Page 42 of A Curse of Breath and Blood (The Mind Breaker #1)

41 AELIA

Rolling over, I found only hollowness next to me. A note next to the bed read:

Went to get breakfast. Be back soon.

I sighed, pulling the covers tighter around myself. The fire died during the night, and cold crept in through every crevasse.

The steps outside our door groaned as Tharan made his way up.

Wrenching myself from the warmth of the bed, I pulled on a warm knitted sweater with wooden buttons over a thick wool skirt. I looked drab and human.

Tharan pushed open the door and handed me a plate of oatmeal with apples and cinnamon.

“It was all they had,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. He donned a plain knitted sweater paired with well-worn trousers and knee-high boots.

Finishing his breakfast, he set it back on the little tray. “Are you ready to go? I overheard some humans talking in the pub. Gideon added more checkpoints along the Ryft after the attack on the Woodlands, which he claimed was in relation to a sylph prince stealing his wife.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I wonder if he meant you or Caiden?”

Tharan threw up his hands. “Does it matter? He’s planting seeds to justify a war. If his allies believe him, his actions would be justified. He’s already proved himself a hero in the Court of Sorrows.”

My breath hitched in my throat. Of course, Gideon would use me as an excuse to wage war on Moriana.

Tharan put his hand on mine. “It’ll be okay. We will free Baylis’s soul, and then we will deal with Gideon’s lies.”

I tightened my mouth into a straight line. “You’re right. We need to focus on the task at hand.”

Tharan squeezed my hand, pulling me off the bed.“That’s the spirit.”

The trip across the Ryft took the better part of a day.

The first half would be easy. Gnomes didn’t care who crossed. They needed the trade.

Meanwhile, the Highlands strictly controlled who entered and exited their half of the Ryft.Gideon monitored how many magi were in the Highlands—any magus needed documentation on the reason for their visit, signed by a magistrate of their kingdom. I prayed we looked human enough to pass, and I wouldn’t have to use my telepathy. Using magic made humans taste copper. They would know we were magus.

I sharpened my blade as Arion trotted along the snow-covered path.

“Where did you get that dagger?” Tharan eyed the iridescent blade.

I hid the blade, realizing it might make Tharan uncomfortable .

“It’s okay,” he said, laying a hand on my arm. “The blade nor the wielder are the true cause of my father’s death.”

I turned the dagger over in my hands. Its iridescent hilt sparkled in the sunlight. “Caiden gave it to me as an Ostara gift. He said it would keep me safe.”

“Such an item would cost a fortune. Dragons haven’t existed in Moriana for hundreds of years.”

I ran my finger over the smooth blade. “He loved me.”

Silence filled the space between us.

The highway bustled with activity as numerous magi and humans traversed it in both directions.

“Not far until we hit the midway point.” Tharan nodded to the path ahead.

A skeletal hand clutched my heart, and my body went stiff just thinking about seeing the soldiers again. Everything will be fine; you will be fine.

“It’ll be fine,” Tharan said, echoing my thoughts and giving my leg a comforting pat. “I’ll be with you the entire time.”

I ran my hands nervously over my skirt. “Let’s get this over with.”

At the first checkpoint, soldiers inspected our goods. Four guards stood around a fire waiting while two others checked the carts. Tharan maneuvered Arion into the inspection line.

Eying the soldiers around the fire, I looked for anyone I recognized. All fresh-faced—Ryft duty was reserved for the green and gray.

The weight perched on my chest lifted a little. These boys wouldn’t know my face.

“State your business,” the young officer said, not looking up from his list.

Tharan cleared his throat. “We are humble farmers traveling from Applewood to sell our delicious apples.”

The soldier lifted his head; we piqued his interest. “Applewood? I have a cousin who lives there. Do you know Shelby Thomas?”

My heart leapt into my throat.

Tharan gave the man a rakish grin. “No, my boy, but we live far from town on a small farm.”

“Really? I thought everyone knew him. His family owns the largest apple farm in the region.”

Shit .

The boy examined us, tapping his quill on the parchment. “Do you have papers?”

Fuck. I panicked and launched into the boy’s mind before Tharan could pull the papers, blasting through his mental door.

We are farmers. Your cousin knows us. Let us pass.

“You are farmers. My cousin knows you. Please, go ahead,” he said in a monotone voice. The officer waved us on, and Tharan clicked his tongue at Arion to move him forward. The wagon crunched over the freshly fallen snow. I leaned back and let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank the Trinity,” I said, stretching my legs over the cart’s edge.

“I had papers made. You didn’t need to do that.” Tharan gave me a scolding look.

I bit at my cuticles, making little dots of blood form around my nails. “I panicked. I’m sorry.”

He rubbed my shoulders, trying his best to soothe me. “I think there’s one more before we enter Ryft’s Edge. So, we should be at the inn in no time.”

“Great, I’m going to shut my eyes for a bit. Wake me up if any harpies come wanting my dregs.”

Tharan let out a warm laugh. “Technically, you’re getting her dregs.”

“I don’t want to think about that.” Pulling my hood over my eyes, I drifted off to sleep.

Two soldiers stood at the end of the Ryft. Beyond, the bronze spires of the castle rose out of the land, reaching into the heavens. I swallowed hard, bracing myself for the inevitable.

“Farmers?” an older officer said, looking at the apples in the back of our wagon.

“Yes, sir, the finest apples in all of Moriana.” A lie. Tharan had enchanted a pile of leaves, but they’d never know.

“Mind if I have one?” the guard said, reaching into the back of the cart.

Gripping the seat tightly, I tried to calm my nerves.

Tharan caught his hand before he touched the apples. “Here, have mine. I was saving it because it was the best of the bunch. But a hardworking officer like yourself deserves it more than I do.”

The graying guard took the apple from Tharan’s hand, giving him a nod of thanks.

“Greenseed, the name’s Greenseed. For your list.”

The old guard waved us off. “Keeping track of humans is useless. It’s the magus the king cares about. Be on your way.”

I gave the old man the best smile I could conjure. “Have a good day!” I called as we passed into the Highlands.

The old guard raised his apple in a salute.

Our journey to cross the Ryft consumed the entire day, leaving me famished and my nerves frayed.

The castle towered above us, a haunting presence reminiscent of a scorned lover. My stomach churned with unease, a strong urge to flee tugging at me. I had grown stronger and wiser since my first arrival here. Yet, as I gazed up at the castle’s bronze roof, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being a lamb awaiting its impending slaughter.

I took a shaky breath, grabbing Tharan’s hand to keep myself from bolting.

Think of Baylis. You are doing this for Baylis. I repeated those words over and over as we neared the entrance to the city.

The wealthy lived in beautiful townhomes and lavish estates, while the working class and the poor lived on the city’s outskirts. Pedestrians walked cobblestone streets buying their dinner without a care in the world.

Memories lingering like ghouls in the shadows haunted me as we trotted through the bustling city. My senses clawed at my skin, begging to be released from this torture. Taking a deep breath, I channeled my nerves into something more productive—thoughts of revenge.