Page 85 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Rev,”Irasped, hardly more than a groan from my lips.
Hiseyes shot open and he rose, reaching out to my face, his breath a rush of air as he held his forehead to mine.
“Karus,” he choked. “Pompeiiis on his way here with food and water.Areyou hurt?Canyou feelSaelyn?”
Ipried my tongue from the roof of my mouth, choking on an attempt to swallow.Hereached for a cup at his beside table, helping me sit up and holding it to my lips.Ibasked in the cool water as it flowed across my tongue, barely strong enough to take a few sips.
Hepulled my limp body to him, his hand moving across my belly, feeling for our daughter.
“She’shealthy,”Imanaged to whisper. “Ourdaughter is strong.”
Hehuffed a sigh of relief, rocking us back and forth on the bed.Ifelt his chest shaking, butIdid not hear him cry.Ifelt his anguish down our companion bond, tethered with relief and joy.
Myarms limped at my side, butItried to raise them to hold him, too.
“Youdon’t need to move,Karus.I’llhold you.”
Arush of air filled the dark room andPompeiientered, carrying a tray of food.Aflash of iridescent wings caught my eye behind him, andItried to grin asMoirakicked off his shoulder, flying to us on the bed.
Sheattempted to shoveRev’sface away from mine, screeching, “Gether up!Now!”
Heswatted the air, replying, “Whatare you doing?Stopthat!”
Shemaneuvered around his hand easily, fluttering to my shoulder and tugging at my dingy shirt. “Karus, get up!Youneed to come with me!”
“Moira!”Revichroared asIall but fell out of the bed at her tugging my sleeves. “Explainyourself or leave!”
Hecaught me easily, pulling me back to his chest whereIwanted to fall to sleep again, too tired and weak to do anything but stay still.
“DoIhave to doeverythingfor her?” she spat, flying toRevich’sface. “Gether up, now!Gether intoFelgren!”
IheardRev’sattempt to keep his cool, replying through gritted teeth with, “Why?”
Shereleased an exasperated growl. “Becauseshe’s almostdead, you hairy-faced behemoth!Canyou not feel her life fading?I’vefelt it since you brought her here!Felgrenfeels it, too!”Sheput her hands on her hips over petals of red roses. “Gether outside now!”
“WhywouldFelgren?—”
“Becauseshe’s part fae, for toadstool’s sake!”Shespat each of her next words. “Listento me!”
Revichhalted a moment in silent question toPompeii.
“Iwill help you lift her,” theOverseeroffered, setting the tray on the table and moving to the bed, pulling one of my arms around his shoulder.
Asigh of relief came fromMoira, her enormous violet eyes steady on my face. “I’vegot you,Karus.Iknow what to do.”
Sheflew to the door, waiting asRevichandPompeiihelped me limp to it.Istumbled at the doorframe, my head lolling forward.Moirasnapped her long sage fingers in front of my nose, a twinge of something floral bringing my focus back and my eyes wide.
“Staywith me,” she commanded.
Iblinked wide, stumbling forward, my eyes entranced by the shimmer of every color of her wings as she darted around the foyer and through theFortressdoor out intoFelgren.
Iblinked again at the glow of the setting sun, wondering if this was just a bizarre dream.Aline ofGrowershad planted themselves into the edge of trees that marked where theFortressended andFelgrenbegan.
“Layher down here.”Moirapointed to a grassy bed of moss and soft petals dug into the earth and shaped just my size.
Revichvoiced whatImyself was wondering. “Whendid you make this?”
HeandPompeiicarefully laid me down in myFelgrenbed as she answered, “Ican feel her in the many branches of this forest.Eversince she presented herself as fae in theGreatStream, all of us have been able to feel her life source.”
