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7 AELIA

Tharan brought me a glass of water, and I drank it greedily.

“What happened in there? I saw your hands grip the side of the chair.”

I swallowed hard. “That’s never happened before. Or at least I don’t think it has.” My chest tightened. Should I tell Tharan about what happened in Baylis’s mind? I didn’t want him to become even more suspicious of my sister when all I had was a fragment of a memory to work from. Furthermore, I didn’t want to draw attention to my past with Caiden.

“What’s going on in that head of yours, Aelia? I see the wheels turning.” His verdant gaze made me melt. I could not keep a secret from him.

“I saw something. Something I think was meant to be hidden.” I sat up on the bed, pulling my knees into my chest.

Tharan sat down on the bed next to me.

“Oh?” His brows knitted with concern.

“Gideon set a trap for us in her memories. I triggered it when I entered. We almost didn’t make it out. Her memories… the ones I need are guarded by a creature I have not encountered before.” I ran my hand through my hair nervously. “It was foolish of me to go in without even thinking about a trap.”

Tharan rubbed my back lovingly. “Do not underestimate Gideon’s prowess. He may not be as cunning as Erissa, but he’s no fool. He led armies into battle and ran secret missions for his father for years.”

“That’s true.”

I fiddled with the invisible ring on my finger.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself. Even if it weren’t a blatant trap, he would’ve found a way to make it so you couldn’t get her memories. Made them disintegrate when you touch them or something like that.”

“You’re right.” A sigh escaped my lips.

“Did you get anything useful?”

“I, uh, saw something I don’t think I was supposed to see.”

“Like what?” He scooted closer to me on the bed.

I rubbed my tired eyes, smearing the kohl I placed earlier.

“I don’t know. It was just a flash of a memory. But I recognized it because…” I hesitated.

“Because you recognized it?”

A sob formed in my throat. “Yes,” I eked out.

“Oh, Aelia. What was it? Did he hurt her?”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I think they were in love. Or at least at one point, she was attracted to him.”

Tharan was silent for a moment.

“What?” I asked, looking up with a frown.

Tharan chewed the inside of his lip, eyes uneasy. His shoulders folded in.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Aelia… but weren’t you at one time attracted him?”

My mouth fell agape. He was right. I could be overreacting. Gideon loved to shower you affectionately before pulling the rug out from beneath you. “Yes, that’s possible.”

“You saw a snapshot in time. It could have been anything. She could’ve loved him, but if her memories were as jumbled as you say, she might not remember. Or that could be planted to fuck with your head.”

“You’re right. I don’t know what I saw. Gideon knows how to get to me. My sister is a weapon to him.” I let my body relax.

Tharan ran a loving hand down my chin.

“I know you know this, but love your sister, be there for her, but always keep an eye out. Gideon and Erissa know how to play the game. You’re right; she might be a weapon. Who is wielding her is still up for debate.”

“My mother will know. Although where her loyalties lie is murky, too.”

“The Fates will show you what they want you to see. Don’t forget that. They were supposed to be impartial, but somewhere along the way, they forgot that and became something more like future makers instead of future seers.”

“I like to think that’s why my mother left. Like she wanted a better life.”

“There were always rumors of squabbles between the sisters, but people love to gossip.”

I nuzzled my face into Tharan’s neck. “When are we leaving?”

“Two days.” He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and I buried my face deeper, savoring the scent of pine and sweat on his skin.

“So soon?”

“We can’t wait any longer.” He kissed my forehead, and lust roiled in my veins.

I wanted him—wanted him so badly I would tear myself apart if I didn’t have him inside me soon, but that would all have to wait until we returned. I needed to have a clear head. Committing myself to Tharan was more than just saying vows. To commit myself to a god meant binding ourselves together for an eternity. Before the Trinity culled the land, women presented themselves to gods, hoping to be chosen as their mate. They would inherit some of the god’s power when their souls were bound. What would that mean for me?

Tharan hooked a finger under my chin. “Hey, come back to me.”

“Sorry,” I said, cheeks flushed. “My mind is heavy.”

“I know, my King Killer.” He pressed his lips to mine, lighting a fire in my core.

I breathed him in. I wanted him to consume me. To forget our troubles and disappear into one another. Tharan’s teeth grazed the soft flesh of my neck, making me suck in a breath. “Yes,” I whispered.

Slowly, Tharan undid the ties of my tunic before slipping it off. My nipples pricked at the cool night air. Kissing his way down my neck, igniting a fire under my skin, Tharan took my nipple into his mouth. A moan escaped my lips, and I arched my back as his tongue teased me—tension building in my core.

I quickly untied my pants, but Tharan’s hand caught mine before I could tend to the need quaking between my legs.

“Not yet. You need your rest, but I wanted to give you something to think about while you recover.”

“Tease.”

He dragged his teeth over my nipple. The delicious sensation of pain and pleasure mixed, making my core thrum with need. “Tharan,” I gasped out.

A devious smile split his face in two. His fangs glinted in the firelight. “Trinity, I can’t hold myself together when you say my name like that.”

I smiled, pulling him in for another passionate kiss. Slipping my tongue between his lips, I savored the taste of spiced cider on his tongue. It reminded me of the night we’d spent together in the little elven town, where we’d shared our shame and ignited sparks of love. My heart warmed at the memory. I fisted my hands in his lush locks, and he let out a moan of pleasure before pulling away.

“Aelia, I can’t. We can’t.”

“I know, but I can’t help it. You are my light, my life, Tharan.” The words spilled out of me—words I had never shared before. Words I had never thought of before.

He nuzzled my nose with his. “There are things I want to tell you, Aelia. Things I haven’t uttered for half a century.”

My heart leapt into my throat.

“I know what you mean.”

Brushing my hair behind my ear, he leaned in and whispered, “I want to save them for our binding day. I want the gods to know our truths.”

“Oh, Tharan.” I bit my lip. My fingers shook with a mix of apprehension and excitement.

He kissed my cheek. “Sleep now, my King Killer, my Queen of the Dead.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I drifted off to sleep in his arms.