Page 86 of Oaths & Vengeance
I clenched my fists in frustration. “You realize Darrow tells me very little despite the important role I apparently have to play in all this?”
I was tired of everyone being vague and unwilling to share important information.
“He is wise to do so.” Orran gave me an apologetic look. “As long as you’re in your uncle’s care, it is best you know as little as possible, especially with a cousin who can detect lies.”
A sigh escaped me. I couldn’t entirely argue that point, but the chief didn’t know how much pain I had already endured to keep secrets. When it came to the fountain and preservation of this world, I’d do anything to protect that knowledge. It was too bad no one could have more faith in me.
“But surely Lord Morgunn would want the fountain returned as well,” I said, gesturing toward the empty platform in the distance. “His lands are affected, too.”
“He is a man with questionable allegiances, Aella. Never trust him.”
I didn’t, not really, but it felt wrong to believe others whom I hardly knew. “So, what now?”
“We wait for your powers to regenerate enough for us to return to my lands.” He nodded at the nice, sturdy portal behind me. “Then wecontinue with this farce of courting each other a while longer so your uncle doesn’t move on to a less desirable prospect.”
“You’re truly willing to help us?” I asked, surprised.
He gave me a grim smile. “Now that I am certain of you and what you can do, yes. Continue to train as much as possible because I suspect many battles lie ahead, and you’ll need to be strong and prepared for them. You have proven reasonably adept, but there is always room for improvement.”
He wasn’t wrong. I’d been lucky in my battles today because they were singular creatures in the woods, most of which I already knew how to face through experience and studies. On a larger, more complicated scale against other fae, I’d have more trouble.
“Okay,” I agreed, no longer feeling the cold as I tried to absorb everything he’d told me. “Is there any chance you’d allow me to ride one of the Pegasi?”
He let out a deep laugh. “If you return the fountain to us, I’ll let you try.”
Chapter 37
Aella
Aweek and a half had passed since I visited the Andalagar chief. We’d returned to my uncle after leaving the mountains, with Orran praising my battle skills and magic. He’d done an impressive job showing interest in me, which wasn’t all false since he saw me as vital to returning the fountain to our world. While we’d waited for me to regain my strength, I’d explained how much pressure my family placed on me to do well at the visit. The Prime Chief had taken it to heart.
Lord Morgunn was so pleased with Orran’s report that he said I could return to the castle and continue my weapons practice at the garrison training field instead of going back to Tradain. He didn’t even mind that we hardly saw much while at the tribal lands, or that he’d mostly been sequestered to a few key places in the village. The Andalagar took their privacy very seriously with outsiders.
Since then, I spent my mornings practicing with my swords and daggers, but each afternoon, I spared two to three hours for my garden. The plants had been in poor shape due to a lack of attention over the last few months and the high heat. Rynn had watered them now and then, but she was busy with her studies and practicing her new magic, so she hadn’t been able to make it by there often. I’d snuck into the garden when I could as well, but it hadn’t been enough for my high-maintenance plants. They could have used their own nanny if the risk of that person getting eaten wasn’t so high.
After being snapped at several times, I’d had to wear gloves to protect myself. Only after they’d all received rich mulch, had the weeds picked from around them, and been given regular waterings mixed with vitalnutrients, did they finally forgive me. There was no way to explain to them that I would never neglect them willingly.
I also acquired plenty of mice and rats from the castle rodent catcher for the carnivorous plants. He was a kind, older gnome who thoughtfully held them in cages alive until I could collect them. It deeply touched me to see how good some people here were despite my evil uncle.
Now that all the plants were nourished and happy, I had turned my attention to pruning the ones that required it. To keep certain varieties healthy, it was necessary to trim any foliage near the ground to reduce the risk of disease. It didn’t happen often since the garden courtyard was mostly closed off, but a couple of times over the years, a contagion had found its way inside.
I wasn’t always able to save them in time. Though my plants could be antagonistic toward each other, they mourned if any died, and I’d spend a week dealing with sagging, depressed flora. They were like siblings that way.
My mardizold plants were a prime example of needing careful tending. As they grew larger, they also became bushier but were susceptible to contagion brought down by rain and mixed with the earth. I had to keep their foliage at least six inches from the ground.
They were well worth having if they were healthy and well-tended since the orange blooms produced a soothing, fragrant scent that could calm anyone—people, plants, and animals—within their vicinity. Their scent turned putrid and sour if I allowed them to become sick or withered.
After finishing the pruning, I spoke and comforted each plant so they knew I still cared. I had been doing it each day since returning. The positive energy in the garden had improved to almost where it had been in the spring. That lifted my spirits as well.
Finally, I left to bathe and prepare myself for dinner. I’d play nicely with my uncle and other family to avoid suspicion, and then later tonight, I’d make a surprise visit to Siggaya. It was Darrow’s forty-sixth birthday, and I wouldn’t forget his like he did mine. Revenge was best served with unexpected gifts.
I stepped from the portal into the Veronnian trade city an hour before midnight. It was still quite warm outside, so I was glad I’d chosen a low-cut sleeveless gown with wide shoulder straps, a tapered waist, and a skirt hem that only reached my knees. The fabric was royal purple, and fine lace accentuated the bodice.
It was a little strange dressing up for a man who’d been my husband for nearly four months, yet we’d never had sex. Still, after what he’d done to me at the summer court ball, I wanted to finally consummate our marriage—to find out if it would be as good as I imagined. Of course, I would have stood out in my attire, so I wore a thin black cloak that covered me from head to toe. Darrow would see the dress later.
With that thought, I moved to sit on one of the benches in the courtyard so I’d be less conspicuous, figuring my husband would find me soon enough when his tracking spell alerted him of my arrival. He should realize my uncle wasn’t crazy enough to attack a city this size and that it would only be me.
While I waited, I watched the night butterflies flit between flowers in the garden beds dotted throughout the area. They were beautiful, glowing in various pastel colors as they danced together. I rarely had the opportunity to appreciate them since I often didn’t visit gardens in the evening, and they didn’t dare enter mine since it was too dangerous. One of the plant varieties I had there produced a scent that discouraged them from getting close, which was its intended purpose. I didn’t want my carnivorous varieties eating the beautiful, harmless insects.
