The Crown of Oaths and Curses (The Mortal Fates Book 1) by J Bree

Author:J Bree [Bree, J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-26T16:00:00+00:00

We’re less than halfway to the fae door when the sound of horse hooves thundering toward us carries on the slight breeze.

I share a look with Tauron, but it’s only a single horse and far more likely to be a messenger or someone fleeing conflict than a concern for us. Just to be sure, we pick up our pace and ride in the direction of the sound. It’s the same path we’re already on, slowly curving to the east as we follow the river.

By the time Darick's form becomes visible on the horizon, the seed of unrest I felt within me this morning has taken root, dread choking me as I feel the Fates laying down a path before me.

I’ve felt this before, and the outcome was never good.

The messenger doesn't bother to wait until he approaches us, or attempt to stop the horse, merely calling out the moment he’s sure that we’ll be able to pick up the words over the sounds of our horses’ hooves.

“The baby is coming. Princess Airlie has gone into labor. Prince Tyton has sent for you to return as quickly as the horses can carry you.”

I don't need to hear anything else.

I spur Nightspark on until he's galloping, pushing him as fast as his powerful body can go. Some of the other soldiers will inevitably fall back, but Tauron and his own horse keep up, as determined to make it home as I am.

When we get to the fae door, only Tauron, Darick and two of my soldiers have kept up with my brutal pace. If this were any other situation, I would have slowed down and kept formation, but not now, not for Airlie. Even without the promise I swore to Roan, I wouldn’t leave her to endure the curse alone.

Tyton is either by her side or still guarding the witch, and one option is as bad as the other. Airlie left alone to endure the death of her son, or the witch unguarded and finally able to strike.

I was arrogant. I was confident that, if nothing else, the iron would keep her contained.

Tyton told me that she’s been using her magic, but only in exchange with the earth. She never crossed the iron bars, that he could tell, not physically or with her magic. I made every excuse, told myself that it was fine because the small patch of grass we’d found was worth the risk of the witch being unbound in the cell. She was guarded at all times, what could she do? I rationalized it until I believed it, I left the witch to rot in those cells, and now my cousin's life may be forfeit to my arrogance.

I will never forgive myself.

The trip through the fae door is slow, there’s no way to gallop through it, but the moment we make it through and the walls of Yregar are within sight, I kick Nightspark and we take off at the same breakneck pace. I’m not waiting for my cousin

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