Page 75 of A Baron of Bonds
“It tore her apart, whatever happened in that land.”
I swallowed tightly, our hands still in a firm grip.
“But nothing seemed to eat at her more than getting back to you. I’ve seen her angry before, Revich. I’m sure you have, too.”
I chuckled in agreement.
“But I’ve never seen her look like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like she did when she was ready to tear this castle down to get to you.”
My heart beat furiously, uncomfortable that I was so far away from her. “She is a powerful woman.”
“She is. And she needs you.”
I nodded again and moved forward, clasping him across the back, thankful he was there to catch her when I could not. “She has me, Geyrand.” He slapped my back just as heartily and I repeated, “She has me.”
Chapter 38
Karus
Each one ofthem had different reactions.
Each one of them was angry, relieved, or excited in their own way.
Moira’s wings beat furiously as I spoke of the Blightress’s land, of the Grower, of the monsters that had chased us in the woods.
Figuerah was furious I had followed her into that hole in the ground. Like Revich, she thought there were better options than blindly following an ancient woman into a blighted tunnel.
Then there was Clairannia. She was upset for me and had plenty of empathy toward what I had been through, but was angry for an entirely different reason.
“Karus, I really am sorry for what happened to you, but did youhaveto do it? You really could not wait until you were back in Felgren? All that planning, all that preparation and you go and do the ceremony without us?” She huffed and fell into one of the saffron chairs. “And in that! You worethatto your own ceremony? Your gown just arrived and you chose to show up inthis.”
She pointed to my laced-up copper dress which had been mended enough through magic that it looked a bit frumpy.
I looked down and pulled on the lace. “It’s not so bad. It looked a lot nicer during the ceremony. Besides,” I stated, putting my hands on my hips, “it’s not like Revich cared what I was wearing anyway.”
“I’m sure he didn’t,” remarked Figuerah.
“Yes, yes, he loves you regardless of what you wear and all that, butKarus. He would just die if he saw you in this gown—it’sgorgeous.”
“Let me guess. You brought it with you.”
“Of course, I did! Your message said, and I quote, ‘P.S. Rev and I are going through the companion ceremony tonight. I’m sorry, but we can’t wait any longer.’” She huffed again. “I don’t even know how you were able to do it yourselves, but I was not going to let you get away without seeing his reaction to you in this dress. I told you years ago that your love story would end up like this, and I refuse to let you get away without some kind of public party.”
I laughed and bent down to hug her in the chair. “For you, dearest, for you.” I kissed her cheek and she grinned. She’d always had a love of romance, and who was I to deny her the ending she wished for?
“I don’t know how to say this delicately, so I’m not going to try.” Figuerah interrupted. “Have you been using styris tea?”
“Of course! I mean, most of the time.”
“What is styris tea?” Moira asked, sitting up from where she lay on the table, picking at the little cookies left there.
Figuerah sighed. “I know it’s not my place to say, but a child right now would probably not be the best thing.”
“I know. We do want children…eventually. It was only one time. We’re fine. Right, Clairannia?”
