Page 159 of A Blightress of Wrath
“Youare here to say goodbye?”Iwhispered in a racing heartbeat. “Tome?”
“Toboth of you.”Shesmiled genuinely, stroking a long pale finger overSaelyn’scheek. “Shehas done more than you will ever know,BaronKarus.”Hergaze lifted to mine as she finished, “Ihave loved you sinceIfelt you.That, at least, will never change.”ShekissedSaelyn’shead and stepped closer, handing her to me.
Itook her quickly, backing away, already calling toRevichthrough our bond.Heappeared seconds later in a flash of blue light.
TheBlightressheld up her hand, blocking the ray of power that shot from his hands. “Iam not here for that,BaronRevich.”
Hestepped in front of me. “Yousaid you would leave and not pursue either one of them.”
Shenodded, folding her hands in front of her billowing black gown. “AndsoIwill.Iwanted to hold her one time.Justonce,Iwanted to feel the weight of a babe in my arms.”
IsetSaelynback into her crib as she stirred.
MovingaroundRevich,Iasked, “Whycan’tIfeel you?Howhave you gone from my mind?”
“Youstill hold my power as you will continue to do.Butit was always my choice to stay with you.”Shetook another step forward andRevichreached out to block me, butIlowered his hand, meeting her in the distance between us.
“Idon’t know why you’ve changed.Butthank you.Ifthere’s anything you could have given me, it was this.”
“Iknow,” she whispered. “Ilove you, myLittleSprout.”
Ifrowned, reaching out to her, feeling the pull of the thread between us that had been there sinceIhad grown in my mother’s womb.Shefaded into the black around her as nothing more than a trail of power that dissipated like the sound of aFelgrenwind.
* * *
Monthslater we returned to the cave.
Ineeded to see it.
Ineeded to be sure and so didRevich.
PompeiiandMychaelassured usSaelynwould be safe with them and we returned, finding the massive cavern to be just that.Empty, wet, and dark.
TheBlightress’sheart was missing with no sign of where she had gone or what she had done with it.Wordrumbled throughout the isle that the land was prospering, andIknew theBlightressmust be alive, hidden somewhere, for we magic wielders could not survive without her.RevichandIportaled through her lands, searching for any sign ofBlight.
Wefound nothing but a dead forest.
Nobeasts ofBlight, no living trees to hunt us down.
Justempty silence and an abandoned palace of white stone.
Thatnight, we returned to theFortress, the three of us nestled in our bed.Revsoftly sang the song of his mother toSaelyn, stroking her black hair as she slept.Iwatched with such love, my heart could burst from the overwhelming reliefIfelt having the two of them there—safe, and happy, just asIhad begged all those months ago whenIhad accepted the power ofBaron.
Iheld onto those moments then.Itucked them away to memory.
Ireached out to coverRevich’shand, warm and soothing over our child.Weheld each other’s gaze withSaelynsnuggled between us, and he silently mouthed the words,Ilove you.Idid the same with a smile and promised myselfIwould never forget the love in that room.
Chapter74
Rev
Saelynwas three and wild.
Everychance she had, she’d burst from the doors of theFortress, running down the steps and into the forest paths.Itwas a game we played.I’dchase her through our rooms and the foyer, and she’d run, giggling endlessly in her dresses of cornflower blue, a contrast against her black waves her mother orIattempted to braid each morning.
Saelynwas too busy for sitting down at three.
Shewanted to know everything, explore everywhere.Thatyear she lost her playmate for a time.TalonandIlyennapassed the conduit trials, finding themselves ready to leaveFelgrenand emerge into the world as powerful conduits who could bring change.
