Page 73 of Oaths & Vengeance (Realm of Zadrya #1)

Aella

P riyya and I walked along the depressingly dead road toward the portal ring.

The morning light did nothing to improve the severe damage done by the blight.

It was hard to see it this way and know it would continue to worsen, but at least we had a plan to resolve the problem. That gave us all a measure of hope.

Things had changed between my sister and me over the last two days since she learned about my marriage to Darrow and our quest to retrieve the Naforya Fountain.

She still had her doubts, but my husband had been surprisingly charming and convincing.

Enough that she even let him stay that first night while the rest of the group returned to Veronna.

It had been nice getting a little more time with him, and we’d even gone to see the dragons together.

I learned that he had an affinity for animals, and even the large ones responded well to him.

“Last night was a much quieter night,” she said, giving me an amused look.

I bumped my shoulder into hers. “We weren’t that bad.”

“Maybe by your standards, but I was close to fleeing the house to find someone for myself during the middle of the night,” she grumbled.

I frowned at her. “You aren’t with that one woman anymore? What was her name…Farja, Fennia, Fanta…oh, I can’t remember.”

“Aella, none of those names are even close.” She rolled her eyes and looked away. “It doesn’t matter because she wasn’t right for me. I guess you’re lucky since your search is over now that you’re married. You looked comfortable with him, which is still hard to comprehend. ”

Darrow had left after dinner yesterday, and right after that, Priyya had interrogated me with a thousand questions.

We’d talked until late, but she still didn’t know every detail.

So much had happened in recent months that I’d kept from her.

I did tell her about Darrow’s curse and why I had to set limits with him until we could lift it.

“We are doing better now, but we didn’t start that way. It took a while for us to get over the past and build some trust,” I said, a smile pulling at my lips.

I felt truly content for the first time since getting married and maybe even hopeful for the future. The sex certainly exceeded my expectations. As long as we kept love out of the picture for now and maintained mutual respect, I could be comfortable with Darrow.

The ring appeared ahead, but Priyya stopped and turned to face me.

“Be careful, Aella. When it comes to the fountain, I believe he does have good intentions. Everyone in all the realms on Paxia wants it back as soon as possible, so there’s no doubt about him there.

I worry about what comes after that. I hear things about Darrow even all the way here.

There is a dark side to fae politics, and his name comes up often enough to be concerned. ”

I frowned. “Like what?”

“Just that he’s seen with the king and his family more often than should be normal as a second son, especially for a half-dark elf.

People think he does dangerous things for him, and the fact that His Majesty personally married you two in secret implies they must have a strong alliance,” she said, sighing.

I knew what she meant because I’d thought a lot about that, too. “So he helps the king somehow. That has to mean he’s loyal to Zadrya, right?”

“Yes,” she agreed. “But the question is, what is Darrow doing, and will it somehow affect you?”

“Next time I see him, I’ll ask him about it,” I promised.

Relief filled her features. “It might be nothing, but it could be everything. I only want my little sister safe.”

I knew she felt guilty that she had escaped while our uncle trapped me.

Priyya knew about my curse, of course, but she didn’t know how he punished me.

I’d hidden that from her and ensured Darrow didn’t bring it up while he was here, either.

There was nothing my sister could do, so there was no point in her worrying. She’d only feel worse.

“You’re the best,” I told her honestly. She was always there for me in the most important ways, and I was grateful for that.

Priyya pulled me into a hug. I breathed in her floral-scented hair, comforted that it smelled exactly like our mother’s. “Take care of yourself, and I’ll see you soon.”

She pulled away. “You take care, too. Promise?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

We parted ways at the portal, and I made myself return to Therress. It was always difficult leaving Alavaar. I found great peace there and thoroughly enjoyed my stay with my sister. It was the only time I could let my worries go and simply be me.

