Page 98 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

I wiped my nose on my tunic. “Maybe two.”

Giving me a reassuring smile, his aura radiated soothing energy, lifting the sadness from my bones.

“How are you doing this?”

“A gift from my mother’s side of the family,” he said, leading me down the winding stairs of the Alder Palace. The midday winter sun cast an ethereal light throughout the branches as craftsmen busied themselves, mending the ancient tree. “We are more alike than you know, mystery woman.”

I didn’t want him to see me like this, but somehow, I knew he would understand.

36AELIA

“You don’t haveto tell me why you were screaming your lungs out, but if you want to, I am here to listen.” Tharan handed me a hot mug of spiced cider.

I took a sip; warmth filled my chest. “It’s a long story.”

“I am nearly immortal. I have nothing but time.” He leaned back in his brown leather chair. Seated in one of the palace’s immaculate studies, books and scrolls lined the walls. A fire roared in the hearth. Yule garlands adorned every eve, filling the place with the scent of spruce and berries.

“By now, I’m sure you’ve discovered the power I possess.” My voice trembled.

Tharan nodded. “You are a telepath.”

“Yes.” I fidgeted in my chair, guilt built in my heart. “Caiden and I were…” A lump grew in my throat.

“In love.” Tharan finished my sentence for me.

“Yes. It’s a long story,” I repeated lamely.

Tharan laid a pack of cigarettes on the table between us. “We’ve got time.”

I lit one, taking a long drag before diving deep into the intricacies of my relationship with Caiden. The words flowed like ariver being released from a dam. I laughed and cried and talked until my voice went hoarse, all while Tharan nodded along, placing a supportive hand over mine.

I told him everything: the love Caiden and I shared, the way he helped me through my father’s illness, my Promised Day, and my father’s untimely death. I told him about the darker parts of my history when I was a much different person. Caiden had seen every iteration of who I was, and now he was gone.

By the time I finished my tale, fuchsia painted the dusk sky. Sleep tugged at my eyelids.

“Now you know everything.” I took a drag of my cigarette. “I am not a good person. Everything they say about me is true. I am an addict, a mercenary, a traitor who burned her kingdom to the ground.”

Tharan leaned in close to me. “I don’t think you’re a bad person, Aelia Springborn.” He sucked in a drag from his cigarette. “This life forces us into situations we never thought we’d be in. We can only move forward.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.

Tharan lifted my chin, our eyes met. “Your past is just a story, Aelia. Anytime you wish, you can start a new chapter.”

My breath caught in my throat. I saw myself reflected in Tharan’s vernal eyes. Words escaped me. Half of me wanted to melt away into nothing, and the other half wanted to kiss Tharan and never stop.

A knock at the door broke our gaze. Awkwardly, I rubbed my sweating hands on my pants.

A satyr with brown fur and ram’s horns entered the room. “Dinner is served in the dining hall, my king.”

“Thank you, Albie.” Tharan nodded. “Shall we?” Extending his hand to me once more.

“We shall,” I said, taking it.

Amolie and Sumac were waiting for us when we entered thedining room. Roasted elk, wild mushrooms, and carrots adorned the expansive oak table—an ancient text propped open in front of Amolie.

“Nice of you to join us,” Amolie said, taking a bite of meat. Tharan took his seat at the head of the table. I took one across from Amolie. Dozens of candles cast dancing shadows across the walls as we ate.

“Did you find anything in the library to break the spell on Baylis?” Tharan asked.

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