Page 148 of Bosse
That stung. She’d promised herself she would not allow Rez to criticize her again once this was over, but she hadn’t expected to live long enough to see her again. Still, she had no patience this minute.
Alifair grabbed the ropes that were rubbing her wrists raw and pulled herself up to kneel. Better.
Since she was going to die soon, she might as well get something off her chest. “Are you criticizing me, Rez?” Before the woman could say a word, Alifair continued. “Because I’ve been through hell for a month working like a slave so I could find you. I managed to get free after you left with Krol and came here because I saw you and Magdelina here in a dream. I walked away from the one person who actually cares if I live or die to fulfill my duty to our clan.”
Rez’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened into an O.
“So let me be very clear.” Alifair had a head of steam pushing her anger. “I will do this last duty, and all I ask is that you do not give me grief about it.”
Magdelina had smiled more and more as Alifair got all that out.
Closing her mouth, Rez waited a few seconds, then said, “I’m... sorry. I’ve had time to think, too much time, but I came to the realization that I should have long ago. This burden should not have been placed on your shoulders any more than the one hung around your mother’s neck. I was just upset to see you here when I’d hoped you would escape Romania to live.” Tears ran down her face. “As the clan leader, I have allowed my anger at losing your mother to turn me into a bitter woman. I’m sorry I failed you even more than the others.”
Alifair dropped her head back, feeling like an ogre. For many years, she’d loved this woman her mother had thought of as a sister.
Hearing an apology soothed Alifair’s raw feelings about Rez and the clan. Her mother would be ashamed of how she’d just spoken to Rez.
Dropping her chin back down, she said, “I’m sorry, Rez. I’m just wrung out from all this and can’t handle anyone getting on my butt right now. I may have been caught by that weirdo in the black vest, but I’m not down.”
“There is a strong woman,” Magdelina said, sounding proud of her.
Rez nodded, her crumpled face smoothing out with a smile. “You’re every bit the warrior your mother was, Alifair. I don’t want you here with us, but I at least have the chance to say I should have told you I’ve always been proud of you as you grew up. I just lost my way and wanted someone to fill the hole your mother left. My greatest error was not respecting you for that position.”
Alifair swallowed the lump in her throat. None of her clan had ever treated her badly, but they had never believed in her skills.
In all fairness to them, she hadn’t either, but she’d called on her magic more in the past few days than in her entire life, and it had answered.
Most of the time. “Where is Krol?”
“He left after tying you up,” Rez replied.
Blowing out an air of frustration over her situation, she said, “Okay. Apology accepted. Let’s all work as a team now. I’ve got an idea. I hope it works, or we’re all doomed to the same fate.”
The two women exchanged a heavy glance, and then Magdelina said, “We’re behind you all the way, and I will never blame you if anything goes wrong.”
“Neither will I.” Rez nodded, her eyes red and swollen but sincere.
Alifair refrained from telling them she’d had disastrous results the one time she’d tried this and hoped they were far enough back to be safe.
