Page 17 of A Blightress of Wrath
Andnow?
Nowwe were bonded companions, and she carried our child.She’dbecome my partner in theBaronship, and she’d finally found her true place in this forest by my side, holding half the power ofBaron, though far more powerful than me.
Bythe breath of my beloved,Iloved her.
Icouldn’t wait any longer.Iwas at her side, smoothing the hair back from her face where white strands stuck to her lip.
Sheturned, falling to her back and stretching her arms over her head.
Herblack eyes fluttered open and she brought a hand to her mouth to wipe her cheek.Hersmile was slow coming as she blinked up at me, the dark of her irises just as slow to flicker into a brilliant emerald green.
“You’renot supposed to be back until this evening,” she yawned, pulling on my arm to join her.
Islipped my hands over her back, tugging her to my chest, kissing the top of her head. “WhenIfelt those emotions of yours,Ifocused on getting back sooner.”
Shegrunted.
“GeyrandandViviannaare well.Theyare a happy family,”Isighed. “Iasked them to leave like we discussed.”
Shepulled away to catch my eye. “And?”
“They’rewaiting another week forVivianna’srecovery, and then packing up forHyrithia.”
Shenodded, snuggling back into me. “Good.”
“Itwas difficult to convinceGeyrandto leave.Infact, it wasVivwho really did the convincing.I’mnot sureIhad much of a part of it.Onceshe understood the danger of theBlightressliving in the north, she started packing.”Ichuckled, “ItwasMychaelwho took over cooking for a day.”
“IthinkIcould use some of his lemon ginger soup, honestly,” she murmured.
“Haveyou been able to eat anything today?”
“Notreally.”
Ikissed her temple and left the bedside to get her water.
“Thankyou,” she rasped, gulping from the cup.
“Whatwas it that upset you earlier?”
Shefinished the drink, wiping at the corner of her mouth. “TheBlightresshas a mental connection to anyone affected by a disease created by theBlight.”
Mybrows rose. “Youmean theBlackFeverand…”
“TheBlackLung, yes,” she finished. “BothPhiliusandPompeiican speak to her in their thoughts.Sheknows our plans to train more channelers and get to her heart to destroy it.Wehave to assume she knows everythingPhiliusandPompeiiknow.”
Irubbed my mouth. “Thatexplains whyPompeiileft so quickly whenIasked after you.Whatabout the channelers?Didyou?—”
Shenodded quickly. “Idid.Noneof them could find a place in their mind where she resides.”Shesighed heavily. “Shedidn’t know that our child is a girl.I’mhoping that meansIhave successfully blocked her from my own thoughts, butIneed to speak toLia.TheBlightresssaidLiablocked her out centuries ago.”
“Smartwoman,”Imuttered, pulling open the sackI’dbrought with me.
“That’swhatIsaid.”Shegrinned, taking the pearIheld out to her—the last ofGeyrand’scrop.Bitinginto the fruit, she spoke around her chewing, “Idon’t know what this means.Canwe risk takingPhiliuswith us?Canwe risk this plan at all now?”
Iwiped at a bead of juice on the corner of her mouth and replied, “Let’sthink about this.Sheknows we plan to train more channelers to destroy her heart and hopefully, dampen her power.Ifwe can weaken her…”IcaughtKarus’sgaze. “Iwon’t take any more risks.”Shelooked at me in surprise, butIcontinued, “She’sthreatened enough of you and our lives.Iwon’t be satisfied untilImyself feel that she has stopped breathing.Neitherof us can defeat her as she is.She’stoo powerful for that.Ifelt it when she came to me during your trials.Ifwe can weaken her, we?—”
Karuscupped my cheek, nodding. “Alright,Rev.I’mwith you on this.Destroyher heart, weaken her power, and then…” she drew a full breath. “Thenwe kill her.”
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