Page 29 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

I gently unfolded the wrapping, taking great care not to rip it. Inside, a wooden box with a golden lock sat.

“You’ll need this.” Caiden handed me a tiny gold key.

Nervously, I inserted it into the lock. The box cracked open, revealing a silver necklace like cracking lightning. A note perched on top of the jewelry.May this spark courage whenever you need it. Caiden.

My heart lurched into my throat. The memory was bittersweet. Before I left for the Highlands, I buried the necklace, along with everything Caiden had ever given me, in the garden of the River House. I wanted to forget Caiden, just as he would eventually want to forget me.

“It’s too much,” I said, hiding the scarf I’d knitted for him.

“No, it’s not.”

I bit my lip, pushing back the tears welling behind my eyes. “I, uh, made this for you.” I handed him the scarf wrapped in tawny parchment.

His eyes brightened. “You shouldn’t have.”

“Yes, she should,” my sister said, shooting me a coy smile.

I stared daggers into her.

Caiden unwrapped the heavy scarf made of thick wool—blue with the crest of the Stormlands woven into it.

“It’s wonderful,” he said.

I searched his eyes for a hint of a lie, but only genuine happiness stared back at me as he wrapped it around his neck.

“Thank you,” he said.

Butterflies flitted in my stomach.

The memory cut out.

“Well, that hurt.” I piled the papers together, ignoring the pressure behind my eyes.

“You were so happy,” Baylis said, reaching for me. Her voice filled with concern. “I don’t understand. I thought you’d want to relive that moment.”

I stared at her for a moment. Her once disheveled hair now perfectly pinned back like she wore it when we were younger. When had she done that? Even I couldn’t manipulate two realities at once.

Exhaustion tugged at the corners of my senses. “I know you thought you were helping, but I need to let him go.”

“Sorry. I just wanted to remember something good.” Her eyes flitted to the floor, and she crumpled a piece of paper in her hand.

“It’s okay.” I leaned in, kissing her on the forehead.

We exited the way we came in.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the healer’s chambers with Tharan at my side. The grit of sand filled my mouth—an unfortunate side effect of reading minds. I wanted to tell him what I saw in her mind, but that would come with many more questions, including some I wasn’t ready to face yet.

Baylis slept silently in the healer’s bed. Her eyes danced beneath closed lids.

“She’ll be safe here,” the healer said. “Why don’t you get some rest? It’s nearly half past two in the morning.”

I went to stand, but my legs collapsed underneath me.

“I’ve got you,” Tharan said, scoping me up and carrying me to his chamber.

7AELIA

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

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