Page 153 of A Blightress of Wrath
Thefirst memoryIhad of my name being called on the wind was coming closer, andIneeded to make it count.
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Saelyn
I WAS TEN AND I UNDERSTOOD WHY MY MOTHER STRUGGLED TO LOOK AT ME
Ten-year-oldSaelynandThevinsat in the tall grass withPah-Pahas he taught them how to whistle through the wide blades.Ihad been curious about my father growing up.Wedidn’t speak of him.Wedidn’t admit how muchIwas growing to look like the man painted with my mother in the portrait on the endless staircase.Ihad wanted to know everything about whereIhad come from, andPah-Pahwas the only one in theFortresswilling to speak of him.
“Mymother misses him, too,”Ihad said.Evenat such a young age,Ihad been aware of the reasons she avoided my eyes at times.
“Whywould the father of your child meddle with my powers?”Iasked theBlightress.
Shelooked on with a slight upturn of her lips as a younger me pushedThevinand threw grass in his face. “Hehas lived in allBaronsand you come from two with new magic unheard of.Ido not doubt his part in what you have become.”
Myheart raced. “Thatman…that manIsaw beside my father…he is theBaronwho lives in my mother?”
“Andhas since she accepted the power of theBaronofFelgren…” she trailed and smirked my way. “Aboutseventeen years past.”
Ifrowned, watchingPah-Pahthrowing grass at us children as we rolled, each trying to pin the other.
“Arewe almost through with this magic?” she asked me, holding out her hand for me to take again.
Ishook, placing my hand in hers. “There’sjust one more.Thefirst timeIheard my name called on the wind.”Atear ran down my cheek as she echoed my name, andIknew thatIhad failed.
Chapter71
Saelyn
I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, AND I ONLY KNEW FELGREN
Alittle girlwith long black hair, ocean blue eyes, and a slight splatter of freckles across her nose lay in the roots ofFelgren.Thewarm spring sun shone down through the new leaves on the trees that danced in the breeze.Shegiggled, roots wrapping over her arms and legs, sinking her further into the earth where she summoned the power to grow the grass and flowers, tall and brilliant in an array of colors which matched the eyes of theBlightress.
“Iam asking you to give this girl a chance to live a life of love with the man who has been a constant at her side.”
TheBlightresswatched me as a young child who laughed at the grass that tickled my nose, both of us turning to hearPah-Pahshouting my name somewhere nearby.
Mychin quivered asIcontinued.Ihad taken the risk.Ihad taken the steps forward to change the path of my life, and nowIwas at the final call, the first moment of my life when it had been theBlightresswho spoke my name, weaving her voice with the winds ofFelgren. “Please,”Ibegged. “Pleasesee that my life has been a lonely one.Ihave been so afraid to lose thoseIlove becauseIwatched my mother struggle with her loss every day of my life.Don’tmake me lose him.”Istepped closer to her side. “Don’tlet history repeat itself.Yousaid you would have given everything for your child.Mymother did.Shegave everything she had to give me in this life, so let us return and leave us be.Letus mourn my father.LetThevinandIstart a life together and do what we can to healArcaynen.”
Shestared down at that little girl hiding from a half-hearted scolding, blending into the roots and soil of the earth to which she belonged.Amuscle ticked in her jaw, andIheld onto what little hopeIhad left.
Shereached her hand out to me one more time, andItook it.
“Itis my turn to live the lifeIwant.Iwill not harm your lover, nor your mother, but you,”—her eyes flashed a flood of colors—“you will be returning with me whereIwill give you love.WhereIwill show you the power you wield is endless.Timeloses meaning when you share such power…and time is forgiving.”
“No,”Iwhimpered, struggling to take my hand from hers.
Shesqueezed harder, yanking me back to her side, seething through clenched teeth, “Saelyn.”
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Saelyn
Hergrip was painful.Iflinched at the sharp point of her nails digging into my skin—the grasp of a woman determined to have the life she felt she deserved.
Felgrenwas in the midst of fall.
Irecognized the orange and yellow hues from the trees.Leavesscattered around a very young girl’s bare feet.Shegiggled, chasing them across the steps that led to theFortress.
