Page 6 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Idon’t know for sure, butIhave the feeling she was waiting until now.”Ileaned back on my hands and sighed. “Weneed you.Sheprobably understands that more thanIdo.”
“Needme how?”
“Peoplelike me—the ones who cannot wield magic—we can be useful, but not to the extent of people like you.Weboth know you’re powerful, butIdon’t think you realize the depth of it.”
Shetook another long drink of wine. “Thentell me,Thevin.Tellme of this war.Iam listening.”
PartTwo
SEVENTEEN YEARS BEFORE
Chapter5
Karus
Briefly,Iwondered howIknew.
Iwondered ifIwas sure.
ButasIpressedRevich’shand to my belly,Ihad no doubts our child grew within me.Ilet out a cry of disbelief, laughter, and joy.Everyemotion swept through our bond, together and all at once, shifting across our faces.
Hedidn’t say anything.Hedidn’t need to.
Hebeamed at me with such love, such devotion,Icried again and inhaled sharply when his other hand lifted to my cheek, brushing into my hair as he bent to my lips and kissed me.
“Karus?”IheardClairanniaat my side beforeIbroke our kiss and turned to her.
“CanI…?” she questioned, gesturing to whereRev’shand lay over my womb.
Inodded, bringing her hand aboveRev’s.
“Vennae,” she murmured, watching my face.Herown lit with glee. “It’sthere.Ican feel both of your hearts beating.”Turningto the small crowd of party guests, she announced, “TheBaronsare having a child!”
Thecheer of the crowd filtered through the clearing where we stood in cries of surprise, congratulations, and laughter.
Figuerahhad her arms wrapped around me a moment beforeClairanniajoined, my hand still clasped tightly inRev’s.
Istruggled to hear the words that spilled forth as the world around us erupted into a dozen conversations echoing at once.IheardPompeii’svoice somewhere behind me followed byMychael’s, and though we were pulled separate ways,Revdid not let go of my hand.
Moirafluttered before my face, grabbing my cheeks as tears streamed down them.Allthree of my friends began talking at once?—
“—start to make a list of what you need to eat?—”
“—don’t know how you’ll get there, butI’mcoming, too?—”
“—more,Karus.RememberwhenIsaid you weremore?—”
“—told you so, butIdid warn you,Karus?—”
“—certain routes we should take, andI’mthe best option we have to get?—”
“—grow from flower buds, soIdidn’t know why you felt like a bud somehow?—”
“Please!”Istepped out of their reach. “Giveme some room to breathe!”Iput a hand over my chest, closed my eyes and inhaled.
IheardRevichspeaking quietly toPompeiiandMychaelas more of our party guests started the music over again and danced around the clearing.
IcaughtLia’sstare in the small crowd.Hergrey eyes watched me with a sorrowful stillness.Icocked my head in her direction, questioning.Sheplastered a thin smile on her lips, shaking her head before moving through the crowd.
