Page 107 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Ialmost drowned, thanks,”Ireminded her, slapping her back as she coughed a laugh.
“I’mglad you didn’t.It’sinteresting though, isn’t it?Whywould the attendants assume that you andSaelynare lovers?”Shetilted her head back to the pillar in the room at the top of theSpirewhere all of our launches to theBlightLinetook place.
Ishrugged, tightening one of my straps.
“Youare in deep, my friend,” she huffed, leaving my side to fill a plate at the sideboard of breakfast foods.
Ididn’t tell her about the kiss.
Ididn’t tell her about howIhad gone back to my bed afterwards, debating whatIshould or should not do next.
Saelynhad kissed me.
Byher breath,Ididn’t stop it.
PerhapsIshould have.
Ididn’t know whatI’ddo whenIsaw her again.AndasIhad fallen asleep,I’dtried to memorize the feel of her lips and body against mine.Thefeel of her hand in my hair and the way she had gasped at my mouth on her neck.
IdecidedI’dignore it.
I’dtreat her the same as if it hadn’t happened.
Ifshe felt it was a mistake in the light of dawn, that would give her the easy way out.Besides, we had a lot to do in the next few weeks, and we didn’t have time for confusion in our relationship.
Imeandered toward the array of foods, knowingIshould eat.
“Youshould eat.”Lannaechoed my thoughts, stuffing her mouth with a vanilla custard pastry.
Iplated a sausage and a few cherries.Summerwas in full swing outside ofFelgren, evident in the variety of colorful fruits which lined the table. “What’sour destination?”Iasked between bites. “Lythglyn?”
Sheshook her head, wiping her mouth. “Theruins.We’rejoining theWieldwrynsthis morning in the push back to the castle, since theBlightresshas depleted some of her power with that attack last night.”Shepaused for a moment, cocking her head to the side and narrowing her eyes. “Doyou know howSaelynknew theBlightresswas coming?Yousaid she was more powerful than anyone realized.”
Isighed, glancing toward the doorway to the top tower room where we expected theBaronandSaeto join us any minute.ClairanniaandMadameZoreyahwere already there along with my parents, theViceroy, and some other important figuresIrecognized. “Itruly do not know.Wewere dancing and talking one second, and the next, she bolted to her mother to warn her.”
“It’sa good thing she did,”Lannanoted. “Asecond later andBaronKaruswould not have gotten her shield up in time.”
Ihummed in agreement.
“Doyou thinkSaeknows more than what she said at the gathering last night?”Herwords were careful as she studied me.Shewas one of my oldest friends, but she was also my commander in this war.
“No,”Ilied, spooning some of the egg and seafood dish onto my plate. “Idon’t think she does.”
“Well, that’s a shame becauseIdo think she is hiding something.”
Mygaze rose to her steely blue one and she tightened her jaw, speaking low for me to hear. “BaronRevichis alive.Hisdaughter can somehow sense theBlightress’spower.Bothof these truths go hand-in-hand, though neitherInor the council understand exactly how.WhateverpowerSaelynholds that can predict the movements of our enemy is not one we can afford to let her keep to herself.”
Iglared. “Whatare you saying,Commander?”
Herface softened slightly.Inever used her title so seriously.
“WhatI’msaying is that you are her closest friend.Shelikely trusts you even more thanIdo and that’s saying something.”Sheclapped a hand at my back. “Ionly mean to win this war and bringBaronRevichback from wherever he fights in her lands.Ionly mean to return peace and safety to this isle.”Sheshook my shoulder, adding, “Youknow that,Thevin.”
“Aye,Ido.”
“Sotalk to her.Gether to help us.BytheBaron,Idon’t know why she would hide something like this in the first place.”
“She’snever seen war.Shedidn’t know the extent of what was happening until two days ago,Lanna.Giveher time.”
