Page 32 of A Curse of Breath and Blood (The Mind Breaker #1)

31 AELIA

The Alder Palace proved overwhelming up close. Despite being winter, flowered vines wrapped their way up the trunk of the massive tree. The fragrance of blooming flowers wafted through the air, enveloping the palace in an intoxicating blend of sweet, natural perfume. Birds called to one another from extended limbs. A waterfall cascaded gracefully down the side of the ancient tree, sparkling like jewels in the winter sun. Degloving my hand, I let the cool water calm my racing heart.

Creatures of every race and creed waited to be ushered into the great hall for an audience with the Alder King.

Amolie elbowed me in the ribs. “Centaurs, look, actual centaurs.” She bit her nails, trying to contain her excitement.

A herd of centaurs waited to be announced, swishing their tails back and forth. Their human halves adorned with intricately designed leather armor. A blanket of woven snowflakes covered their horse halves. Legendary warriors, they kept to their own.

Behind the centaurs waited the halflings—short creatures, no taller than a child, with pointed ears and round faces. The southern halflings were known for their ability to mine the most precious jewels, and the northern halflings were considered the finest brewers of ale in Moriana.

I searched the crowd for Gideon and Baylis but could not find them. My heart pulsed with anticipation. Breathe, Aelia, just breathe. Everything will be fine.

A courtier called our name. “Lord Caiden Stormweaver of the Court of Storms.”

We entered the great hall. Garlands of flowers hung from the wooden rafters. The smell of fresh-cut wood cloaked everything. Sylph, fairies, and other creatures crowded the throne room. Some watched the procession and whispered to one another, while others dined on elk hearts and cake. At the far corner of the room, men held their mouths open while naked women drowned them in enchanted wine. The red liquid spilled out of their mouths and over their chests, but still, they begged for more. In the distance, a lute played.

Caiden and I led the way, followed by Amolie and Roderick. Eyes watched us as we descended the petal-covered aisle toward the dais, where the Alder King perched above his court.

“Don’t look at him until he addresses us,” Caiden had warned us on the ride over.

I stared at my feet, watching my glass shoes smash the fresh petals, releasing their sweet aromas.

Reaching the dais, we fell to our knees, honoring the Alder King.

“Rise,” a voice older than time proclaimed from high above.

Alder King: an ancient creature whose existence predated the sylphs. Skin like weathered leather stretched over a refined bone. Atop his silver mane rested a crown crafted of golden antlers. His serene white eyes locked onto mine, captivating me with his merciless stare as he lazily tapped his throne with long, clawed fingers.

Next to him, Tharan sat wearing a kelly green velvet vest embroidered with golden trees. His wine-red hair brushed to a lustrous sheen. A bored expression splashed upon his elegant face.

His sister, Briar, sat poised opposite her brother. Her dark hair cascaded onto the dais: a pale woman, half of her face replaced by decaying wood. A faint light flickered where an eye should have been. She did not acknowledge my presence.

“Your court has not visited for an age.” The king stared at Caiden.

Caiden cleared his throat. “My king, I know our kingdoms have a rocky history, but let us come together to celebrate the solstice and the dawning of a new year.”

The ancient kind nodded approvingly. “Allies are always a good thing.”

“They are indeed. Let me present to you a token of our friendship.” Caiden mustered lightning between his hands, pulling and manipulating it into a long wand. The Hunt aimed their spears at Caiden but lowered them at the king’s behest. Twisting and turning, Caiden shaped the lightning into a staff. With one final flick of his finger, the lightning hardened.

“For you, Lord of the Forest, a staff of pure lightning.”

The king’s stoic demeanor lightened to one of joy. “I’ve always envied the Stormweaver line. Illya favored your line.”

“You are more powerful than any Stormweaver could ever hope to be, my lord,” Caiden said, presenting the staff to the Alder King.

“Thank you,” he said, twirling the staff.

A courtier motioned for us to leave.

We hurried to an alcove, scanning the room for any signs of Gideon.

I released the breath I had been holding in. “He’s intimidating. ”

Caiden slid a reassuring arm around my shoulders. “Would you expect anything less from an ancient god?”

“I guess you’re right.”

He twirled his index finger in a circle. “Alright, everyone, spread out. You know what you must do.”

We dispersed, each carrying a tiny smoke bomb in our pockets. A familiar silhouette appeared as I climbed the wooden stairs to the balcony. Ursula. I’d recognize the curve of her body anywhere. Her fish-like face lit up at the sight of me.

