Page 64 of Oaths & Vengeance
He nodded. “You’re as deep into it as I am now, probably more. Please watch yourself with Darrow and try to avoid any emotional entanglements. He is very good at manipulating women to get what he wants, but rumor has it that he is incapable of feeling anything in return for them. The way he looked at you on solstice tells me he isn’t going to refrain from seducing you for long, especially since you legally belong to him. I’ve never heard of him being possessive like that, which is concerning. You shouldn’t matter to him that much.”
Darrow had made some rather shocking and colorful threats if Camden touched me again. I couldn’t decide if my husband was truly jealous or simply trying to make my life more difficult. Was it another game?
“His sister explained some things to me last night, but there’s still a lot he’s hiding.” I swallowed. “Darrow and his inner circle don’t trust me. I know they have some secret plans they hope to bring me into eventually, but I have no idea what they might be.”
Camden’s brows knitted. “I have no idea, or I’d tell you. Please be careful.”
We hugged, and he held me tightly for a moment, both of us ignoring my frustrating husband’s threats. Despite everything, part of me wished it didn’t have to end this way. Maybe we didn’t love each other, but Camden had always been good to me, and I enjoyed his company. It was hard to end it just because Darrow suddenly decided he wanted more from our marriage, even though he’d never feel anything real for me.
With one last look, I left, knowing I’d never step foot in the quarters again.
I went to my small barracks room, put away the bag, and changed into training gear. For the rest of the afternoon, I spent my time practicing with my sword and dagger. I had so much anger and resentment inside me that I managed to finish a good workout before quitting for the day.
Sariyah found me in my room shortly after I’d returned from a shower in the community washroom. My hair was still wet as I combed through it. Her rich brown locks flowed loosely around her, beautiful as always. She’d donned a light summer dress that hugged her figure and made me wishI’d brought something aside from training and sleep clothes. Sometimes, it helped to look extra nice when one needed a morale boost.
“By the look in your eyes, something is wrong,” she said, concern in her hazel eyes.
I nodded. “How about we grab food and wine from the dining hall and take it to the river?”
“Ah, I see, it’sthatbad.”
I set my brush down and began to braid my blonde hair into a thick plait. “Very. There are some serious things I haven’t told you, but I desperately need to talk about them now.”
“It felt like you were holding back lately,” she said, moving behind me to take over doing the intricate braid I preferred yet could never do right myself. “I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”
“Yes,” I agreed.
As soon as she finished, we made good on our plans, and within half an hour, we were settled at our favorite spot along the Salmar River. The fast-flowing water was wide and deep enough that one would have to swim hard to cross it. People drowned in it every spring when the winter snow thawed, causing it to swell and become too turbulent for anyone to enter except the strongest and most experienced.
It snaked through much of the western half of Therress, starting at the Sobaryan Mountains and ending at the Pazakian Sea. A rocky outcrop with a few flat boulders near a dense tree line made for the perfect place to eat and relax. It was secluded and private. We set up in our usual spot, opening the cloth sack that held wrapped chicken sandwiches larger than I could hope to finish in one sitting. We also poured wine into tin cups.
Sariyah and I ate silently, watching the occasional fish swim by from our perch. A pack of wild boars tried to come close to us from downriver, but I pushed them hard enough with my wind magic to discourage them. It was never a good idea to let them get too close.
“Are you going to tell me what has that sad and hopeless expression on your face?” Sariyah finally asked after I set aside the remains of my sandwich.
I couldn’t meet her gaze and stared at the river instead. “I married Lord Gannon’s son, Darrow, about five weeks ago. We agreed to keep it a secret from everyone except a select few and the king, who presided over the ceremony.”
Might as well tell her the most significant part of the story first.
“What?” my friend asked, dropping the water container in her hand. It tumbled down the rocks, barely stopping before the river could take it. She didn’t seem to notice. “You’re joking, right?”
“Nope,” I said, leaning down to retrieve the canteen. “I agreed to it because he has an aunt who was able to save Rynn from faebor fever and to avoid marriage to Baron Elgord.”
She took a moment to let that news sink into her mind. “And what did Darrow get in return?”
“My portal channeling whenever he wants and almost anywhere he wants.”
Sariyah climbed off the boulder and paced as much as one could along a rocky shore for a few minutes. She fired rapid questions after she collected herself, and I answered them truthfully. The whole time, I barely looked at her, preferring to keep my eyes on the water that was as chaotic as my emotions. My guilt from last night’s attack colored everything I’d told her, making me feel like a fool and worse.
Finally, she sighed and settled back onto her seat. “Please tell me the dark elf is at least pleasing to look at.”
“Enough that I wish to the nameless ones that he was uglier,” I admitted, finally looking her in the eyes and giving her a wan smile.
She cocked her head. “Is he a good kisser?”
I’d told her we hadn’t had sex, but not much more.
“Also, too good,” I said, leaning back on my elbows. “Darrow said it would be purely business between us when we negotiated, but he’s definitely changed his mind, and now I have a feeling it’s going to take every ounce of strength I have not to give in to him.”
