Page 134 of A Blightress of Wrath
ButThevinandIhadn’t ventured down that path yet, and though my thoughts often wandered to what it would be like, we had agreed to wait until theDimmingwas over, and we could focus on the growing passion between us.
Fornow, we had dreams of our future set, ready to begin our lives together as soon as all of this was over.
Ihad told him about theBlightressmoving back in time with me, and he had agreed that meant we should not underestimate my connection to her.Weagreed thatIshould not respond if she tried to speak through my mind again.
CommanderAshton’sforces arrived by the fifth day, a few days ahead of schedule, and he brought his sister,CommanderAllyanna, with him.
Wheremy mother had been met with cold anger fromAshtonandAllyanna, it wasCommanderGeyrand’swidow who greeted her with warmth and friendship.Ihad been at the dinner when she arrived, dressed in the palest pink and ruffled skirtsI’dever seen.Shehad a full curvy figure and a friendliness that radiated around her.
Shehad hugged my mother for a long while, saying something in her ear which brought tears to both of their eyes before she joined us with her two children, whomIguessed looked more like their father than her.
Moretents and more food had to be brought in for the growing army and more than a few times,Ihad overheard the newRunnersdiscussing the odd forest that had grown to the west of the castle.
Iused my spell to blend into the crowd more often than not whenIwas getting around, wishing to move unnoticed by the very people who were fighting a war that began over me.
Mymother could not escape their glances and whispers, however, as the truth spread of the otherBarontrapped for seventeen years in theBlightress’slands.Wearylooks and sometimes downright glares crossed their faces as if by leavingFelgrenand admitting where my father had been, she was not to be trusted.
Lannahealed slowly and my guilt at not saving her from such an injury, whether deserved or not, left me talking to her often and checking on her progress.
Whilewe waited a few days more forFiguerah’scompanion,Nyeimah, to bring someWieldwrynsfrom theAttatokMountains,Ioverheard my mother andLannaspeaking in harsh, but hushed tones.
“YouknowIam needed here,”Lannalashed.
Ibegan to back away from their private meeting, deciding to share the fresh applesI’dfound from a tree in my forest another time.Butmy mother’s next words stopped me.
“Iknow you,Lanna.Youwould not abandon your mother like this.Sheneeds you at her side.”
Lannahuffed. “Shewill die within the week whetherIam there or not.”
“Youwill regret it the rest of your days if you are not with her when her soul departs.Bothof my mothers are dead, andIdid not get to hold their hands as their breath left them.Iam telling you this as someone who cares for you.Iwould not wish for you to regret this.”
Lannapaused a moment andIpeeked slightly around the corner of the tent where they spoke. “Youdon’t even like her,” she mumbled, crossing her arms and shifting her weight to her left leg.
“Thatdoesn’t mean she deserves to be alone at the end.”Mymother reached out to squeeze her hand. “Go,Lanna.Iwill hold off theDimminguntil you are ready to return to us.Nota soul will think your absence unjustified.Wecan wait a little longer for you to say goodbye.”
“Alright,”Lannasighed. “I’llleave tonight and send word whenI’mready to return via your portal.”Anotherlong pause. “Thankyou,Karus.”
Mymother walked away andIbegan to backtrack whenIheardLannacall, “Youcan come out now,Sae.”
Heatflared across my cheeks and neck asIstepped forward from behind the tent, apologizing profusely thatIhad not meant to eavesdrop.
Sheshrugged, thanking me for the bright red apple, biting into the skin and saying, “Iwould have told you anyway.Yourmother’s right.Iwould regret not being there at my mother’s death.”
“I’msorry that her life is ending.”
“Iwish she could have heard that we saved your father and the isle.Shehas always meant well for me, even if it didn’t appear so.”
“You’llleave for theSpireby portal tonight?”
“Yes.I’llensure my commandment is settled withThevinbeforeIgo.I’lladmitIwouldn’t mind a swim or two in theHatcheryto stretch my legs beforeIreturn.”
“Doyou swim there often?”
“EverymorningIcan.”
“ThenIwish you a peaceful time away.Ihave the strangest feeling that you are not needed here right now, but somewhere else entirely.”
Shelaughed, slapping me on the back and leading the way to the training pasture. “Howvery cryptic of you,Sae.Perhapsyou’re right.”
