Page 1 of A Spell of Bones and Madness
Prologue
Ander
You left.
You left and I cannot see—not without the light that radiates off you.
You left and I cannot breathe—not without the lingering scent of you crushing my soul.
You left and I cannot sleep—not without dreaming about stopping you.
You left.
You left.
You left.
I neverleft.
Starling,
Every moment was real.
You were everything.
You will always be everything.
For you, I am just Ander.
Starling,
It has been a week and still I cannot believe you are no longer here. I became used to your unending smile, your spark, and, yes—even the bothersome way you would try to argue with me. I know I should have been honest. I should have told you who I was, but if I did, would you have understood? Would you have accepted me as I am, the Prince of Nexos, the man you thought for so long was the enemy?
I guess it doesn’t matter now. You have made your choice.
Forever sorry. Foreveryours.
-Ander
Starling,
I understand that you are angry—gods, I am angry at myself as well. But tell me a time when you didn’t feel some sort of loathing toward me. Did you not curse my name and place a dagger to my throat that first day aboard The Nostos? Did you not threaten to jump off the ship if I made you eat with me one more time? Look at how far we have come, how much your feelings have changed toward me—the affection and, dare I say, love that might have been if you let me explain. I am sorry. I know that it is my fault, but could you not find it in your heart to forgive once again? To pretend, even? Pretend I am that boy on the shores of Alentus once more. Pretend I am just the farmer in the woods.
-Ander
Starling,
I beg you, talk to me.
-Ander
Starling,
They are coming. You need to get out. Take your sister and get out. Promise that even if you hate me you will do this.
-Ander
Aikaterine,
