Page 145 of A Baron of Bonds
“Don’t. Don’t even try. You want me to actually listen to you during these talks? Then you should actually speak about what you feel is necessary to tell me.”
“I see you are still unwilling to speak to me calmly.”
“You see correctly.”
“You try my patience, child.”
“And you mine, so continue. I’d like to get back to sleep.”
“Alright, Karus, I’ll start with this. I once loved a man who betrayed me and was the cause of our child’s death.”
My blood chilled, and a shiver crept up my spine to the back of my neck, an unwelcome heightened sense of dread sitting low in my stomach.
I cleared my throat, even though I was not speaking aloud. “I’m listening.”
“Before I tell you this story, tell me what you know of my beginnings.”
“Only what you yourself have told me. And there’s a book with one small passage about you residing in the north,stealing people’s breath after the fall of Felgren from your arms…”
“Is there more?”
“It mentions that Baron Adaynth saved Hyrithia and the forest from your wrath.”
Maniacal laughter filled my head before, “Is that really the story he gave them? I should not be surprised. He was always one for making himself into the hero. I myself am evidence of falling to the trap of believing him to be.”
I hesitated, wanting to ask more questions, unsure if it was a good idea. “You loved him? You loved the first Baron?”
“I loved him before he called himself Baron, yes. As I told you, we grew up together in Felgren. I loved him before he had any power, as I held all of it.”
“Held all of what?”
“Power. Magic. I was the first wielder on the isle.”
My breath caught and I licked my lips. “You’re saying you were the first channeler?”
“As Visalia, I channeled nothing, for I was the first on the isle to have magic.”
Revich stirred, turning toward me, and I accommodated his body with mine, attempting to dampen my racing heart to avoid waking him.
“That’s your true name. Visalia.”
“It is. Or at least it was the one I was given at birth. I do not mind being called the Blightress. It suits me well enough.”
“You say you were the first one with magic. Did you take your power from Felgren like the rest of us?”
“No, Little Sprout. Igavemy power to Felgren.”
Revich’s eyes flashed open. He blinked, watching me stare at his chin, my forehead creased in comprehension of what she was telling me.
“Is she speaking to you?” he whispered.
I nodded and sat up, continuing in my mind, “You’re saying the power in Felgren came from you?” I shook my head and scoffed as Revich pulled himself up with me, taking my trembling hand. “I don’t believe you.”
“And why is that, Karus? Do you think I lie to you now in the dead of night during the little time you give me to tell you my story? That I seek to manipulate you into believing Felgren was born from me? For what purpose? Why would I choose that lie?”
“Are you alright?” Revich murmured, slipping the thin strap of my nightgown back up onto my shoulder.
“Yes,” I whispered to him, my voice dry. I coughed and he moved to pour a glass of water from his bedside table.
