Page 25 of A Blightress of Wrath
Watchingall the peopleIloved pack their things into the two carriages at the edge ofFelgrencaused a lump in my throatIcouldn’t swallow.Theturmoil of emotions from the last six weeks since the trials had me constantly breaking down into sudden joy, sudden fear, and sudden tears of sadness.Iturned my back on the scene to say goodbye to the forestIloved, the lumensIloved, theOverseerIloved, andLia, whomIwas disappointed with, but still cared for deeply.
Parvusbit the hem of my blackBaronskirts, pulling me away from the line of trees that marked the edge ofFelgren.
“Iknow,Iknow.”Isighed, scratching behind his ears covered in a thick moss.Istared into his eyes which had grown more angular and redder in the weeks since theBlightresshad helped heal the lumens from their fall into the underground tunnel.
Hewhined looking up at me, his tongue pulled into his mouth for once.Iwiped a tear and bent to his face whereIheld it. “It’sonly two weeks.Itwill be nothing to you.Andno, you cannot come with.YouandRaucaneed to stay here and get better.”
Iscratched his neck, feeling the vines growing beneath my fingers.
Figuerahapproached, assuring, “MadameZoreyahmight know what to do about this change in the lumens.We’llask her about it when we get toRadyx.”
Shehad examined both of the giant wolves thoroughly, finding nothing wrong with them except the vines, thorns, seeds, and moss that bloomed over their coats of fur each day.
“Everyoneis saying their last goodbyes and we’re ready.”Shesqueezed my hand and gave a last hug toParvusbefore joiningClairanniain one of the carriages.
Liastepped up beside me, holding out a pine green silk band with one and a half moons embroidered across the front. “Ihave something for you, love.”
Itook it, smoothing my hands over the intricate design.
“Ihad just enough time to finish it last night,” she added. “Doyou like it?”
Holdingthe growth band for my child,Inodded, pressing my lips closed to stop the trembleIfelt all the way to my heart.I’dwear the band all throughoutSaelyn’sgrowth, adding moons untilIgave birth.Thenwe would wrap the band around her crib to bring peace and good health in her first year of life.
“It’sbeautiful.Thankyou,Lia.”Ihanded it back to her and turned so she could tie it around my waist.
“Iwasn’t whereIshould have been all those years ago.”Shesniffed behind me, finishing the bow. “Iwon’t make that mistake again.So,I’llbe here when you return for all of it.Ipromise you.”
Ipulled her into a hug and held on tightly.Somehow, she felt like more than a friend, but family. “HowdoIknowI’vekept theBlightressout?HowcanIbe sure she isn’t there right now, inside my thoughts?”
“Youmust shove her away.Puther in the darkest corner of your mind.Closethe door on her, and she cannot get through.Iknow you have the strength to do this.”
“Ifeel her there,”Imurmured into the breeze. “ButIhave covered her corner in webs.Inice.Ina dark place.Shecan speak to me, but ifIdon’t respond, she goes away.”
Liapulled back to look at me. “Sheused to speak to me often.Idecided that ifIdid not respond, she would stop.”
“Didshe?”
“Eventually, yes.”
Ibit my lips, hesitating on my next question. “Canshe be healed,Lia?Maybewe don’t need to destroy her, maybe we just need to?—”
“She’sbeen broken longer than she’s been good.Rememberthat.”
Istraightened my shoulders, nodding. “Ihaven’t seenMoiratoday, so if she returns, please let her know when we’ll be back.”
“Iwill.”
Ismiled and left her side, walking the path that led to wherePompeiiandMychaelembraced each other as they said goodbye.Mychaelwhispered something in his ear, andIslowed my pace to give them privacy as they shared a long, deep kiss.
Ibent down to pull a few yellow blossoms growing in a patch along the dirt path, waiting until the last possible second to leave.Ihadn’t been so hesitant in leaving at our companion celebration, but now, so much had changed.
Iwas growing our child.
Icouldn’t go throughRev’sportals.
TheBlightresslived in the minds of those touched by diseases of theBlight.
She’dhad a stillborn child, andLiahad left her.
