Page 41 of A Conduit of Light
Sheshut her mouth, concerned less with whatRevichdid and did not know, and more with how idiotic she might sound in just a moment.
“I’msorry to disturb your…”Shemoved aside, careful not to touch him as the secondBaronbrushed past her.Thatinfuriating smirk lifted his lips as he sat back down in his seat, propping his elbow on the desk and resting his chin on his fist.Hiscomplete attention was on her, eyes alight and taunting in the glow of the low flame. “Todisturb your…research,” she finished, avoidingRevich’sgaze for the moment.
“Itis of little consequence, child.Tellme what you have found.”BaronHeimlengently placed his quill on the desk and sat back in his chair, gloved hands folded across his lap, his dark eyes waiting for her to speak.
Ashcleared her throat. “Iwas reading a book inViridison stories of theBlightress.”
“Hmm.”
Thesound came fromRevichand as her eyes darted his way, she saw the slight nod of his head and raise of his eyebrows.Shepressed her lips together in a tight squeeze, determined not to show amusement.
“Thebook was in theOriginsofFelgrenHalland it contained mostly stories and songsI’veheard before, but there was one poemIhad not.Ifound it interesting due to…due to whatIfelt this morning at theBlight.”Shewrung her hands in the folds of her mossy green skirt, waiting for a reply.
“Andwould you recite this poem for us,Ash’Arah?”
Shewas going to have words for him when they were alone again.Revich’svoice hung tauntingly in the air, the tease of her full name on his lips, though hopefully not observed byBaronHeimlen.
“Yes, what is this poem?Iam not familiar with that book, butIknow it is said that theBlightresswas a real woman whose origins began inFelgren.”BaronHeimlenseemed unaware of the effect his successor was having on her or assumed she was nervous around them both.
Shecleared her throat and recited the poem, willing her voice not to shake or make any embarrassing noises.
“Withoutanger,Shelaughed in mirth.
Withoutlove,Sheleft them bleeding.
Withouthope,Shewalks the earth.
Withoutfear,Herheart is fleeting.”
Ashdared to look toRevichagain, but the teasing nature of his expression had changed to one of confusion.
“I…thought the last line was particularly interesting.Itmentions her heart andIthought—what if theBlightresscreated theBlighthundreds of years ago and…somehow, she gave it a heartbeat?Like…like the oneIfelt this morning?”Ash’sface was beet red even in the dark glow of the room as she cursed herself for sounding so moronic.Speakingher theory aloud to theBarons, itdidsound like a stretch—just asFiguerahhad said.
BaronHeimlenfocused his daunting gaze on her face, the silence of the room unbearable. “BaronRevich,” he addressed his heir and finally captured his attention away fromAsh. “Youwill go withAsh’Arahto theBlight.Iwould like your observation on what she speaks of.Iexpect a report back to me before dinner.”
“Ofcourse,BaronHeimlen,”Revichreplied and stood before her, their eyes meeting. “Shallwe?” he added, his arm outstretched toward the door.
Ashturned and opened it, spilling into the dark corridor, skirts cascading around her legs as if they were escaping as well.Shesighed in relief to be out of the small, dark office in front of the two most powerful men on the isle.
Revichclosed the door behind him and took her sweaty hand in his, a smile about to burst into a laugh on his lips as he led her down the staircase and out of the front doors of theFortress.
Shefollowed his lead, jogging to keep up with his forever hurried stride.
“IthinkImight just die of embarrassment,” she mumbled as they trekked toward the lumen den to ride to the edge of theBlight.
Notable to contain his laughter any longer, it burst loud and low from his chest as he tilted his head up to the sky and squeezed her hand in reassurance.
“Come, now,my dear, it wasn’t thatbad.BaronHeimlenis harmless once you get used to his stern manner.Hecan be pleasant and even humorous at times.Iknow you’ve seen maybe a glimpse of that before.”Hepulled her into an embrace, unyielding in his hand-holding prowess as he brought her knuckles to his lips, his eyes still sparkling in amusement.
Shewas too tired to resist such a welcoming invitation and she brought her face down into his neck, laughing at her own humiliation.
“TheBarontold me what you discovered today, andIam curious to observe it myself.”Hebrushed the hair from her face and kissed the top of her forehead. “Come, the sooner we visit theBlight, the sooner we can leave its horror and take time for ourselves before dinner.”
“I’mnot at all sure you’re taking this as seriously asIam,BaronRevich.”
“Oh, you are mistaken, my lady.Itake itmostseriously, for the sooner we destroy the disease, the soonerIget to train you all by myself.”Hewinked in her direction as they met their lumens who greeted them with slobbery enthusiasm.
“Hello, handsome.”Ashgreeted her lumen, his coat shining after his afternoon grooming session.
