Page 75 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Youlook so much like him.”Shesniffed and gave a stunted laugh, shaking her head. “I’msure you’re tired of hearing that, but…”Shebrushed the side of my face. “Iknow these eyes.Thishair.”Pullinga strand forward, she flattened it against my shoulder, stalling in what else she needed to say.
Ibent my head in silence, struggling to find the words to ask.ButIneeded to know.Ineeded to know what happened that day my father left us.Ineeded to know why.Ichewed on my bottom lip, the questions forming in a list in my mind.
Sheslipped off the chair, kneeling down to the sandstone floor with me, pulling my hands into her lap. “BeforeItell you how he left and where he is now,I—”Shechoked, her voice halting as she pressed the back of her hand to her mouth.
“It’salright,Mama.Howeverlong it takes,I’mlistening.”Igave her an encouraging smile. “I’monly here to listen.”
Shetook a long, shuddering breath, her gaze steady on me.Stillgreen.Greenas the trees ofFelgrenin early spring.
Shelowered her hand back to mine, clearing her throat and starting, “Thefirst thing you must understand is that your father loves you very, very much.”
PartFour
SEVENTEEN YEARS BEFORE
Chapter37
Rev
Therhyzolm hummed.
Roared.
Slidacross my fingers whileIattempted to peer into the oblivion of theBlightress’sportal.Thedark abyss would lead us straight to that cavern where she kept her heart from the world.
Idropped the stone back into my pocket with one name on my mind.
Saelyn.
Thisact was forSaelyn, the children on the isle, and those who would come to be.
Ourhome had its measures of issues, but it was peaceful.Thiswoman, this ancient being, would continue to disrupt that peace.She’dalready harvested channelers into macabre trees, siphoning their power for what?
Shehad a purpose.OneIbelieved we did not yet see or understand.
OneIfeared.
Sothere we stood, twoBarons, three channelers, and one centuries old lapis conduit, sister to the woman whose heart we sought to destroy.
Theblack portal swirled as an inky wall at the end of the dark tunnel.Karushad led us here, underneath the forest, where theBlighthad permeatedFelgrenbefore she destroyed part of it the first time.Thisis where theBlightresshad taken her months ago, and where her path led once again.
Karuspushed her hand through the portal, pulling it back quickly and confirming, “Ilyenna, we can go through this.It’snot like aBaronportal.”
Ibit down so hard, the force of it rippled through our companion bond.Ididn’t know how to make these portals.Whateverportal magic that had been taught down the line ofBaronswas not what theBlightresscould produce.Herportals allowed anyone in, regardless of how many hearts were within their bodies, whereas mine allowed just one.Herportals could remain open when a person went through, whereas mine would close.
Karustouched my shoulder, addressing all of us. “Remember, to leave this portal, show your truest, innermost desires.Youremotions must be faced.WhenIwas trapped,Ileft by giving into my anger.”Sheheaved a sigh. “Idon’t know how long we’ll be inside, but we wait.Wewait for everyone before moving forward.I’llgo first.”
“Youwill not,”Icountered, finding her hand in the dim tunnel and pulling her toward me. “Iwill go and meet you on the other side.”
“I’llgo first,BaronRevich,”Liaspoke, pushing her way forward. “Iunderstand my sister’s magic better than you.Iwill go to the other side and meet all of you there.”
Karusnodded andLiastepped forth, disappearing in an instant into the endless black.
“Howlong do we wait?”Philiusasked.
“Wedon’t wait,”Karussaid, attempting to take her hand from mine.
“Letme go before you,”Imurmured. “Please.”
