Page 57 of Oaths & Vengeance (Realm of Zadrya #1)

Aella

T he night after my disastrous birthday trip to see Darrow, heavy rain poured down on us.

It was rare for late summer and sent my plants into a growing frenzy while also encouraging weed growth.

Two days later, I set aside time to pull weeds and prune bushes.

Sariyah had taken a week off to visit me at Ivory Castle and joined me in the garden.

She understood how much I needed a friend right now with everything happening in my life, and I loved her for it.

“If this plant licks my cheek one more time, Aella,” she began, clenching her eyes shut as it did it again. “I’m gonna…”

“Be grateful it likes you so much,” I finished before she said something to offend the tullipworm.

The plant was very affectionate and harmless as long as she didn’t upset it.

If she did, the saliva, for lack of a better term, could insert an element into its secretion that would make her skin itch for days, no matter how much she washed.

Sariyah hadn’t spent enough time in my garden to know all the species' personalities.

She only knew which ones were carnivorous to avoid them.

It was the reason I had her pulling weeds near the less volatile plants.

She sighed as she pulled more errant sprigs.

“I know this is all my fault. If I hadn’t given you that snapper berry bush seedling for your twelfth birthday, maybe you wouldn’t have morphed this garden into such a hazardous place.

Honestly, the elf who sold it to me said they were difficult to keep alive, but it would be fun to watch you try. ”

“I love you to this day for that,” I said, bumping her shoulder with mine. Our hands were filthy from digging in the dirt, or I would have patted her on the back.

She cast her gaze skyward. “And I’ve cursed myself ever since for that terrible idea.”

“Aella,” Tadeus called from the archway. “Is it safe to come in here?”

I beckoned to him. “Sure. Just bow to the crunchertraps before you pass them.”

“Bow?” he asked.

“Think of it like a secret password,” I said, sharing a sly grin with Sariyah. “I’ve been teaching them, so they’re less hostile to people I like.”

He gave me a dubious look. “I feel better when you threaten them before I try entering.”

“Tadeus, stop being a baby and get in here.”

My cousin eyed each of the crunchertraps warily, then gave each of them perfect bows that would have done justice to the king.

Then, he straightened and marched forward.

He nearly jumped out of his pants when both plants leaned forward to rub themselves against him as he passed, but I suspected they were merely pleased with his show of respect. My plants had feelings, after all.

As Tadeus continued, he eyed some of my other cantankerous plants and gave them bows as well. Sariyah and I watched him, bemused, as he slowly made his way toward us, carefully using the stepping stones since we were about ten feet off the main cobbled path.

“Honestly, I think you grew this whole place just to vex me, Aella,” my cousin said as he stopped a few feet from us. One of the tullipworms reached out and licked his hand, making him shout. “Ahh!”

I sighed and shook my head. “It’s not my fault you are at odds with nature.”

“At least I grow friendly plants back home,” Sariyah said, giving me a pointed look.

“Anyway.” Tadeus gave us perturbed looks. “I came to tell you that Orran sent an invitation for you to visit this evening and have dinner with his people. My father already has plans and will be leaving within the hour—no idea what he’s doing—so I’m to escort you there.”

That was rather last-minute notice, but if the Andalagar leader wanted to see me, he must have a good reason. “Fine, but Sariyah is coming with us. Her grandmother was from the southern tribe, so he shouldn’t object.”

“Do you think I’ll get to see a Pegasus?” Sariyah asked, eyes lighting up.

I nodded. “The Andalagar have hundreds in this territory alone, so they’re hard to miss.”

“Oh, I’m definitely coming with you.”

“That settles it.” Tadeus looked us both over. “You ladies have two hours to bathe and change before we go, so I suggest you finish here quickly.”

We stepped out of the portal onto the Andalagar territory.

As before, the waves crashed onto the beach a mere fifty feet away with the current tide.

A cerulean turtle slowly worked its way along the sand, paying no attention to us as we passed but often lifting its head when the water touched its feet.

This place was such a serene location that I wondered who put the ring here long ago. Most others were placed more strategically, depending on the area’s needs. I was certain this one was built in this location for the beauty that unfolded around it.

Turning away from the sea, I found Orran and several of his warriors flying toward us, though they were still a few minutes away. We’d arrived a little early. One thing I could say about Tadeus was that he hated to be late, so he’d pushed us to hurry.