My uncle’s servant, Parzival, stood waiting when I stepped through the ring. He had a pocket watch in his hand and glanced at it when I arrived. “Ah, five minutes early for once. Your uncle will be pleased.”

From the tone of his voice, he was disappointed that he couldn’t get me in trouble.

“My uncle let me have a longer visit with my sister than usual, so of course, I made a point of returning on time,” I replied, smiling sweetly at him. It was very rare that I was allowed to stay more than two nights, but for some reason, Lord Morgunn had been the one to insist on longer this time.

“Yes, apparently.” He lifted his chin. “Then you should have no problem seeing my lord now in his office, where he is waiting for you.”

I considered asking him what it was about, but the stodgy servant would never tell me. “Alright.”

Gripping my small travel pack, I headed straight for the castle. He followed behind, managing to keep up with my swift pace. I wanted to get it over with so I could check on my garden. A few days away from my plants always meant plenty of work to do once I returned.

I found my uncle sitting at his desk, staring at a missive in his hand. “Close the door, Aella. ”

I did as he ordered just before Parzival reached it, getting a small thrill from shutting him out.

Then I set my bag by the nearest bookshelf.

Turning around, I found my uncle frowning.

“The Andalagar tribal leader, Orran, sent me a message today. He regrets to say that he doesn’t think you’re the right fit for him, and he prefers your friend, Sariyah.

The fool even went so far as to tell me he plans to court her. ”

My jaw dropped open. I hadn’t seen Sariyah since her last visit and had no idea they’d progressed further in their relationship.

There was a full-time portal channeler at Tradain, so she must have used him to help her get there.

If they were developing into something, that was great, but I wished Orran could have waited a little longer to share the news with my uncle.

“I’m sorry, my lord. I honestly tried, and he appeared impressed with my skills, but he didn’t seem interested in other ways,” I said, putting as much truth into my words as possible.

“That is more or less what his missive says.” Lord Morgunn set down the parchment. “But I still expected you to try harder because we need a stronger alliance with him. This is greatly disappointing.”

I looked at the floor, knowing that’s what he wanted.

“You have so much promise, Aella. I even attempted to find someone you’d appreciate more, but still, you failed to meet expectations.” He tapped his quill against the desk in an irritating rhythm. “If not for your channeling abilities, I’d send you to the mines to work.”

I’d seen him do that to others before, but never a highborn fae. Still, I said nothing because it was pointless and would only make him angrier if I gave excuses. He loved lecturing and putting me down because it made him feel better.

My uncle sighed. “Luckily for you, I need you to transport my soldiers tonight, so I will have to consider what to do with you later. Don’t think about arguing or protesting this because you lost that right when you failed to secure a betrothal agreement with Orran.”

My body went cold because I had a sense of where his point led. “What is the destination, my lord? ”

“Veronna, of course,” he said as I looked up. “You’ll find out which village when it’s time to leave.”

He didn’t trust me. First, he sent me away for several days while he undoubtedly prepared for this attack. Then, he refused to give me details. My uncle had probably been preparing this for a long time since I’d failed to be present for his last attack plans. I should have seen it coming.

I curtsied. “As you wish, my lord.”

“You may go.”

I turned toward the door, but his next words stopped me. “By the way, Ulmar will be with you today. Wherever you go, he will stay close.”

Even if I wanted to escape helping my uncle, I couldn’t with my cousin following me. I struggled to hide my horror. “Even in my bedroom?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” He waved a hand dismissively. “He’ll stand out in the hall if you’re in there.”

That made me feel marginally better. “Very well, uncle.”

Lord Morgunn didn’t bother to acknowledge me again and merely turned his attention to some paperwork on the desk.

I left the office with dread filling my chest. He had to suspect something, but I couldn’t think of any way he could know about Darrow.

I’d been careful, and no one could follow through my portals.

Everyone in my sister’s village was a druid and wouldn’t spy for him.

I never went out in Porrine this last trip without glamour. So what had made him suddenly paranoid?