Page 236 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

Sighing, I nod in agreement and hand the now empty cup back to him. With a groan, I force my body to stand, gritting my teeth against the pain in my back and side, having to pant through the spasm that threatens to cripple me. The older woman glances over in concern at my pained noises and seems to be contemplating something. Determination crosses her features as she nods to herself and reaches up for a small pot on one of her shelves above her stove. Turning, she blanches when she sees me watching her, but at Wilson’s gentle smile, shehurries over and pushes the pot into my hand before spinning around and hurrying back to her corner of the room.

Curious, I lift the lid and see what looks like brown dried leaves as a strong herbal smell reaches my nose. Wilson hums when he sees the contents, and I meet his eyes with a questioning look.

“It’s cloverleaf,” Wilson informs me, lifting one of the leaves and examining it under the dim light in the room. “It doesn’t taste great, but it’s a natural pain reliever. It might help with your back. Place a couple of leaves under your tongue.”

Surprised, I look over at the stranger. Why would she help me? She doesn’t know me or owe me anything. In fact, having me here probably puts her in danger. I obviously scare her, yet she’s helping me anyway. “Thank you.” My voice is soft, but I know she hears me when she looks over in shock, not expecting my gratitude. Meeting my eyes, she pauses, then nods her head in acknowledgment.

Following Wilson’s instructions, I place two of the leaves under my tongue, grimacing at the taste, but I do feel some relief almost immediately, so I happily ignore the flavour. I turn back to my friend and gesture towards the two women. “Who are these people?”

Wilson sighs, running his hand over his face and chin, scratching at the stubble. “Good people who have had a difficult life.” His eyes run over me, and his expression hardens. “I’ve been helping them. The atrocities the king has committed… It took me becoming friends with a slave to see it.”

For a second, I think the change in his expression is due to me, but his words make me realise he was frowning at himself. Guilt lines his eyes. Wilson has been a castle magician since he graduated from the guild, so there would have been much that has happened in the city while he’s been here, but he can’t blamehimself for every bad deed that’s happened in the king’s name. However, I suspect he is anyway.

Shaking his head, Wilson looks away, unable to meet my eyes. “I can’t believe I was so blind.”

I reach out and take his hand in mine. I desperately want to comfort him and tell him not to blame himself, but I don’t have time. I have to warn him about what’s coming. “Wilson, everyone here is in danger, and from more than the king and Rhydian’s dark magic.”

As he turns to me with a frown, I explain about the elf queen and the forsaken. That I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before she attacks here, or now that I’ve rejected the king’s ‘offer,’ they might band together against us.

At some point during my explanation, Wilson sank down onto the padded bedding, horror clear on his face. “I’d heard the rumours.” His voice is a hollow whisper as he looks over at the women on the other side of the room. “They don’t stand a chance.” I know he doesn’t mean these two specifically, but all of the poor in the city, and I agree. The slaves, impoverished, and downtrodden will be affected the worst.

I perk up as an idea comes to me. “Send them to the guild.” I can see I’ve caught his attention. “Send anyone who can make the journey and needs shelter.” He stands as I speak, opening his mouth to protest, so I hold up my hand, rushing to finish. “The battle will be in the opposite direction, and Pierre will take care of them.”

He falls silent, studying me with an intense expression. Nerves twist in my stomach like butterflies as I wait for his response, and slowly, he starts to smile. “It could work.”

We talk for a little longer, going over logistics. Unfortunately, I just don’t see a way of getting those who are frail and sick out of the city, even though they are the most in need of refuge.

It’s getting late, and I can feel one of my mates—Tor, I believe—getting closer, so I know I need to leave soon. I’m just reluctant to end my time with Wilson. I have the feeling I won’t see him again for a long time. Having stood in one position for too long, I try to gently stretch, but pain immediately racks my body. It’s not as severe as before, but I would have fallen if Wilson hadn’t caught me. Leaning against him, I wait for it to pass, my breathing returning to normal as the waves of pain start to ease.

