Page 53 of A Blightress of Wrath
Heasked what we’d all been thinking since the truth was revealed.Theair in the room tightened and silence remained.
BaronKarus’seyes hardened staring at my father.Theyseemed to have a wordless conversation that lasted long moments, interrupted whenSaeopened the dining hall door, dressed in her black skirts and cream corseted shirt.
Shesmiled at me and then glanced around, her face souring when she caught sight of her mother and theOverseershe calledPah-Pah.
TheBaronrose to greet her daughter, offering her a seat on her other side.Wesat in silence, only the tiny clinks of our forks and plates heard and echoing off the walls of green and gold.
Finally,BaronKarusset down her fork and knife, turning to her daughter. “Pompeiiwill help you finish packing.Youwill also need to say goodbye toBoros.Weleave in two hours for theSpire.”
“Wecan’t bring him with us?”Saeasked.
“Weare leaving by portal, and no lumens will be joining us.Thepeople outside ofFelgrenuse horses.”
“ButBorosis just as big as a horse,Idon’t see why he can’t?—”
“Lumensare not welcome outside of this forest.Hewill frighten the people who do not know him.Hecannot come.”
Saelynpaused, her eyes flicking to me.Inodded slightly.
“Becauseof theBlightbeasts?”
TheBaron’sdark eyes shot to me, andIcoughed into my delicate tea cup.
Shelifted her chin slightly and asked, “Whathave you told her,Thevin?”
BeforeIcould contain my coughing fit,Saereplied, “Iasked him to tell me what’s out there soI’mready to face it.Iknow about the war you’ve kept from me, andIknow why you did.”
TheBaron’seyes did not leave my face as she softy questioned, “WhydidIkeep it from you,Saelyn?”
“BecausethisBlightresswants my power.That’swhy you never trained me, isn’t it?She’dfind out somehow and would want to harness the powerIcan wield.”
“Isthat true?” my mother asked theBaron, setting her hand on my back and patting lightly asIdrank from my cup to clear my throat.
Alleyes on her, theBarontook a deep breath and said, “Yes.”
“Thischanges everything,” my mother admitted, her shoulders slumping as she moved eggs around on her plate.Sheshook her head and looked back to theBaronwith tears. “Whydid you wait?Seventeenyears,Karus.Whydidn’t you fight for him?Wewould have helped you.”
TheBaronclosed her eyes and took another deep breath.
IwatchedSaecarefully.Herentire world had been turned upside down in a matter of hours.Itdidn’t help thatIfoolishly confessed my feelings for her less than two days ago, either.Ofall the people at this table who had mournedBaronRevich’slife,Ifelt forSaethe most.
Iglanced to my own father who stared at theBaronwith a furrowed brow as she gathered herself.Icouldn’t imagine my life without him.Couldn’timagine whoIwould have become without his guidance, his ever-insistent adage that had gotten all of usWieldwrynsandRunnersthrough the worst of it.
Holdonto hope.Defythe dark.
Myfather spoke then, pushing his chair back to leave. “Weloved him, too,Karus.”Hetook my mother’s hand and squeezed my shoulder.Theyleft without another word.
Saereached out to her mother, taking her hand. “Iseveryone going to be angry with you?”
“Many,LittleLove.”
“ThenIwon’t,” she promised. “Ijust want him back.Forall of us.”
IcaughtPompeii’sside glance.Henodded toward the kitchen door, andIrose to follow him through, giving the powerful mother and daughter time together before they left their home.
Chapter28
Saelyn