Sariyah gasped. “Those are the Pegasi!”

“Yes,” I said, enjoying her wonder. “Just take care once they land. Orran told me they aren’t fond of most strangers and will bite.”

“Like your plants?” she asked, lifting a brow.

“Something like that.”

The Andalagar tribespeople landed and dismounted. Their horses folded their wings and began to graze as their riders left them. Orran moved to me first, kissing each of my cheeks. Except for a first meeting, this was their standard greeting.

When his gaze ran over my companions, I cleared my throat. “This is my cousin Tadeus, the second son of Lord Morgunn. I’m afraid my uncle couldn’t make it on short notice.”

Orran studied him for a moment. “You’re not like your father.”

“No.” Tadeus’ lips twitched. “In fact, we rarely get along.”

“Excellent. Then you’ve already grown in my esteem.”

My cousin let out a chuckle. “I could say the same of you. Those who like my father tend to be rather unpleasant.”

“You’re unafraid to speak the truth, even at risk to yourself.” Orran squeezed my cousin’s shoulder. “Perhaps I will insist on you representing your father from this point forward.”

“Lord Morgunn won’t like it, but you’ll hear no argument from me,” he replied with amusement.

I gestured at my best friend. “This is Sariyah. We grew up together and have always been close. Her grandmother was from your southern tribe.”

The Andalagar chief’s eyes warmed. “Have you visited there often?”

“Only once when I was a child, I’m afraid.” Sariyah met his gaze. “My father decided the journey was too treacherous and didn’t allow it again.”

Since half the tribal lands were in the Oarwar desert and the other half in Veronna, it was risky for her to travel by land. Neither was safe for a three-quarter elf from Therress as far as routes went, and they had heavily warded their only portal ring.

“Couldn’t Aella have taken you there?” Orran asked, frowning at me.

“Oh, she could now, but my grandmother and mother passed before Aella’s abilities were strong enough to get us there, and my father had no interest in letting me go without them,” she said, a note of defensiveness for my sake in her voice.

“Ah. Then, I will not hold it against either of you.” He studied her for a moment. “But perhaps you should visit us more often so you might know more about your heritage.”

She smiled. “I would like that. ”

Something about how they looked at each other made me think an attraction was developing.

It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Sariyah tended to keep her relationships with men as minimal as possible, aside from casual sex.

She was behaving very differently with Orran than with others.

I’d have to watch their interaction and see how it went during the visit to be sure if I was imagining things.

“I was told you invited us for dinner?” Tadeus asked.

Orran nodded. “Yes, though that won’t be for a little over an hour. Since you have not visited us before, my men will give you a tour of the village so you might learn a little about us. If you find that amenable?”

After hearing my uncle’s description of his tour from last time, it probably wouldn’t take long since they kept it rather limited, but I didn’t point that out.

It would still be more than what they let me see of the village previously.

I only saw one building—where we ate a simple meal with Orran—before it was time to return to Ivory Castle.

“Of course,” Tadeus agreed.

“I thought I might take Aella on a walk so we can speak further about the future,” Orran said, then frowned at Sariyah. Obviously, my friend hadn’t factored into his plans.

“She should come with us.” I turned to give him a look, urging him to trust me with my eyes. “Sariyah practically knows me better than I know myself. You could ask her questions.”

Comprehension dawned in his gaze. I was implying that I didn’t keep secrets from my best friend, and he could speak plainly about whatever he needed to tell me. Thank the nameless ones, he understood.

“Very well, that does sound like an excellent opportunity.”

Orran gave his men orders, and Tadeus obligingly followed the warriors.

Thanks to my first visit, I knew the main village was only a twenty-minute walk from here.

Orran lived at a more distant location, but this was the place where they preferred to host outsiders.

They’d allow the Pegasi to graze since they could always beckon them with a special horn, each mount having a unique blowing pattern to summon them.

Sariyah and I followed Orran as he led us down the beach. I was glad he was taking the scenic route since I hadn’t seen much of the coastline during my last visit. The shore was smooth here but became rockier, with swaths of purple moss covering everything as we moved south.

A few minutes passed before the Andalagar chieftain spoke, looking at me. “I assume I can speak openly in front of your friend?”