Page 74 of Queen of Vengeance

I didn’t have to tell her of the horrors I endured.

She knew somehow. She always knew. “Continue being strong for me. I will not abandon you. If there is any way to get you out of here, I will find it.”

“I’m trying.” My bottom lip quivered.

It’s funny. I thought I would be much stronger when she arrived, but I felt like a little girl again.

“I know, baby. I know.” She pulled my head forward and kissed my brow for a long while.

“I’m sorry, but she and the baby need to come with me now.” The lanky guard hung his head, disappointed in his own duty.

“So soon?” The words barely left my lips.

My lungs felt weak.

“I don’t want to cause you any problems here.” Mema squeezed my hand, trying to hold herself back.

I handed her Jason and leaned close. “There’s a potion in there for Jason. Please follow it exactly and give it to him. That’s all I can do to protect him from here.”

She gave me a small nod—one that was so slight only I was meant to pick up on it. She helped Jason close to her chest and looked at me one last time. “I love you, sweet girl. Remain strong for me.”

I felt like my heart was leaving my body. I covered my mouth to prevent my sobs from being heard.

Before I knew it, they were gone.

The emptiness quickly crawled its way inside of me.

I curled up on my side and wallowed in my pain. What else was there to do about feel? And I had all the time in the world to do it…

26

KOLLA

Cold wind whipped against Kolla’s face.

Jason cooed next to her, appearing to appreciate the fresh air.

The Anterra mountains weren’t quite as harsh during the summer as they were in the winter.

Even still, Kolla was having trouble scaling the steep mountains. It had taken her well over a week to reach a midway point. Luckily, she was resourceful and able to forage food for herself. She kept Jason content with the Milk Suckle flower, which grew plentiful on the mountains. Part of her wondered how feasible it would be to remain in the mountains forever.

Without Lea there, the family home was too quiet.

There were so many beautiful memories, but the painful ones sullied it.

Not to mention, having the house owned by Diesel was unsettling and distasteful.

But what could she do? Her family home was either going to be owned by a murderer or taken out from under her. Neither were desirable prospects, but at the time, Kolla thought Lea would be home.

“My Lea. I do hope you’re staying strong for me. I haven’t given up on you.”

Jason began pumping his tiny fists in the air before letting out a screeching cry.

“Oh, my dear boy. Whatever is the matter?” Kolla collected the baby in her arms and hugged him. “You must be hungry again.”

She dragged her bag closer to her, riffling through it for the spare Milk Suckle she picked earlier.

The velvet petals tickled the ends of Kolla’s fingertips, letting her know she had found it. The lily-white flower glistened against the relentless summer Solare as Kolla removed it from the back and placed its stigma on his lips.

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