Page 139 of The Blood Traitor

Kiva reached out to trace her fingers over his lips. “I have a few reasons to want to stay in Vallenia. I suppose that can be one of them.”

The uncertainty and worry faded from Jaren’s expression, his eyes dancing as he said, “A few reasons, huh?”

Kiva leaned up and, ignoring the pinch of pain in her stomach, touched her mouth to his. “At least one.”

He growled in the back of his throat and snaked a hand behind herneck, holding her to him and deepening the kiss, his tongue flicking out to tangle with hers, making her gasp.

But then her gasp turned from pleasure into pain when she tried to shift closer, her stomach screaming its protest.

Immediately, Jaren stilled, his eyes heated but apologetic as he eased her back into a resting position.

“No kissing until you’re all better,” he said in a firm voice.

Given how breathy he sounded, Kiva was absolutely confident she could change his mind. And she would — but maybe in a few days, when she didn’t feel as if her insides were going to tear apart every time she moved.

In an attempt to help cool them both off, Kiva said, “I’m afraid to ask, but... what happened on the bridge? At the end, I mean. After I... fell unconscious.”

Jaren knew what she really wanted to know, and he answered, his voice as gentle as possible, “Zuleeka is locked in the palace dungeons. She — I’m sorry, sweetheart, but she hasn’t shown any remorse. Tor tried to speak with her, but she just screamed at him, calling him a traitor and shouting at him to go away.”

Kiva closed her eyes and, this time, made herself ask, “What’s going to happen to her?”

Jaren’s arms tightened in comfort as he quietly said, “The Royal Council has sentenced her to Zalindov.”

Deep down Kiva had already known the answer, but it was still distressing to hear. She burrowed her face into Jaren’s chest, wishing things could have turned out differently, but knowing they had no other choice. Zuleeka had stolen a kingdom. She’d killed people, too many to count. She wasn’t like Mirryn — they couldn’t just exile her and expect her to go quietly. Even without magic, she was too dangerous, too volatile, and as Jaren had said, she was showing no remorse.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Jaren said again. “If there was any other way —”

“I know,” Kiva whispered, not needing an explanation. “I know.”

They fell silent after that, just lying there, holding each other. For the first time since waking at Silverthorn, Kiva didn’t feel the lure of sleep, and she soon began murmuring more questions to Jaren. She asked about the battle, how many people they’d lost, how much damage the palace had sustained, and what the plans were to rebuild. She asked how the Evalonian citizens were feeling about having the Vallentis family back in power, and what his thoughts were on the unexpected new alliance with Mirraven. She asked about the Eye of the Gods and whether the dagger had been secured — to which he confirmed it was now safely in Vallentis possession. Question after question poured from her mouth, with him filling her in on everything she’d missed while unconscious. In the middle of it all, Tipp woke, and Jaren had to physically restrain him when he launched out of his chair to hug Kiva, reminding the young boy that she still needed time to heal.

They had more visitors then, with Caldon sneaking out of his own room and Cresta appearing suspiciously soon afterward. Then Ashlyn and Torell arrived, both visibly relieved to see Kiva awake — Tor especially, judging by the shuddering embrace he gave her and the way he said she was never to worry him like that again. At her request, he and Ashlyn recounted their side of the battle, and the lead-up to it from when they’d arrived in Vallenia, including Tor saying, with some embarrassment, how easy it had been for him to convince the rebels to fight. Kiva wasn’t surprised — she still remembered her visit to the rebel camp outside Oakhollow, how everyone had worshipped him as their general.

Rhessinda appeared shortly after that, carrying a gift basket full of chocabuns that Kiva promptly began stuffing —carefully— into her mouth. They helped ease the sadness she felt when Torell shared that heand Rhess would be following Ashlyn back to the central army base at Highworth Keep once the palace clean-up was complete. He claimed it was so they could work together on a strategy to help the rebels assimilate intonotbeing rebels, but Kiva knew it was more than that. She saw it in the way he and Ashlyn kept sneaking glances at each other — and she heard it in the comical way Rhess grumbled about being “that awkward third wheel.” But it was clear that she, too, was excited for their next adventure — and equally clear that she would follow Tor wherever he went, not for any romantic reasons, but purely out of loyalty.

More visitors arrived throughout the morning, with Naari popping in and out a few times to check on Kiva, and even Eidran dropping by once, not saying anything, just nodding and leaving again. Captain Veris also made a brief appearance, though he did so while escorting Queen Ariana and Oriel, who wanted to see for themselves that Kiva was well.

Unfortunately, Healer Maddis decided to check on her then, finding the room bursting with people, one of whom was an escaped patient. Worse, Oriel had brought Flox with him, and the silverbear was currently in the process of building a nest over Kiva’s feet. Maddis took one look at the creature before turning her eyes on the rest of them, then simply pointed her finger at the door. Immediately, everyone began to scramble out of the room — even the queen.

Kiva would have laughed, if not for the sudden exhaustion that hit her in the wake of them leaving, something Healer Maddis tutted about as she forced the contents of another vial down Kiva’s throat.

Before she could drift off, Kiva managed to slur out one last question, asking the Matron Healer if the offer was still open for her to become a student.

“As I told you once before,” Maddis said kindly, “you will always be welcome at Silverthorn.”

Hearing that, tears burned Kiva’s eyes, a deep contentment filling her as she saw the future laid out for her. Just like her dream.

The next few days passed by in a blur of sleep and bitter tonics before Healer Maddis finally declared Kiva stable enough to be released. After that, it took a week for her to walk without wincing, and another two before she was able to commence light training with Caldon — who had returned to full strength much more quickly.

It was agonizing having to wait while her body healed itself, but given the alternative, Kiva was just grateful to be alive.

One month after her release from Silverthorn, Kiva stood in the courtyard of the winter palace, shifting nervously from foot to foot. Not even the picturesque backdrop of the Tanestra Mountains could calm her in the face of what she was about to do. But she knew it was time — she’d already put it off for too long.

“Ready?” Jaren asked, holding out his hand.

Kiva sighed and linked their fingers. “As I’ll ever be.”

Together, they turned to their friends, all of whom were waiting patiently around the courtyard’s fountain.

---