Page 16 of A Blightress of Wrath
Ishelved that thought for later, replying, “Lia?”
“Ah, yes.Mysister has not let me into her mind in several centuries.Perhapsyou could talk her into remedying that for me?”
“Sheis clever as well if she shut you out centuries ago.”
Aslow grin pulled at my lips in the silence of her reply.
“Doyou really think this plan of yours will work?”Icould hear how she tried to hide her anger. “Haveyou thought of what might happen if you succeeded?”
“You’dleave us alone and we could live in peace?”
“Andyou?IfIam gone, what part of you dies, too?”
Iclenched my jaw. “I’dgladly give up my power if it meant?—”
“Ido not speak of your power,LittleSprout.Ispeak of you.Ifyou destroy the heart of the one who made you, you destroy your own.”
“You’relying.”
“Perhaps.ThoughIhave not lied to you since we first spoke.WhenIwoke you from those terrible, terrible years,Karus.Askyourself whyIwould choose to lie now.”
“Tosave yourself.Andyou did not make me.Mymother and father made me.”
“Nonsense.Inurtured you just as much asArahwhile you grew in her womb.Icould nurture your own child if you’d like me?—”
“Youwill not evenspeakof her.”Blackink spilled over the page of my journal, toppled from my sudden rage.
“Her?”Shechuckled, “My, my, how history loves to repeat itself.”
Shedidn’t know.TheBlightressdidn’t know my child was a girl beforeIhad accidentally said so.Thatwas hope that what she said was true, andIreally had blocked her out from my thoughts.
Itook a deep breath. “Neitherof us are the replacement for the child you lost.”
“Onthe contrary,LittleSprout.Thisis more proof that you very well could be.Justthink of all we could do together.Ihave no doubts she is very powerful indeed.”
Ishivered in the silenceIlet creep in.Myhands, clammy and sweaty, closed the journal, andIrose in haste, covering my mouth. “Youwill have nothing to do with her.Iwill never speak of her to you again.”
Icut our connection before she could reply, flying out of the study door and careening right down the corridor off the foyer that led to our rooms.
Ibarely made it to the basin of our washing room beforeIretched into the porcelain bowl.
Chapter8
Rev
Takinga moment to lean against the door to our rooms,IwatchedKarussleep.Herface was turned to me as if she’d fallen to her exhaustion, waiting for me to come home.
Shelay with her knees to her chest and her arms tucked in underneath her hair.Drooltrickled down her cheek, which was exactly howIknew she’d fallen asleep quick and hard.
Iwaited there, wanting to give her more time to rest, considering the rage and fear that had filtered through her not long ago.Ialso wanted to run to her and pull her into my arms, telling her everything would be alright, regardless of if that statement was true.
Islipped my hand into my pocket to palm the rhyzolm.Itwas the only wayIcould feel our daughter.Ithummed and thrummed, buzzing in my hand, stronger each day.
Ourdaughter.Ourlittle girl.
Iwiped my cheek.
Somehow,I’dgone from a desolate heart to one overflowing with love in the span of less than a year.Justmonths ago,I’dbeen watchingKarusas her memories returned, hoping beyond anything that she was coming back to me after seven years without her.
