Page 26 of Reaper’s Curse

Even though Valen hadn’t let on that he noticed anything out of the ordinary where I was concerned, I decided that wearing gloves during any future supervised reaping sessions might be prudent.

I flexed my hands and studied the blue tips crusting down over my reddened knuckles. Tiny tremors raced through my hand, setting my slim fingers to quiver.

Beyond the palace windows, the sky was dark yet clear. The entirety of the day had been swept away beneath Valen’s tedious and unending management. His sharp directions pressing me to clear an affected.

By the time Valen had called it quits for the day, I felt wholly irritated and ready to drop. Tonight, I would sleep like one of the dead.

With the hour late, the halls and passageways Valen escorted me through on our way back to my room were relatively empty. We turned a corner, and a sting upon my arm ignited. Another tasked reap to be acted upon…once the curse was lifted.

An afflicted female, clearly of stature, her styled hair and flowing attire impeccable, drifted toward us with a grace only pure fae…or a god…could achieve. But the gray of her skin and the glaze of her eyes were undeniable. Four escorts surrounded her, one on either side of her and two at her back.

“Your Highness.” Valen bowed.

I followed his lead, even as I sneaked a glance at the female, clearly the queen’s daughter.

The curve of the female’s brow and the line of her nose were features she shared with her son Winter. Her glossy eyes showed no sign of recognition, and her forward motion appeared to pause merely because of the hold of her attendants. Not waiting for the royal’s acknowledgement, Valen rose and steered me to the side so that the afflicted royal and her party might move past.

But before the party of five could clear the path, Winter’s mother jerked to the side and grabbed hold of my arm. My breath caught in my throat as moving pictures flickered behind my eyes. Images of me leaving the palace, then leaving the citadel, without delay or a single glance back.

The royal pulled her hand away and, wrapping her arms around her waist, continued walking as if the exchange had never taken place. I remained motionless, my back pressed against the wall, as I ogled the queen’s daughter’s retreat.

“Winter’s mother?” I asked when the royal and her entourage were out of hearing range.

Valen simply nodded.

“And the images she projects?”

“When she fell victim to the curse, she stopped talking and now uses what remains of her gift as her way of communication.” He tapped my elbow and continued the course toward my room.

Based on what the female had shown me, I had to assume Winter’s mother wanted me gone. Out from under her roof and outside the citadel walls.

Was that a warning or a threat?

Either way, why would the afflicted royal care? Did something about my presence stir an emotion within her disconnected soul?

I dropped my gaze to my covered arm, to the location I knew the royal’s name had appeared on my skin.

Was Winter’s mother more fearful of death than of her current state? And to connect me with death, did that mean she understood that I was a reaper?

We turned a corner and started climbing a flight of stairs when I asked, “She’s the driving force behind the queen’s desire to find a cure for the afflicted, isn’t she?"

“One of them,” Valen answered, taking the last stair and stepping onto the upper landing. “What did she show you?”

Telling Valen that the royal wanted me gone was not on my list of ideal things to share. I wasn’t sure how he would accept that information and if the admission would work in or against my favor.

Avoiding eye contact, I stared ahead to the guards flanking the door to my new in-palace accommodations.

“I’m not sure I understand the visuals correctly,” I lied, “but I got the sense she was curious about who I was.”

The explanation seemed more believable, in my mind, than telling Valen that Winter’s mother was merely communicating a sweet hello. I didn’t know Valen well, but I was confident he wouldn’t have believed that particular cover story.

Valen merely hummed. "I’m quite certain she would prefer to witness your leave. Much in the manner the queen requested your coreaper’s departure.” He quirked his lips. “For the sake of you and your crew, might I recommend you avoid drawing attention to yourself…and them…such as a visit with them at that unsavory establishment …lest Her Majesty might find herself motivated to make more demands.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Valen raised his hand, silencing me. Then, appearing as tired as I felt, he bid me goodnight and walked away, leaving me in the care of my new room guards. I stared after him even as the guards swung the door to my room open wide for my entrance.

Would I have drawn the wrong kind of attention had I managed to visit with Aldine earlier today as planned?

After Valen disappeared down the stairs without once glancing back in my direction, I murmured thank yous and goodnights to the standing guards and shuffled inside.