Blood Between Worlds: Her Curse, He's Throne

ng I noticed

irelight kind, but real

l windows. The fire in the hearth had burned low to

membered

e word whispered

la

ady rising. The air in the room was calm, but I wasn

shut

ed t

ad ever opened

, trying to piece it all together

expect

aze, the too-quiet presence,

wasn't

s a w

at the back of her head. She wore a flowing deep green dress, long-sleeved w

as she saw me. "A

smooth, gent

The cadence of it. The way she sha

strange

Zev

her for a se

chuckle. "I do n

I said quickly. "I just... t

ing nod. "He's gone. Left befo

did a weird

e wh

er head. "Do

sharp, it was gentle, almost sad. Like she piti

nto the room fully. "And you, litt

ned. "

ll smile. "You burned through something

ely not a reg

... fro

nd boun

like him,"

a brow. "

y you speak... it's just-" I paused, grasping for the

. "Because you are far

shut

ding I'd left twisted. "You should eat. Move your bone

e is

ered simply. "One of the ol

ped absolut

ome. I'll show you w

he castle. The corridors were wide, arching, full of faded murals and stone

than anything I'd ever step

own the hall, si

ason, I said quie

ced over he

dded. "You can

nd knowing. "A str

en in a way I couldn't explain. Like she already kn

everyone

Those who remain b

who bowed slightly as we walked by. His ey

a man sweeping dust from stone, both paused

isn't... b

t been, not f

ur

le. "Cycles. You wo

them her whole life. I followed closely, watching the way she ran

t," I said af

hold quiet best. They lis

ou sound like

hen I have failed to softe

ne way to

ers. Carvings curled up the frame like vines, and the symbol from

n there?"

expressio

ber is not

hy

first time, the warmth in h

behind it," she said. "An

d at th

rawled up

ently turned me away. "Come, child

lowed

n't help gl

d, I swear that symb

e my palm st