Feeling stronger, I pull away from my friend and gently twist. The dress the king insisted I wear has a low back, so as I crane my neck, I can just see the black tendrils crawling up my side before disappearing under the fabric.

Wilson watches my horrified self-examination with a frown, shaking his head in confusion. “I’ve never seen magic do anything like that before.”

“That’s because he’s not using normal magic.” I stop looking, knowing there’s nothing I can do about it now. My mind is trying to put something I just said together with a memory—flashes of dying roses—but I’m too exhausted, so I push the images aside. I have bigger things to worry about right now.

“The elves have healers, I’m sure they can help.” My voice is more optimistic than I feel. My bonds tug in my chest, my mates desperately searching for me, and I know I can’t make them wait any longer. Without realising it, I’ve drifted towards the door, their need making me move unconsciously. “I have to go.” My tone is apologetic, but he waves me off, reaches behind him, and then passes me a bundle of cloth I thought was a blanket. Shaking it out, I see it’s actually a dark cloak. Nodding my thanks, I gingerly drape it over my shoulders, trying not to set off another spasm. Mercifully, I manage it, quickly fastening the clasp and pulling up the hood before glancing down to check all of my dress is covered.

Swiftly and quietly, he takes my hand, and we step out onto the street and leave the ladies’ home, and as I turn back to thank them, I see them making the sign of the Mother, the older woman smiling faintly. Gesturing for us to leave, she drops the piece of fabric they use as a door and retreats back inside. Wilson passes me a blindfold, and I quickly tie it around my eyes.

I stick to Wilson’s side as he leads me through the lower part of the city, eventually pulling off the blindfold after about ten minutes. We avoid the main road and the patrolling priests and guards, staying on the back roads and passages. I had been shocked at the state of the small, tightly packed housing as we travelled through the city on our arrival, but the conditions are so much worse away from the main road. It feels dangerous out here. I know I’m safe with Wilson, his syrupy magic coating my skin tells me he’s using it every second we are together, but for anyone who’s not a magician…

Wilson stops me with a hand on my shoulder as we reach a corner. Instantly coming to a halt, I peer up at him through the gloom of our hoods.

“Your tribesman is just around that corner.” He gestures with a smile. My heart soars, needing to feel my mate’s arms around me, but there’s a sadness in Wilson’s eyes that stops me.

“Come with us.” Gripping his arm, I plead with my eyes. I would beg if he made me, I’m not too proud to do it. I just got him back, and I don’t want to lose him again.

Again, he gives me that same sad smile, shaking his head slowly. “I wish I could. There is too much to do here, they need me.”

That’s where he has me. How can I ask him to leave these people when he’s making a difference? When he’s helping people survive? I’ve seen the conditions they’re living in, I’ve even lived in some of the conditions they’re living in and worse. He feels this is where he needs to be. Can I really be so selfish as to askhim to leave everyone just to make myself feel better so I know where he is?

Feeling like a part of me is shattering, I stare deeply into his eyes, needing to know he understands the risks he’s taking. “Are you sure?” When he nods, my shoulders droop, but I hum my agreement. I won’t disagree with him or take away from the good he’s doing, but I fear for his safety. With protection on my mind, a thought pops into my head, something I must tell him before I leave. “Aileen and her father are coming with us. She’s safe.” His whole body seems to sag with relief as I speak, and he unexpectedly pulls me against his chest in a tight hug.

Once he’s composed himself, he steps away, but I can see his eyes are gleaming in the dim light of the houses. “Thank you.” His voice is rough with emotion, but I don’t mention it, knowing how tough it must have been to leave Aileen in the castle. I always suspected that with time, something romantic would happen between the two of them, but now, that might never happen.

Changing the subject, I ask about someone who’s been on my mind. “What about Jayne?” Grayson’s maid was the closest thing I ever had to a mother. I need to know what happened to her.

A genuine, wide smile fills his face, making a huge weight leave my chest. “She’s safe,” is all he tells me, and while I want to ask more and have him take me to her, I know it’s safer for her that I don’t know. Hopefully, she’s with her nephews far from here.

---