Page 100 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Andwhat do you plan to use this shield for?”
Icleared my throat softly. “Shemight need it.”
“Isee.”
Iworked in the quiet, shaving away at the wood, carefully shaping the features of the head.Minutespassed and nothing stirred in the quiet crackling of the fire.
“Itis a lumen.”Ibroke the silence, knowing he was still there.
Irose from my black chair and brought it to the cradle which would rock our baby to sleep in a few more weeks.Myfirst gift toSaelyn, shaped from the hands of her father.Itossed the shavings into the fire and set the basket back on the floor.
“Areyou staying here all night?”Iasked.Iwaited for the answer that didn’t come, looking up to see thatAdaynthwas gone.
Myjaw tightened andIcrossed my arms at my bare chest.Itried to smile.Itried to fill my heart with the joyIhad felt every day asKaruslived with me, growing our child, challenging what she could do with her power.
Thesmile did not come.
Iglanced once more to the empty cradle and admitted in the silence thatImight never see it filled.
Chapter46
Karus
Moiracuppedthe white bloom of a morning glory in her hand, dipping her finger into the red paint she had made from the petals of a demorte flower.Shetraced swirls of scarlet around my eyes and along my neck, repeating what she’d helped me do a thousand times on my lips.
“Iremember this,”Ichuckled under the tickling of her long fingers.
“Youdidn’t hold still then, either,Karusss.”Shedrew my name out, andIlaughed, hindering her progress.
Shefinished her work and fluttered back, cocking her head to one side then the other. “Hmm.It’smissing something.”
Ilooked down at my sheer paneled dress, draped in a golden fabricIwas fairly sure a fae had woven.Twopanels fell across my newly large and cumbersome breasts, tying at the waist before spilling over my enormous belly to my toes.Twolong slits at my side rose to my hips, displaying more skin than was used to showing.
Itook a glance in the mirror of the washing room, admiring the designs she had painted on my face in preparation forTheSunWhichDoesNotSleep.Sheflew out of the room, yelling something atRevichwho waited for her to be finished with me so we could get ourselves to the fae festival.Iheard his exasperated call back to her, all the words just mumbles from whereIstood, adjusting the fabric at my chest.
“Thisis what you needed!” she squealed on her return.Sheplaced a crown of sunflowers across my white hair, andIguessed she’d torn apart the vase of them at my bedside.
“It’sperfect,Moira.”Iknocked my forehead to hers and she grinned, all sharp teeth and wide eyes.Sheherself had been painted in an intricate pattern of lines across her green skin and wore no flower clothes at all.
“Imust go.Theywon’t start without me, andI’vebeen gone too long already.”
Inodded, waving her out the door.Itook a last look in the mirror, adjusting my conduit ring on my finger, tight as it was from my swollen limbs.
Steppingout of the washing room,Iscrunched my face, closing my eyes and waiting to hear whatRevichhad to say about my faerie festival attire.
Hesaid nothing for too long, andIpeeked an eye open.
Hesat on the edge of the bed in his usual black pants and a creamy soft shirt.Moirahad told him to lose theBaronvest to make the fae more comfortable with his presence.Helooked me up and down slowly, andIfelt that pull on the line between us.Ifollowed it, walking toward him.Thegolden panels of my dress shimmered in what might have been actual sunlight as far asIknew.
Istepped up in front of him, tossing my hands in the air and down to my sides, saying, “Well?”
Helet slip a breath from his lips in a puff, looking me up and down one more time.Hetook my hand to his lips and stood, begging, “Pleasetell me there are more faerie festivals in our future.”
Giggling,Ibent my head to his chest where he caught me and lifted my chin. “No, no,Karus.Weare not smearing this…masterful artwork.Youare a glorious sun goddess, andIwill not allow even the slightest smudge untilIget you back here in my hands tonight.”
“Promises, promises,BaronRevich,”Icooed.
Hesqueezed my hand, bringing my knuckles to his lips once more for a teasing kiss and wink. “Shallwe?”
