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RECAP

A CURSE OF brEATH AND BLOOD

Aelia Springborn is a queen on the run. Hiding from her abusive husband, King Gideon, she uses her telepathic powers as a mercenary for hire. While in hiding, her ex-lover and Sylph lord, Caiden Stormweaver, tracks her down to tell her that Gideon has kidnapped her sister, Baylis, intending to trade her to the Alder King for the use of his legendary army.

Caiden and Aelia are bound together by more than just a shared history. Years ago, Caiden made a promise sealed in blood to her mother: He would protect the Springborn sisters at all costs. Now, he must fulfill that oath. But in order to proceed with their mission, he makes a deal with Aelia: Once his oath is fulfilled, she will erase all the memories of their past from his mind.

They journey to the Court of Sorrows, where they plan to have Aelia plant an idea in Tharan Greenblade’s mind—the charming bastard son of the Alder King. The plan goes smoothly until goblins attack the Court to steal the Scepter of the Dead and, with it, the power of the Morrigan and her army. Luckily, Caiden takes the scepter first, but Gideon saves the day and becomes a hero.

After they escape, Tharan invites them to the revelry in gratitude. Upon reaching the camp, Aelia discovers that Baylis has been working with Gideon all along. Heartbroken, Aelia believes Baylis has been brainwashed. Aelia and Caiden hatch a plan to intercept her at the revelry. Despite the ticking clock on their time together, Caiden and Aelia rekindle their love.

Meanwhile, Aelia finds the Scepter of the Dead. The Morrigan shows herself to Aelia and states only she who has been to the other side can control the Morrigan’s troops. Aelia denies the Morrigan’s request, as the inscription on the scepter states that to call on the dead, the user will have to forfeit their life force.

Gideon’s army lays siege to the Woodland Realm at the Yule revelry. A battle ensues between Gideon and the attending kingdoms.

As the battle rages, Baylis kills the Alder King, who declares Tharan, his successor with his dying breath. Aelia knocks Baylis unconscious, but Gideon escapes.

When the dust settles, Aelia learns Baylis’ soul is trapped in Erissa’s amulet. To free her, they must spill her blood on the amulet. Forced to complete their agreement, Aelia erases Caiden’s memory of their relationship. Aelia is heartbroken. Seeing Aelia’s pain, Tharan offers to accompany her to the Highlands to save her sister and gather information on Gideon. It is here that Tharan confesses his feelings for Aelia. Although she, too, has feelings for Tharan---Aelia wants to take things slow and be friends for the time being.

Meanwhile, Caiden returns to the Sylph lands to beg the Sylph High Council to retaliate against the Highlands. The court elders do not believe him and instead send him on a fact-finding mission to the Highlands.

Tharan and Aelia sneak into Gideon’s palace. Meanwhile, Caiden and his spymaster are on their own mission to collect evidence against Gideon for the Sylph Council.

While Aelia, Tharan, and Caiden are all separately looking for information, Erissa captures them and brings them to her laboratory, where it is revealed that she is the mastermind behind everything.

A fight ensues, and the gang barely makes it out alive, only to find them surrounded by the Highland army. In a last-ditch attempt to save herself and her friends, Aelia pricks her finger and releases the Army of the Dead upon Gideon’s forces. However, Erissa and Gideon escape.

The gang goes their separate ways but agrees to meet up in the Woodland Realm afterward. Tharan helps Aelia heal from her battle wounds, only furthering her feelings for him.

When they return to the Woodland Realm, Caiden and his spymaster await them. Aelia laments the fact that she did not get the amulet needed to free her sister from the spell. It is then that Caiden reveals he grabbed the amulet during the battle.

Aelia rushes to her sister’s bedside, drawing a drop of her blood and placing it on the amulet. At first, nothing happens, and Baylis remains asleep. Aelia begins to cry, fearing all is lost. When her tears touch the amulet, the spell is broken. Baylis wakes with no recollection of her time with Gideon and Erissa.

As the gang gathers around Baylis, Aelia takes stock of how her life has changed since Tharan came into it. Seeing the improvements, she decides to throw caution to the wind and give Tharan her heart.

The epilogue hints at a bigger plan between Baylis and Gideon.