Page 160 of A Blightress of Wrath
Ilyennainsisted on setting up a home in theHallowMarshes.There, she began her work on mining rhyzolm safely and more effectively whileTalonused his iumenta talents to bring cattle to the marshes for the people to raise and sell.
Wewere proud of them both and ensured them they’d always have a summer home with us.Indeed,SaelynandThevinwere two peas in a pod and the change was difficult for them.
Butthat year,Saelynwas adorably wild and three.AndasIchased her through the autumn leaves that fell in the grove of maples, her laughter sounded through the forest which she was born in—the forest which gave her the power we’d already begun to see.
Ihadn’t heard fromAdaynthin three years.I’dprobed that cavern in my mind a few times, asking after him, listening on the hard days for his voice.
SometimesIwondered ifIhad dreamt it.Iwondered if, in my desperate panic to hold ontoKarusand our child,Ihad hallucinated all those conversations, all the warnings, the pestering to keep myself sane in my worry.Karushadn’t heard from either of the ancient beings, and we decided to let that be.Wedecided to live the life we’d been given to live with our love, ourBaronship, our precious littleSaelyn.Thatwas enough.
No, that was everything.
“Watchme,Papa!”Shetwirled in the falling leaves and seeds of the maple tree grove.Herpower pooled at her feet in whorls of white, and her laugh chimed along theFelgrenwind.
Iscooped her up, tossing her into the air where she screamed in delight beforeIcaught her in my arms. “Isee you,LittleLove.”Ikissed her red cheek and she summoned an orange leaf to her hand with her power. “Isee you,”Irepeated.
Therhyzolm did not lie.
Ourdaughter was powerful.
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Saelynwasseven years old and as much a part ofFelgrenas any channeler would be.Welay on the forest floor, naming the flowers around us, calling to the birds which flitted across the sky in a symphony of white wings.Moirasat on my stomach, pasting new petals to her skirts asSaelynhanded them to her.
“Buthow do youknowthe roots of these trees give us power?”Saelynwas a curious child.Andas we waited for the summer months to arrive and her favorite person to return toFelgren, we were in a constant state of answering all of her questions as best we could.
Moira’seyes widened in exasperation just before she rolled them.
Saelynhad already asked us what each flower’s seed looked like.
She’dasked us why lumens grew so large, which had then began a conversation about the fae and what they were and where they’d come from.
Learningshe shared some fae blood through me brought her to a torrential stream of questions forMoira, most of which the faerie had replied with, “Youdon’t need to know.”
Ichuckled at my faerie friend.Shehad more patience over the years withSaelynthan any other fae would have.Iwas sure of it.
ItookSaelyn’shand in mine and sat up.Ipressed her palm to the soil, ensuring each of her fingers was covered with the fresh spring loam. “Callto the roots of these trees.”
Takenaback, she tilted her head in a frown. “How?”
Ishrugged. “Yourchoice.Dowhat feels right.”
Shechewed her bottom lip, andIshook my head in disbelief.Everyday she looked more and more likeRevichand my heart overflowed with the loveIheld for our child.
Sheclosed her eyes andIcaughtMoira’sstare as we sat quietly, waiting to see whatSaelyncould do.
Itbegan with the smallest sprouts of green crocus leaves—the first ofSaelyn’sfavorite flowers because when they began to grow in clumps of purple and white, it was a clear sign that spring had arrived and summer would soon follow.
Thestriped leaves unfurled before the blooms shone in their spring hues, each with a brilliant yellow center.ButSaelynwasn’t done.Shepushed her fingers into the ground further and roots tipped the surface, winding over her hand, up her arm and over her legs.Shelaughed delightedly andIstared in awe.
Suchpower at such a young age was rare—unheard of except for two others in this world.Oneof them was myself and the other…the other had not appeared in years.Nota sighting, not a hint of theBlightthat had coursed its way over this forest in a deathly embrace.
Saelynwas seven and she lived inFelgrenwhile the forest lived in her.
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