Page 15 of Oaths & Vengeance
“Okay,” I said, looking away. “So, no sex together and no children.”
“Do you have a problem with that or are you already finding me irresistible?” he asked, wry amusement in his tone.
“Uh, no.” I cleared my throat as a wave of embarrassment came over me. “The no sex part is most certainly fine. It’s just that I already have a lover, and I’m wondering what I’m supposed to do about that.”
I forced myself to look at him again.
“You can keep sleeping with Camden,” Darrow said, waving a hand. “And I will continue seeing other women the same as before. Don’t tell him about our marriage, and it won’t be a problem.”
I blanched. “How do you know about Cam?”
Sure, we’d been lovers for years, but I didn’t flaunt the relationship, and neither did he. Few people outside Tradain were even aware of it, though my uncle certainly knew I had visited one of his captains, since I often stayed overnight at the training village. Camden and I weren’tin love, but we were comfortable together, and he was very good at meeting my sexual needs.
Darrow gave me a sly look. “I have spies in your land and know much more about you than you’d think. Even the little things like your garden and vicious plants.”
A chill ran down my spine because that meant he’d studied me before tonight.
From now on, I’d pay closer attention so I could try to pick out his people. “How very resourceful of you.”
“And you’re fine not having children? Because I won’t allow it with Camden or anyone else. Even I have my limits. I won’t let another elf’s child be passed off as mine,” he said, warning in his voice.
My gaze dipped, realizing in the past few days that I’d lost any chance at a happy marriage with babies. There were no good options, but at least Darrow wouldn’t touch me, whereas Elgord would have every chance he got. “That’s fine.”
He took my chin and forced me to look at him. “What are you thinking?”
His touch was almost gentle. “It’s nothing.”
“That look in her eyes is notnothing,” Faina said, cocking her head curiously.
Darrow arched a brow. “You want children, don’t you?”
I brushed his hand away. “It was a stupid dream—the idea I’d have a happy marriage and babies. It was already gone the moment my uncle announced he wanted me to marry Baron Elgord. I probably would have thrown myself from a cliff before getting pregnant with one of his children, anyway.”
“You aren’t going to regret marrying me and fling yourself from a cliff, are you?” he asked, arching a brow.
I let out a harsh laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. As long as you don’t force yourself on me, it won’t be a problem.”
“Good. Then it’s settled.” Darrow glanced at his sister for a moment before turning back to me. “I’ll need three days to make arrangements with the king and ensure my aunt will help your cousin. If all parties are agreeable, I’ll send word on where to meet. Considering the urgency, we’ll have Rynn healed first, and as soon as your powers have regeneratedenough after returning her home, we’ll head to Porrine. How long does it take to regain your strength?”
“It depends on the level of wards on the nearest portal ring to your aunt,” I said.
He frowned in thought for a moment. “Aunt Durelle lives at the edge of the Sobaryan Mountains, northwest of our mutual border. The nearest portal gate is a thirty-minute ride from her cabin. I can temporarily drop the wards on that one if it will decrease the time you need to regain power.”
“That would be helpful. By the time your aunt heals my cousin, I’ll be strong enough to send her back with Briauna. After that, I’ll need about an hour and a half to regain enough strength to open a portal to Porrine.”
Darrow and Faina exchanged disbelieving looks.
“That’s it?” he asked dubiously. “No channeler can regenerate power that fast.”
I shrugged. “Haven’t you noticed how quickly I get my uncle’s soldiers home after an attack? I need a little more time to regenerate because I have to hold it open longer for that many troops, but your gates are rarely close to the villages, so the time they spend riding to and from their destinations is usually enough to help me regain my strength.”
Maybe they’d never put that together before or assumed we used more than one person. Most portal channelers couldn’t open more than two or three a day, with at least five or six hours between each. On the other hand, I noticed that it got even easier for me with each passing year.
“That explains a lot,” Faina said, assessing me.
Darrow nodded. “And will open many opportunities for us we have yet to explore.”
“Pleased to make you two so happy,” I said drolly.
