Page 137 of Oaths & Vengeance
He dropped a booted foot into the pile like a piece of rubbish. “My estimate so far is ten. The tractvines are still consuming five of them, but your other plants ripped apart at least as many. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are quite a few soldiers in the infirmary with missing parts who managed to escape as well.”
Rynn was quiet as she gathered the dead flora in a separate location. I appreciated that she took care of each one despite the fact they had no life left in them. The survivors in my garden behaved calmly with me here and gave my helpers no trouble. For that, I was grateful.
I moved on to the others who were struggling and gave them similar treatment to the crunchertrap. Once finished, I watered all the plants and performed any immediate special care they required. It was exhausting, but more than anything, I needed to help them. I could rest and finish healing later.
Darrow used my wheelbarrow to remove the body parts, though I had no idea where he took them. Some questions were best left unasked. I directed Rynn to put her pile in the compost bin I kept just outside the garden entrance. It was situated there so that servants could dispose of various waste that benefited my garden.
It took about three hours before we had accomplished all we could. My body ached, and I struggled to stay upright from still-healing injuries and heavy use of my magic, but it was a small price to pay for my garden. The plants had given their all for me.
I looked at Darrow with tired eyes. “Do you think I’ll be able to come back for them sometime soon?”
“Yes.” He looked around with a hint of pride, which surprised me. “Once we’re settled, we’ll find a new location for your garden, but I already told Ulmar that he is not to bother you when you come back to tend the plants or do anything to the garden in the meantime. Still, I’d prefer you come through your private portal and avoid him altogether. I’ve already put up a ward that prevents anyone other than us from entering.”
“Okay,” I agreed. He’d thought of everything while I still scrambled to find some semblance of order in the chaos. It was daunting after all I’d been through in recent days.
I swayed on my feet, my exertion catching up to me.
Darrow swung me into his arms. “If I hadn’t known you would protest, I would have stopped you from pushing yourself so hard. I’ll take you back to your room where you can bathe and change. Briauna will be up shortly to do a final healing and bring you food.”
“You can put me down, Dare,” I said, wiggling in his hold.
He quirked a brow. “You’ve worn yourself out. Rest and save your strength because I would like to return to Porrine in two hours if possible.”
I sighed and glowered at him even though I knew the trip to my room would be painful if I walked it myself. “Fine, but I want it noted that this is bullying behavior.”
“Whatever makes you feel better about me carrying you.”
Rynn watched us with amusement. “I’ll, uh, go pack.”
“Take only what you can carry,” Darrow said, turning his attention to her. “We will come back for the rest in a few days.”
Neither of us argued with that plan. Despite the unknowns before us, we were ready to leave this place and all the bad memories with it. I only hoped it wouldn’t take long before I could remove my plants and put them somewhere they could be happy and safe.
Chapter 55
Aella
We’d packed our bags and stood ready to go when Darrow met us in the great hall. Jax and Loden were joining us, while Hagon would stay behind with the Veronnian troops to finish the treaty negotiations.
I’d spent nearly nineteen years living here, but I didn’t feel the least bit nostalgic about leaving. Most of my time had been spent trying to avoid trouble and keeping my head down. I was tired of playing that game. Nothing held me back anymore, so I could find myself and do what was right for me. Either Darrow would appreciate that, or he wouldn’t, but that was my plan.
I was sorry I couldn’t say goodbye to Sariyah before I left. There was no way we could go to Tradain right now under the circumstances, but I planned to send her a note with a sebeska soon and see if she’d meet me on the Andalagar Tribal land. We’d be safe to talk there. Plus, it would give me a chance to see how things were going between her and Orran.
Kailin wandered into the room and made her way straight toward Rynn and me. For the first time in many years, there was a soft smile on my aunt’s face. Her shoulders were straight instead of hunched, and she’d styled her strawberry-blonde hair into ringlets that fell down her back.
Tadeus and Ulmar’s mother had even put on a green dress with floral lace that hugged her slender figure, bringing some color to her ivory skin. I was so glad to see her coming out of her shell and choosing a color that didn’t indicate mourning despite her husband dying last night.
She took my hands. “Be well, Aella. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you as much as I should have, but I wish you happiness and a bright future.”
“Thank you,” I said, pulling her into a tight embrace. “I want the same for you, too. Don’t let Ulmar push you around, and keep Tadeus close.”
“Oh, I will.” Kailin pulled back with misty brown eyes. “It will be much better now.”
She hugged Rynn next, wishing her well, too. Darrow was the last to draw her attention. She gave him an enthusiastic hug that shocked all of us, considering he was her husband’s killer. He stood stiffly for a moment before gently patting her back. There was a “help me” look on his face when his gaze met mine. I pretended to cough to cover my laugh.
My aunt drew away and smiled at him. “Thank you for freeing me and these two ladies,” she said, nodding toward us. “If I can ever be of assistance, let me know.”
It was then that I considered Kailin had been born over a century ago in Raumandia—the land north of Therress. Her father had been lord there when he negotiated a treaty with us, marrying his daughter to Morgunn as part of the deal. Prior to that, relations between the two lands had been tense, with many cross-border skirmishes.
