The sheer dress I wore left little to the imagination. In a Sylph Court, such attire would hardly draw attention; beings adorned solely in wings and sparkles were the norm. Unlike them, I lacked a fondness for exhibitionism, choosing instead to complement my outfit with a shawl crafted from the fur of a white rabbit.

The wings Itra fashioned for us hung heavy on our backs.

Placing a diadem on my head, I peered at myself in the mirror, baring my fangs. A creature of the blood stared back at me.

“You look stunning.” Caiden’s reassuring voice wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

“Thank you. I have never worn something so…”

“So, sylph?”

He wore a velvet doublet with streaks of lightning intricately embroidered into the fabric. A lengthy navy cape lined with wolf fur flowed down his back. Impeccably styled hair and a crown of silver lightning adorned his head.

“No wings?” I gave him a chiding smile. Wings were reserved for the women of the sylph courts.

“Not tonight.” He kissed my gloved hand.

It felt peculiar to have a layer of silk separating me from the world. Nevertheless, his lips touching my hand sent a rush of excitement through my veins.

“We better get going. We don’t want to be late for the Alder King.”

“Just a moment.” I pulled him in for a kiss. His body tensed and then relaxed under my grip.

His mouth agape, he blinked furiously at me. “What was that for?”

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