Page 135 of Oaths & Vengeance
I swallowed, feeling mixed emotions. I hated the man and had wished for his death many times, but it didn’t feel real without having seen it for myself. “How?”
“I broke most of the bones in his body one at a time before finally finishing by crushing his head,” he replied without a hint of remorse. Not that I’d expect any from him. “Briauna and Rynn were busy healing you and had put you to sleep so you’d be more comfortable. They’ve come two more times since then.”
Taking full stock of my body, I felt much better, with only lingering soreness remaining. “How long was I asleep? Did someone bathe me? I know I wasn’t this clean when you found me.”
His lips twitched in amusement. “You’ve slept for about ten hours. After the last healing, they gave you a sponge bath and changed your bedding. We thought you might appreciate not being covered in blood and other things when you woke. You’d been through enough.”
The only way I wouldn’t have woken for that was if Briauna kept me unconscious for that part, too, because that was certainly something that would have pulled me from my slumber. Despite my discomfort over the idea, I appreciated their thoughtfulness. I had been disgusted by my body and only able to bear it because my pain took precedence. It was a wonder that Darrow had been willing to carry me like that.
My mind turned to another point. “What about my cousins, Ulmar and Tadeus?”
“Tadeus has been confined to his room since last night. Ulmar is in negotiations with my brother, Hagon, for a peace treaty. We aren’t open to many concessions, so they should finalize it before long,” Darrow replied, studying me closely. “How do you feel?”
“Better, but what do we do now?” I asked, frowning. I could feel that the curse no longer lingered on my neck, but I’d been trapped for so long that I hadn’t dared dream of a future where I’d be free of my uncle, even after marrying Darrow. It had seemed hopeless.
“We will go to Porrine first to update the king. He knows I brought a force here to retrieve you and kill your uncle, but he’ll want the details. Also, we spread the word of our marriage for the last two days to provide an appropriate excuse for me murdering a lord in his home.”
Because that was the only way to justify it by stating that my uncle had harmed me and I was Darrow’s wife. Everyone in the great hall last night could corroborate my condition when he found me. “We’ll stay a short time at the capital while I smooth any difficulties over before I take you to Darynia.”
“Darynia? I didn’t think I’d ever be allowed there,” I said, surprised. The fact that he bought and renovated a townhouse in Porrine led me to believe that I might never live in Veronna and would always be treated as an outsider.
He traced a finger across my cheek. It was so achingly gentle in contrast to the coldness of his eyes. I should have pulled away and told him to stop being sweet, but I didn’t have the strength at the moment. Mentally, I was exhausted and a little broken from everything that had happened. Later,once I pulled myself together, I’d put some distance between us again. Something told me he knew I needed the comfort and gave it freely.
“Despite you portaling an army to Radoumar, you more than proved where your allegiance lays by saving dozens of innocents and sending most of the dark elf army into the sea. My father was impressed, especially once I told him about the price you paid for helping us in the past.”
I looked away, memories of every abuse flashing through my mind. “Can we please never talk about that?”
“If that is what you wish,” Darrow said, pulling me closer to him and his warmth. “But if you ever change your mind, I will listen.”
While I appreciated all he’d done to save me, including storming Ivory Castle, I didn’t feel that we were in a place where I could open up to him fully. Would I ever be? Maybe if we lifted his curse so that we could be free to love each other. Not now. Not when he still had too many secrets he kept from me.
“Thank you,” I said, finally meeting his gaze.
Darrow nodded. “Perhaps, someday, I’ll share stories from my time in Karganoth with you. The level of abuse you have suffered under your uncle is unjust and uncommon in Zadrya, but not as much in the land of the dark elves. I understand what you’ve endured to some degree, if that is any consolation.”
I couldn’t imagine what his visits there were like, but I’d appreciate it if he did open up about it because I still hardly knew much about him. “It would be an honor if you did trust me with that.”
Darrow’s gray eyes darkened with shadows as he eased away from me and off the bed, heading toward the door. “I’ll ask the servants to bring some food. Ideally, we should leave in a few hours after your final healing so we don’t keep the king waiting. I sent a sebeska last night, but he’ll want the full account in person.”
“This is happening so fast. I didn’t dare hope we’d reach this point, and now we’re simply leaving together.” A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, making it hard to concentrate. I’d gone from broken and tortured one day to leaving for a new home with my husband the next.
He paused from grabbing the door handle. “Do youneed more time?”
It was so hard to breathe. “Sorry. I’m trying to make sense of everything.”
I swung my legs off the mattress and tested them by putting weight on my feet. My ankles protested, sharp pain shooting through them, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle compared to before. I slowly moved toward the window and looked out, grateful someone had removed the blocking magic on the glass. A gasp escaped me when I took my first good look at my garden. While it usually brought me solace and comfort, it now brought aching horror.
So many of my plants withered away on the stone walkway, having given their lives for me. Just because I nurtured them for that purpose—should I ever need it—didn’t mean their deaths didn’t tear me up inside. They didn’thaveto help me. I couldn’t say I made them swear an oath or threatened them that they’d be punished if they didn’t. My most aggressive species had jumped between me and danger without hesitation, fighting until the bitter end in an attempt to save me.
“No,” I whispered, knees collapsing.
Somehow, Darrow caught me right before I hit the floor and pulled me close. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone whose garden was so loyal to her that they’d defend her like this. They loved you, which I can’t believe I’m saying, and that means something, Aella.”
“Except they died for nothing in the end. I’d thought they could hold off my uncle and his soldiers until I was strong enough to fight back, but he kept sacrificing more elves until my plants were overwhelmed. Who does that? Willfully sends their people to die painful deaths to take one woman?” I asked, tears streaking down my cheeks.
He pressed my face into his chest. “I wouldn’t have believed it either if I hadn’t seen the evidence. If it is any consolation, one of your crunchertraps is quite damaged, but somehow it has extended some of its roots and is surviving so far. I tried to help it earlier this morning, but it snapped at me. Rather than upset it further, I thought it best to wait for your assistance. There are a few other plants that are fighting to survive as well. Rynn has volunteered to help, and I will as well if you want to tend them first before we go.”
“Thank you. That would be great,” I said, attempting to pull myself together. His mention of my cousin reminded me of another matter. “We can’t leave Rynn here. Tadeus would treat her well, but Ulmar can’t be trusted. He’s always been vile to me and will be to her, too. Could we assume guardianship of her?”
