Page 198 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Do you have a better option?”

He muttered a curse under his breath before removing his armor.

“Lucky, I have this.” Amolie quickly threaded a needle and began to weave it through his skin.

Caiden set his jaw, trying to distract himself from the pain.

Aelia squeezed his hand.

“Amolie will have you fixed up in a moment.”

Caiden savored the feeling of her hand in his, but didn’t dare show it on his face. Tharan’s jaw tightened at the sight of Aelia comforting Caiden, but he did not say anything. Instead, he moved to the book.

“What does it say?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“It says: Well done, Lord of Lightning, you may pass.”

The room rumbled and a stone wall opened before them, revealing a darkened passage.

Amolie tied her thread in a knot, closing Caiden’s gash.

“It will hold until I figure out what magic is blocking your healing. But don’t do anything too crazy.”

Caiden gave her a knowing look.

“Tharan, can you help him up?” Amolie asked.

Looping his arms underneath Caiden’s, Tharan pulled him to his feet. Caiden winced in pain.

“Let’s go, Lord of Lightning,” he said.

Aelia gave him a small smile.

“I’m glad you’re okay.”

He smiled back.

“Me too.”

Together, they walked into the next chamber.

50AELIA

Flames flickeredaround the circular room. In the center, another golden book sat. I swallowed hard, exchanging a knowing glance with Amolie. Walking up to the pedestal, I pricked my thumb and lay a bloody print on the pristine golden parchment. The blood disappeared and a message took its place.

Hello, Traitorous Queen. Although you are not fully human… not anymore, I will accept your offering.

“Great,” I said under my breath.

The humans were created to care for the land and so their bodies nourish the soil once they have passed. Their mortality was a gift from the Goddess Ammena in hopes they would treasure the small things in life.

You have faced many trials, Queen of the Dead, but this one will take you closer to death than you’ve ever been before.

A chill ran down my spine.

Before you lay six vials. Five are deadly, one is benign. Choose wisely.

The script disappeared.

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