Page 110 of A Blightress of Wrath
Ifrowned. “Youalready said you were sorry last night.”
“Imeant it then, too.”
“Justbecause you’re sorry doesn’t meanIam, and?—”
“Youreally don’t have to explain,S?—”
“Thevin!”Myvoice echoed louder thanIhad meant and several pairs of eyes darted to us.Ifelt the heat rise to my cheeks. “Wouldyou please let me finish a sentence without cutting me off?”
Heblushed as well, opening his mouth.
Ipoked him in the chest. “Don’tyou dare say you’re sorry one more time.Ijust need you to listen without talking.”
“Saelyn, you can talk and eat.Pleaseget something in your stomach.”Mymother’s tone caught me off guard as she grazed over the food on the other side of the long table.Ifumbled for a plate, the rising frustration within me begging to boil over in what would be a highly embarrassing confession of love for the man next to me.
Iwanted to tell him.
Iwas determined to tell him.
Idid not know when to tell him.
Mymother grabbed some pastries and left, heading to the middle of the room.Itossed some fruit on my plate, barely noticing what it was.Thevinplopped three strips of bacon on as well—my favorite and he knew it.
“Pleaseaccept my peace offering.”
Thecorner of my mouth tilted higher thanIwould have liked. “Fornow,”Iagreed, though my entire being begged me not to. “ButIwould like to speak to you.”Iglanced around. “Inprivate.”
Heshrugged. “Idon’t know when we’ll next get a private moment.We’reabout to go into battle.”
Ihesitated with bacon perched on my lips. “Battle-battle?We’regoing right into fighting?”
“Prettymuch.You’llbe protected though.AndBaronKarusis with us now, so we should have the power to push theBlightLineback and retake the ruins.”
Idropped the bacon onto my plate, my stomach refusing food entirely. “You’llbe in the front?Facingthose creatures?”
“Hey,” he mumbled, reaching under my hand to raise my plate back up to my face. “Thefirst rule of war is to eat when you can.I’llbe fine.I’vedone this a few dozen times.Lannais a great commander and knows how to maneuver herRunnersto allow space for theWieldwrynsto take action.”
Ifrowned at my plate and instead picked up a strawberry, biting the red flesh off the green stem. “WillIbe able to see you fighting?”
“Why?Lookingfor pointers?
“No,I’llbe looking for blood.”
“Sae,” he laughed. “I’llbe perfectly fine.Weall will.”
Itwisted my lips back into a frown.
“Look.”Hepointed to where his parents spoke to theViceroy. “Myown parents are not even slightly worried.Don’tyou think they would be if they thought their only child to be in serious danger?”
Ihuffed a sigh. “Isuppose so.”
“Andlook at theBaron.”Hepointed again.Mymother was in the cleared space of the room, maneuvering her hands in that wayIhad tried, spawning one portal after another. “Doyou think she’d be so calm if she thought her own daughter in danger?”
Ishook my head, nibbling on a piece of bacon. “WhatwillIdo then?”
“Youget to sit back and watch me cut through beasts andBlight.I’llbe sure to add some flourish to the end of my slashing.”
Hesmirked, andIchuckled, reaching out to the knives strapped across his chest. “You’lluse these?”Itraced my fingers over each hilt, three small ones in total, no longer than my hand.Ifollowed the leather down to the sword strapped to his side.
