Page 51 of A Conduit of Light
“Wereally hope so.”Clairanniaput a hand on her arm, smiling warmly. “Butreally, how did you end up withBaronRevichall night?Didyou two…”Shesmirked wryly and waited for an answer.
Ashput her elbows on her knees, her head in her hands, and blew air out of her mouth in surrender. “Yes.Wedid.”Sherubbed her face, smiling fully, the color in her cheeks rising. “I—he—”Sheshook her head, laughing. “We’retogether.”
“Obviously,”Figuerahmuttered under her breath.
“Imean we are more than whatSylvasaid.Hetold meIcan leaveFelgrenafter doing allIcan to destroy theBlight.Idon’t have to stay for the rest of my training ifIdon’t want to.Hetold me he loves me, wants me to stay, wants to…to have a future here together.”
“Hesaid helovesyou?”
“Hesaid you could justleave?”
“Iknow.It’sa lot.Andmaybe now you can see how allIwas thinking about was, well, myself.I’msorry for causing such a panic.”
“Ash.Thatdoesn’t just happen.Iknow you aren’t up to date in yourHistoryofBaronsresearch”—Clairanniapointed to the third floor across the courtyard—“but this is…unusual.”
“No, it’s unheard of.Wemoved on from that section last week during your lessons withBaronHeimlen, and there’s not a single mention of aBaronever having a companion.Notone.”Figuerah’seyes were narrowed, doubt in her voice.
“Ididn’t say we will be companions.Isaid he loves me.”
“Andwants afuturetogether.”
“Andiswillingto let you just leave.”
Ash’sbrows furrowed.Companions?He’dnever said they could be.Hejust told her he loved her, told her he’d accept her decision to stay or leave.Hedidn’t say he was willing to commit to her as companions.Andif throughout historyBaronsdidn’t have companions, why would he?
“I—Ithink it’s okay to take this one day at a time.”Ashstood, brushing her white dress smooth. “That’swhatI’mgoing to do.I’mgoing to train as hard asIcan.Weonly have until the winter, andI’msure the first signs of summer will be coming soon.I’mgoing to spend time withRevich.Iwantto spend time withRevich.Hemakes me…”
“Glow?”Figuerahfinished and tilted her head to the side. “Iknow the feeling.Andyeah,”—she turned toClairanniawho was beaming with excitement—“Ithink you should do those things too.We’rehappy for you,Ash.”
“Webelieve in you,”Clairanniaadded.
“Butfor our sakes, can youpleasejust let us know you’re safe?”
Ashnodded and pulled them back into a hug, resting her head onFiguerah’sshoulder for a moment, squeezing them both tightly.
Andas she walked away to findBaronHeimlenand begin the day’s training, her heart full, she wondered what she had ever done to deserve such friendship and love.
* * *
BeforemeetingBaronHeimlen,Ashchanged into fresh conduit clothing, wanting to look the proper part for her acceptance of her role in the saving ofFelgren.ShepassedPompeiias she walked to the doors of theFortresswho nodded to her with a sly grin.
Sherefused to be embarrassed.Shedidn’t care if the entire fortress found out about her andRevich’srelationship because there was nothing to be ashamed of.ThoughtsofSylvaflashed through her mind as she followed the path to the patch of earthBaronHeimlenpreferred to train on.
Whathad their relationship been like in the beginning?Hadhe ever confessed his love toSylva, promising things in her ear and keeping her loyal to him all the while?Shehadn’t left after all, having failed her conduit trial.Andthey still spent time together.
Shewondered if she could do that.Livestill at theFortress, serving those who resided there, stealing time withRevichas they both grew old with age.
“Ash’Arah.Please, come, we have much to discuss.”BaronHeimlenstood before her, hands clasped behind his back, the shadows from the trees around them embracing his dark frame.
“Wedo.Butbefore we start,”—she stepped up to him, standing tall, her confidence anew—“Iwant you to know thatI’mready.MaybeIwasn’t before, but…I’mcommitted to this fight.Ipromise to take it seriously, and with your help, destroy theBlight.AndIunderstand.Iunderstand why you…took me.”
Hesmiled faintly. “Iam glad to hear it, my dear.Ihave been told byBaronRevichthat you are aware that this situation is dire, and, though we don’t know why you have some connection to theBlight, you are the right one to help stop it.”Hecleared his throat. “Iam also aware of your relationship with theBaron.”
Sheflushed, having just been about ready to tell him herself.
“Thoughit does not surprise me in the slightest,Ihope you do know,Ash’Arah, thatBaronRevichis committed to me and his duty here inFelgren.Hewill continue his role, and afterIam gone, he will not fail to continue training conduits and bring magic to the isle asBaronshave done for centuries.”
“Ofcourse,” she murmured lightly, questioning his opinion of their relationship.
