Page 23 of Oaths & Vengeance
He urged his horse forward, leaving me to sputter. “Arrogant prick!”
Darrow just laughed in response.
The rest of the ride only had one close call. Midway on our journey, a group ofchiggarbatscame out of the dark forest at breakneck speed, coming straight for us. Black scales covered their bodies, except their heads, which had dark fluffy fur inhabited by blood-sucking mites that could jump onto other victims. They also had broad wings and sharp teeth, able to cut deep into their prey. Fae, with any sense, avoided them at all costs, considering their viciousness.
Darrow lifted a hand and forced them into a different direction, but he didn’t kill them.
“Why did you let them live?” I asked, surprised.
He glanced back at me. “They keep thewiggarwartpopulation under control, so they have their uses. My aunt would wring my neck if she found out I harmed a single one.”
Wiggarwarts were small, furry ground rodents that fed on plant roots. They were harmless to fae and other creatures but could decimate a forest if their numbers grew too great. Chiggarbats were their most active predator. Considering the rate at which we were losing fertile land, we couldn’t take any chances. It made sense to let them live and do their work.
“I look forward to meeting your aunt if she strikes that level of fear into your heart,” I said, grinning.
He grunted. “Durelle is possibly the only one with such power over me, but I’ve known her since I was a small child. It is doubtful anyone else will ever accomplish such a feat.”
The implication that I’d never succeed at the same hung in the air.
“The rumors claim you have no soul.” I didn’t think that was true, especially if he cared about his aunt, but I barely knew him.
“Hmm, I’ve heard that, too,” he said, then rode ahead to leave me in silence.
We didn’t encounter any more dangerous creatures, though I continued to sense them nearby. It was a relief when a moderately sized log cabin appeared with lantern light filtering through the closed curtains. The place looked warm and inviting despite the eerie location. Trees surrounded it except the narrow road we’d used to reach it.
Jax and Loden dismounted first. One helped Briauna from her mount, which was good since she rarely rode anymore and had to be stiff and sore. The other took the reins of my horse from me while Darrow grabbed hold of Rynn.
As we made our way to the cabin, the door opened, and an older woman with gray hair in a bun appeared. She wore a dark blue dress that covered her softly rounded form. Her gaze immediately went to her sister, and a smile spread across her face. Briauna rushed as fast as she could on stiff legs, hugging her. They spoke for a moment before gesturing the rest of us inside.
Durelle accepted a kiss on the cheek from Darrow when he passed and then motioned for him to take Rynn into the next room, where I glimpsed a large bed with a silver metal frame. The cabin was cozy and warm, thanks to a large fireplace in the sitting area, which took the chill from my skin.Faina kissed her great aunt politely as well upon entering before settling on a small couch across from the hearth. Jax and Loden took seats at a sturdy wooden table at the back of the room where finger foods and drink pitchers had been left out.
Briauna guided me to her sister. “This is Aella. She is the one who requested you help her cousin, but I’m the one who suggested it.”
The healer studied me for a moment. “I’ll do my best for Rynn. I’ve no doubt if Briauna says she is worthy, then she is, but I should warn you there is a catch with doing this.”
“What?” I frowned. “Darrow didn’t mention anything.”
“He wouldn’t have said, I’m sure.”
I took a deep breath. “Tell me.”
She glanced toward the bedroom as Darrow came to join us, wrapping an arm around his aunt to give her a sweet hug. I was surprised by the gentleness of his expression when he looked at her. Not a hint of his usual coldness lurked in his gaze. He appeared like a doting nephew and certainly not someone lacking a soul. Did that mean he was capable of affection with more than just her?
“I’m only strong enough to do this one more time,” Durelle said as she pulled away from him. “But this won’t only be a healing. She will take my powers into herself as well, assuming the duty.”
Briauna cleared her throat. “I talked to her about it before coming, and she understands the outcome. She’s agreed to do it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, giving her an accusing look. That was a significant detail. My cousin would have the ability to cure diseases no one else could, and who knew how my uncle might use her if he found out.
She patted my arm. “You have enough trouble with other matters, and this was Rynn’s decision. Not yours. Some regular healing powers come with it, so we should be able to hide the rest from everyone else.”
I prayed to the nameless ones that she was right. “Is that how the gift is always passed along?”
Durelle nodded. “Usually. It was that way in my case, but if I died without transferring it, then the universe would have chosen who should take it after me. There is always one of us in the world.”
“Okay, so what’s next?” I glanced between the sisters. “Is there anything I can do?”
Briauna gestured toward a rocking chair by the fire. “Sit and relax. I’ll assist my sister while the rest of you wait here.”
