Page 129 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Lanna?”Sae’svoice sounded from outside the tent. “MayIcome in?”
Witha teasing smirk,Lannacalled, “Pleasedo!”
Saelynlifted the flap and stepped inside saying, “I’vebrought you some—oh!”
Seeingme there brought a flush to her cheeks, oneIcertainly hadn’t seen on her face whenI’dkissed her last night outside of her room until our lips were a puffy, brilliant crimson.
“Goodmorning,” she said lightly, twisting her lips to the side with eyes that sparkled my way.
“Morning,”Ireturned with my own wicked grin on my lips, neither of us bothering to acknowledgeLanna’sstifled laughter.
Seemingto remember why she had come,Saeshook her head and swiveled toLanna.Holdingout a basket, she said, “I’vebrought you some fresh linens.I’mhappy to change the ones that are…soiled.”
Lannapeeked into the basket, nodding and giving her thanks.
“Ialso wanted to give you this.”Shepulled a dagger the size of her palm from between the fresh sheets.
Lannatook it, looking up in surprise. “Forme?”
Saenodded emphatically. “Iheard that the hilt of your dagger broke—the one you used to kill the muri that attacked you.Detailsget around quickly here.”
Lannaeyed me. “Indeedthey do.”Shestudied the knife further, andIleaned in to admire the hilt, woven in a pattern of ivy, ending in a deep green stone.
Lannatraced the vines with her fingers, tapping the bottom. “Isthis…rhyzolm?”
“Yes!”Saecheered, taking a seat next to her.
Itook a decent glance at the long length of her legs in the black pants she wore and did my fair share of thinking about how soft the skin of her neck had felt asI’dkissed it last night.
“Myuncle showed me a hidden staircase in the castle.Itled to the old castle guards’ quarters andIfound this.HesaidIcould keep it and that it’s a sturdy dagger.”
“Truly, it is.Thankyou,Sae.”Shebent forward in a wince to hug her. “Iwill cherish it.”
Saereturned the embrace, laughing, “I’dhope you’d use it!”
“CommanderLanna?”
Weturned at the unmistakable voice ofClairannia.
“Aren’tIso lucky for such a visit this morning,”Lannamumbled then called, “Comein!”
Clairannialifted the flap, surprised to see the three of us. “I’vecome to look at your wound and assess your state for duty.”
Lannahuffed, rubbing the side of her leg. “MustI?”
Clairanniaheld up a jar of something pink. “AndI’vebrought a salve to ease the pain and tightness of your wound.”
Lannatilted her head side to side, deciding, “Alright.Thatalone is worth it.”
Clairanniashifted closer andIheld my hand out toSae. “Shallwe?Lannagets a little cranky if she hasn’t stabbed something in the morning.”
Saetook my hand, grinning broadly. “I’dsay she deserves to be cranky after what she’s been through.”Thennoticing the split of my lip, she lifted her hand to touch it. “Whathappened to you?”
“Heclaims he tripped on the way back from escorting you to your rooms last night,”Lannacalled, now lying back in the bed whileClairanniachecked her pulse.
Saelifted my knuckles up to the light. “Andwhat?Youcaught yourself on these?”
“It’sodd,”Clairanniachimed in, “Aeytahcomplained about similar injuries she healed from two otherRunnersjust this morning.Thoughtheir cuts ran deeper, andIbelieve some broken ribs were involved.”
