Page 83 of A Blightress of Wrath
TheBlightressmust have survived.
Inthose months below the roots ofFelgren,Ihad pondered what it meant to be tied to the source of magic for the entire isle.MaybeIlyennahad been right to wish for her andTalon’schild to be born without magic, which was another thingPompeiihad come to inform me.
Theirbaby boy was born inFelgren.Healthyand unusually long, it would be a while yet before we knew ifThevinpossessed any magic.
Ihadn’t gone to see them.
Ihadn’t gone to check onRennor any of my channelers.
Ihad done nothing but wait.
“Shebreathes in a deep sleep.”Thevoice of the firstBaronrose again through my mind. “Youshould stretch your legs.Getsomething to eat.Lookafter your people,Revich.”
“Youcan go now,”Imumbled on my hands, balled into fists at my mouth asIleaned on the bed.
“No,Icannot go.”
“Thenbe quiet,”Isnapped.Thenadded softer, “Please.”
“Baron?”Pompeii’svoice drifted through our rooms.
Ijerked, startled to see him there.
“Yes?”Ianswered.
Hislips pursed in a thin line. “IthoughtIheard you speaking to someone just now.”
“No,”Ilied, turning back toKarus. “Iwasn’t speaking to anyone.”
Hecame closer in a careful glide, setting a tray ofKarus’sfavorite foods on the nearby table, arranged with everything but cinnamon buns. “Ican stay with her if you would like to see how babyThevinfairs.AndRennhas been asking after you.Ikept them all away from the tunnel as you wished, but it might be time to?—”
“Notuntil she wakes.”Myvoice came, colder thanI’dmeant.
“Shewill not wake for hours yet,Revich.AsItold you, she and your child are in a deep sleep.”
“Thefaerie has been…a nuisance,”Pompeiicontinued, pulling my black chair from the fireplace to sit beside me. “I’lladmit,I’vebeen no match for her.Indeed, only thePrincehas been able to console her.Surprisinglyso.”Hechucked, sitting back. “Hetook her to seeThevin.Shewas fascinated by his cries.”
“Youshould go.Lethim watch over her for a little while.Getsome fresh air.Ican alert you whenKaruswakes.”Thevoice ofAdaynthechoed again as it had done over the four months of waiting in that tunnel.Sometimesit had been the only thing to keep me sane, to keep me from stepping back into that portal whereIwould have wandered forever searching for her.
Othertimes,Iloathed the sound.Acruel reminder of our fates.Ofwhat befell two people who wanted only to love.It’sall we’d ever wanted, and we’d had so little time together.
“Iwill not leave until she is awake,”Irepeated to both of them in the dim light.
Pompeiileaned forward, grabbing my knee.Ilooked to him at that with surprise.
“Atleast go bathe.”Heclenched his jaw, the muscles tight on his face as he pleaded, “Showme that much,Revich.Showme you have not gone too far down the path of despair thatIcannot convince you to clean yourself up.”Asmile tugged on his mouth that did not reach his golden eyes. “Shewill not much like the smell of you, especially in how far along she has come.”
“Alright,”Isaid, leaning in to kiss her forehead.Ishuffled to the washing room with sconces already lit for me.Abath had been drawn as well, andIwondered just how longPompeiihad been in that room beforeInoticed him.
Idid question at my sanity then.
“Youhave not lost your mind,BaronRevich,” the voice scolded. “Youare barely conscious half the time and don’t allow yourself a reprieve.”
Inodded to the voice, shuffling out of my clothes, noticing fresh ones on the chair near the door.Iswirled the minty paste at the basin around in my mouth and stepped into the enormous tub, ignoring the memories of her which formed there, choosing instead to grab the soap and attempt to scrub.
Itwas hard work, and forgoing a much needed shave,Iinstead rose, drying my skin and hair quickly, donning my fresh shirt and pants before stumbling from the washing room in record time.
“Hasshe—”Istarted.
