Page 35 of Oaths & Vengeance
He smiled. “I’m more upset that I could have used this too—with your help.”
“Sorry.” I gave him an apologetic look. “There were so many times I wanted to tell you, but it wasn’t easy to get it in place. I was afraid of anyone finding out.”
Though Briauna had known for a while, Rynn didn’t learn about it until the night we used it to have her cured. I hadn’t seen the need for Tadeus to be aware of it since his father allowed him frequent trips away. Most likely because he didn’t like his son and preferred him out of sight.As long as my cousin used his powerful metal-working and enchanting abilities—mostly weapons—when needed, Morgunn didn’t care where his youngest son went.
He narrowed his gaze on the circle. “Wait, I recognize those stones. They’re the ones you had me work on…fourteen years ago. You said it was so you’d have them in case you needed to create a temporary portal, but you already had a set, so these were extra as a precaution. That’s what I assumed, anyway.”
“Yes,” I admitted. “Those are your work, but the ring was the most difficult part. I had it commissioned in Porrine, then snuck it in here in pieces with a special spell that would bind them back together afterward. Anyway, it was all a pain, but it’s been useful.”
Tadeus patted my shoulder. “Just trust me. I would never dream of telling my father anything that could get you in trouble.”
I believed that, but there were still some secrets he was better off not knowing.
“Thank you,” I said, then glanced at the basket of berries. “Now, I’ve got to get these to the cooks if they’re going to have enough time to make pies.”
In fact, I’d picked enough the servants could make one for themselves. With food shortages worsening due to the blight, their allotment had grown smaller while my uncle continued requiring ridiculous feasts for his meals. I wouldn’t be stingy with my fruit, though. The people here also deserved a treat to show that their hard work was appreciated.
He nodded. “Good idea. Maybe the pie will be enough to save us all from Father’s grief for a night.”
One could hope.
Chapter 15
Aella
Ipushed the food around my plate, only able to eat about a quarter of it. Lord Morgunn sat at the head of the table, rigid and regularly casting dark looks my way. The topic was still my failed betrothal.
At one point, Ulmar joined in the conversation. He suggested that I visit the king and convince him to change his mind. My uncle seriously considered that but said the king had already been quite clear in his refusal, so they must think of an alternative. Several names were bandied about by the two of them as they speculated what to do next while I cringed at each option. Why couldn’t they let it go for a while?
To my relief, the servants finally removed our plates and brought out dessert. Lord Morgunn took one look at the large slice of snapper berry pie they served him, and his ice-blue eyes blessedly softened with contentment. Some years were better than others for harvesting. Last year, it didn’t grow enough fruit to make a pie, but the nameless gods smiled upon me this spring. Perhaps they did it to compensate for all the awful things they were putting me through.
As Lord Morgunn took his first bite, he let out a moan of pleasure. “Aella, the berries this season are especially sweet. Excellent work.”
“Thank you, uncle,” I said with a relieved smile.
Part of me wanted to preen at his rare compliment, but the other part wished he’d choke on the berries. Was I a terrible niece for that? Then again, I hadn’t protested when the king and Darrow contemplated how to kill my uncle within the bounds of Zadrya’s laws, so I had already begun heading down a dark path. I'd gladly walk it if it got me free of the madman.
Taking a bite and letting the flavor burst over my tongue, I could understand the reason for his compliment. That finicky, wrathful bush had produced the best berries yet since I planted it five years ago. It was almost worth the blooms always trying to eat my fingers.
My uncle looked at Rynn. “How is your training coming along?”
“Good.” She pushed a piece of her pie around the plate with her fork. “I can already heal small wounds with no trouble.”
“Briauna told me that she’s developing her skills faster than most and will be a real asset for us,” I added. Lord Morgunn would be kinder to his niece if he saw her as a vital resource—well, as kind as he was capable, anyway.
He nodded. “Good. Too many soldiers must endure days of pain, waiting on a healer to help them after a battle. Some end up permanently disfigured because they didn’t receive treatment quickly enough. If we can reduce those numbers, we will have more who can resume their duties.”
While my uncle had a point, he didn’t have to be so callous about it. Briauna wasn’t our only healer, but she was the best and handled the most grievous wounds. The trouble was that such work took a lot of energy from her. She could only handle a few serious injuries before needing a break for a few hours.
The others could help, but none of them were nearly as proficient at repairing internal organs or shattered bones. Often, a soldier would be left with permanent disabilities if they didn’t receive treatment within the first day or two before the damage began to set. High fae could heal reasonably fast on their own and even better with help, but lesser fae were much slower. They made up the bulk of our fighting force.
The conversation continued for a few more minutes as everyone ate their pie. After dessert, I walked Rynn to her room. I didn’t tell her I’d be away for most of the night since she’d only worry. She knew the bare minimum details about my deal with Darrow, and I wanted to keep it that way. It was a price I happily paid to see her alive and well.
Once back in my room, I still had an hour before I’d need to leave. Dinner was always late and ran longer than most of us liked. On the other hand, it had helped pass the time. I changed out of my dress and switchedto a dark tunic and pants, adding a knife just in case. Darrow didn’t tell me precisely where we’d be going in his note, but he’d said the location was remote and to wear something practical. In other words, there was a chance we could run into trouble. I only hoped I wasn’t aiding in something that could hurt Therress somehow.
As time drew near, I hurried through the secret passage and then opened a portal to the same location I had used to reach Durelle. Darrow had told me that would be our standard meeting point unless circumstances required a different one. He probably didn’t want me to see any more of his land than necessary. Ironic, considering I should be living there as his wife.
It was by contract only, though. It was doubtful our marriage would ever be anything traditional, even once it was public knowledge. While I had no interest in deepening our relationship, it still hurt to think I’d never experience what it was like to have a real husband who slept next to me each night and made love to me.
