Here came the waterworks again, silently streaming down my face. Why did I have to do that to him? Why couldn’t I sugar coat it somehow, or even save it for later? I’d only added to his pain, and the regret came at me in sour waves.
I should go after him, apologize.
For what? For not wanting him? Wouldn’t that be worse for both of us?
But what was with this sudden emptiness? Like I’d lost him, like a new tear in the world had dumped a shitload of grief on my head again?
Fuck this.
I got to my feet, braced to go after him. One of those guards might help me if I spun some bullshit their way.
Yeah, right. They hated me. This palace was rich with hate and death and sorrow.
I have to leave…
Wiping my eyes, I went to the balcony. A bit of ocean air and the sound of the waves would help. I had a lot to untangle here, especially those words about a melody of blood. Man, where to even begin working that one out?
Hey, answers! You in there?
The waterborne frostbrood shot my thinking to pieces. Lurking close to the island, its icy streak spread across the waves for half a mile, gently swishing back and forth.
“What the hell are you doing?” I asked, leaning over the balcony.
Was it waiting for something?
Two orbs of gold shone in the water. Its eyes? Frostbrood had white eyes, not golden ones.
Dread said hello again.
“Oh, shit.”
A chuckle sounded behind me.
I spun, crystal dagger manifesting in response.
“Well, hello.” Aidan gave me a wave, standing between the billowing drapes. “Nice to see you again.”
“What’s your game now?”
The ground rumbled as if in response.
Shit. He had the frostbrood on side. He’d… Oh, fuck.
“You’ll see. But first, let me share my discovery with you.”
Yeah, I didn’t like the sound of that. “What discovery?”
He cleared his throat as the ground trembled again. “Caer might be able to keep me out of your special mental pocket, but it doesn’t stop me seeing things whenever you sing that pretty song. Or from tracking you.” He tapped the side of his head. “Obviously, I don’t need my memories repaired, but I’ve gained some insight. Just a sprinkle, anyway.” He clasped his hands together theatrically. “When two hearts sing, so the melody of blood begins with undying. The curse will awaken the song of true love, yet also undo it. The walls will crumble, love exposed, and the blessed blade will make the cut of hope. Darkness will be purged from the world, the lovers expelled into doom. And the world will be free of the shadows.”
“What…what does that mean?” I tugged on my collar, flustered by the words.
They weren’t…what the… huh?
His grin curdled my insides. “The presence inside you is a curse. I can’t see the full context, but I heard the words clearer than you did.” He tutted. “Caer’s not doing too well, is she? Poor thing. She’s failing her special elf by missing this.”
My temples throbbed, those damn words spinning, spinning, spinning.
“You…how did you see anything?”