“Glad to see you made it out of that shithole town in one piece.” She kissed me on the cheek.

“You’re looking lovely, as usual.” I meant it. With blue hair pinned back in waves and a dress of woven scales, I couldn’t help but put my hands on her waist.

“Care for some bubbles?” She handed me a flute of sparkling wine.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the flute from her and downing it in one gulp.

“Someone’s thirsty,” she said, giving me a wink.

My eyes darted around the room, looking for any sign of Gideon, Erissa, or Baylis, but found nothing.

I leaned over the polished balcony. The false wings were heavy on my back, straining my core. I watched Tharan presiding over the line of kingdoms, who had yet to pay homage to the king. His playful demeanor replaced by a regal one.

“Care to tell me what you’re doing here, Springborn? Council Courts don’t attend Wild Court revelries.” She slid her arm around my waist. “This dress looks beautiful on you,” she whispered into my ear, her breath on my skin, pricking the hair on the back of my neck.

“Thank you.” My cheeks flushed. From across the balcony, Caiden gave me a warning look.

I rolled my eyes at him, removing Ursula’s arm .

Ursula frowned. “This is a job, isn’t it?”

I studied my nails. “Everything is a job, Ursula.”

She ran her pearlescent hand down the side of my face. “Even on a holiday?”

“Mercenaries don’t take holidays.”

She leaned closer, the smell of wine heavy on her breath. “What about a break?”

“I think that could be arranged.”

She pulled me in for a kiss.

I leaned into her, savoring the briny taste of her lips.

Remember why you’re here, Aelia. Reluctantly, I pushed her away.

“You’re no fun.” She pouted. “Come and find me when you’re ready to party.” She kissed my cheek before disappearing into the revelry.

I shed the pair of heavy wings, stashing them in a closet, then returned to the balcony, where Caiden waited for me. “Everything alright?”

“Just old friends catching up.” I pulled him in close, kissing his ear, dropping the smoke bomb in a nearby plant.

“Clever.”His hands gripped my waist, igniting a fire in my chest.

I clicked my tongue. “Don’t get distracted, Lord.”

We waltzed around the great hall, keeping our eyes peeled for any sign of Gideon. A string band played. Creatures, already drunk on honey wine, danced seductively. A small satyr offered a tray of cubed elk hearts on gold toothpicks.

“No, thank you,” I said, waving him off.

The dancers moved into a more formal line, preparing for the traditional sylph waltz.

“Would you like to dance?” Caiden extended his hand, leading me toward the dance floor.

“Just like old times,” I said with a smile .

We took our places in the line, bowing to one another, before joining hands, bringing me back to when we danced together at the Ostara Ball in Elyria. A lifetime ago.

Caiden and I had stirred up quite a commotion. It was customary for a princess of the Midlands to dance with potential suitors during Ostara. However, in my eyes, no other person existed in the world but Caiden. We danced until our feet throbbed with exhaustion. I wore a bloodred satin dress, my head crowned with a wreath of roses. Caiden sported an outfit of white and gold, highlighting his golden locks.

My heart ached at the memory. The world seemed so simple then.

I gave my body to Caiden that night, letting him teach me the ways of love. Our bodies entwined, sweat dripping from every pore as rain pelted the glass-roofed cottage.

The world disappeared around us as memories of lustful youth danced in my head.

The music changed, and we switched partners. To my surprise, Tharan waited with an outstretched hand.

“Hello, Lord of Nothing.”I gave him a coy smile.

“Hello, Traitorous Queen.” His hand around my waist made me weak in the knees. “That’s quite the dress you have on.”

“I’m surprised a sylph would bat an eye at such a thing.”

He twirled me. My dress sparkled in the firelight like the sun glinting off a thousand diamonds.

“I can still admire you,” he said, bringing me in so close I could smell the pine on his skin.

I blushed. “Thank you for saving me the other day.”

“It was nothing. No guest of the Alder King will be harmed while in his domain.”His hand on the small of my back hitched the breath in my lungs.

I stared into his eyes. I could not help but be drawn to him. He looked at me in a way few had .

I swallowed the lust blooming in my chest. “Do you know if Gideon is here?”

Tharan shook his head. “No, but not all courts will come on the first night. There are smaller balls taking place throughout the kingdom. Many people attend multiple gatherings in one night. This one is very formal. The others are… more debaucherous.”

I nodded as if I understood.

Tharan leaned in close, making the hairs on the back of my neck perk up. “I am glad to see you, Aelia of the Midlands.” His sultry voice made my mouth dry.

The music changed once again, and we parted ways.