Page 77 of Queen of Wrath

Emory motioned her over to him. “Follow me.”

Her brows furrowed slightly in confusion, but she followed him out to another area—one she had to recognize. It was the room she’d woken up in after her fight with Diesel.

“Come. Sit.” It was rare to see Lea wearing something other than her Potionist robes. Emory couldn't help but find himself distracted by how good she looked in everyday clothing.

The soft, pale rose color of her dress worked in perfect tandem with the glow beneath her skin.

Due to the many experiments Emory had undergone throughout his time being imprisoned by Diesel’s organization, his vision didn't work the same way it used to. Sometimes he could only see flashes of light and shadows. At other times there were even colors and distinct shapes he could make out.

For a long time, he had thought he was blind. It had taken him a long while, but eventually, he learned to work with his new senses.

Her hands slid delicately down the backs of her thighs, holding down her dress as she sat down on the couch in front of him.

Emory’s mouth went dry, but his words still came out cool and collected. “I have something for you, if you'll indulge me.”

“Well, I'm already here, so I might as well.”

He couldn't tell if she was joking or not.

She was so different now from when he’d first met her. There was this shroud of anger and darkness that constantly loomed over her now. It weighed down her soul.

I don't really think the key to taking down Diesel lies with his wife… I think the key is Lea. Not by destroying him, but by being better than him…

He knew he couldn’t tell the rebels that, they wouldn’t believe it—and neither would she. No, he had to do something else…something that would remind her of the person that still lives inside her beneath all that anger and need for revenge.

Emory shut his eyes, holding his hands out in front of him, one with the palm directed up and the other one hovering right above with his palm facing down.

Bring forth what I see.

Strands of his hair began to float, as if gravity no longer affected it.

Then his face warmed like the sun was beating down on it, despite them being inside and at night.

Emory could see the vision clearly in his head… The mint plant. The one thing that had offered her some semblance of hope in her darkest hours. He knew that plant well.

Suddenly, there was a weight in his hand.

He opened his eyes and looked down to see a small potted mint plant nestled in his hand.

Lea jumped off the couch and looked on in astonishment. “How did you do that?”

“One of the more favorable side-effects from the experiments they did on me.” Emory then extended his arms, handing the plant over to her.

“What's it for?”

His heart was heavy in his chest, wondering if she even remembered anymore. “Sometimes all we need is a shred of hope.”

She continued to look puzzled until she ran her fingers over one of the leaves, catching the scent of mint.

Realization seemed to hit her like a comet.

Her eyes went wide and filled with tears.

She slowly covered her mouth with her shaking hand. “After all this time, you still remembered.”

“Watching you have hope from something so small gave me hope as well. That's part of what's kept me going for so long.” Emory placed his hands under hers, cupping the plant.

She looked up into his eyes, and for a moment, Emory saw the woman he’d met in prison seventeen years ago.

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