Page 116 of Oaths & Vengeance
“Your sister and I have been married for over four months, so I assure you, we have not taken her hostage,” my husband said in a smooth, compelling voice.
Priyya slammed the door on us.
“That went well,” I said wryly, pulling away from him.
Darrow snorted. “She likely needs a few minutes, but I’m sure she’ll come around momentarily.”
He had more faith in her than I did.
“Did you have to blurt out the news like that?” I asked, turning to look up at him. “Or put your arm around me?”
He arched a brow. “I thought it was best to get the nature of our relationship out of the way, and holding you without any resistance on your part emphasized my point. It was also worth seeing the look on her face before she shut the door.”
“I’m going to be lucky if she ever speaks to me again.” I sighed. “Do you have a subtle bone in your body, or are you always so domineering?”
Darrow gave me an amused look. “I am not without finesse when the situation calls for it, but you’re the one who has demanded the rougher side of me.”
“Seriously?” I threw up my hands. “You know she can probably hear us since her windows are open, right?”
“Why do you think I said it?” he asked, wickedness dancing in his gray eyes.
I smacked him in the arm. “Do not make me regret last night.”
“Or this morning,” Jax said dryly. “We all heard how things went after your argument. No one was the least bit surprised you both came out with big smiles on your faces afterward.”
Faina snickered. “It’s a wonder Aella is walking normally.”
“I think I liked it better when you all were unfriendly,” I said, shaking my head at them.
The door suddenly opened, drawing our attention back to the house.
Priyya ran her gaze over everyone else before letting it fall on me. “Have none of you any shame?”
I shrugged. The others answered with various versions of “no” that sounded more proud than embarrassed. I couldn’t believe how much things had changed between me and them since yesterday, yet I felt much more comfortable with them than before.
“They’re here with me for a good reason, Priyya. We have some information about the Naforya Fountain, but we need your help to follow up on it,” I said, knowing that much would trigger her curiosity. After our mother died, she tried to resume the search for a while but didn’t get far.
Her gaze sharpened. “Really?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “If you’ll let us inside, I’ll explain everything.”
She hesitated. “Are you sure they’ll behave?”
“Aella can’t give that guarantee,” Jax said from near the steps. “But we promise to try.”
Darrow put a hand on my shoulder. “I promise if anyone gets out of line, I will send them back outside.”
Priyya scrutinized him. “I’ll hold you to that.”
“As you should.”
She chewed her lip for a minute, which I understood since we were throwing a lot at her without time to work through it all. “Alright, you all can come inside, but take your dirty boots off at the door.”
No one argued.
By the time we explained everything to Priyya and had lunch with her, I’d recharged enough for us to return to the portal gate. She’d agreed to accompany us to the capital city, Tuireen, where the realm had the most comprehensive library. My sister was still unhappy and more than a little skeptical about my secret alliance with the Veronnians, but the importance of the Naforya Fountain helped her put aside her distrust for the moment. We’d made a strong case, though it helped that she trusted my judgment.
It had been years since I’d visited the large druid city, which had over two hundred thousand residents. It sprawled for miles and miles. Some homes and shops were constructed near ground level, although the base floor began six feet above ground level with support beams underneath. They built most structures along the large doak trees that grew everywhere in northern Alavaar. Since they reached two hundred feet in height and up to fifteen feet in diameter, they could easily hold the weight of the houses.
