Page 30 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“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 yourecognizedit?”

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 asyou 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.”

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