Chapter 30
Aella
We traveled through the ring, two at a time, with Darrow by my side as we stepped into the courtyard last. Everyone stood back and waited for us, trepidation in their features as they gazed at my so-called “murder garden.” Did they have to call it that when my plants were usually sweet and loving?
I didn’t make it two steps before tripping over something wrapped in a blanket lying on the ground. My husband grabbed my arm before I smashed my face into the stones.
“What…?”
A groan came from the large, misshapen lump. My jaw dropped when my cousin Tadeus peeked his head from the edge. His copper-red hair was in wild disarray, and dark circles lined his eyes.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
He scrambled out of our way so we didn’t have to stay crowded together, along with the carts we’d brought. “Ulmar is trying to kill me.”
“What do you mean? What happened?” I looked around as if I’d find my other cousin—the evil one—somewhere nearby.
Ulmar had been Lord Morgunn’s oldest and favorite son, whereas his youngest was a constant disappointment to him.
I had hoped that since my uncle’s death, things would have gotten better.
Tadeus slowly climbed to his feet, keeping the blanket wrapped around him. “I happened to see something I shouldn’t have three days ago. Ulmar caught me, so I ran in here where I knew Darrow’s wards would keep him and the guards out.”
“You’ve been stuck in here ever since?” And he’d had no way to contact me since sebeskas didn’t come in here with all the dangerous plants, except for Darrow’s, and only when he’d sent messages to me. They were braver than most birds.
My cousin nodded. “Yes. I was hoping you’d come sometime soon for your plants.”
“Have you eaten?” I asked.
“A little from the bushes and trees that grow food, and I used your secret passage to reach the kitchen once. I barely escaped getting caught, though,” Tadeus said, rubbing his pale face.
I checked his fingers, relieved to see he hadn’t lost any. “Glad you thought to use gloves with the snapperberries.”
They were not going to be coming with us. I’d only grown them for my uncle, and they had terrible attitudes. Not to mention, they would be cumbersome to bring back.
His lips twitched. “I’ve seen you pick them before.”
“Oh, right.”
Darrow frowned at my cousin. “What did you see that would make your brother want to kill you?”
“He was meeting with dark elves in the woods just outside the keep, and it was obvious that he was friendly with them,” Tadeus said, grimacing.
“I’d seen him ride off and thought he was acting suspicious, so I followed him.
It wasn’t until I started to sneak away that my horse panicked when it saw a snake.
The noise drew his attention, and he spotted me.
If I didn’t have a faster stallion, I’d be dead. ”
My husband swore. “We suspected he was working with them, but I didn’t think he’d let them come this far north into Therress.”
“It’s even worse than that,” Tadeus said, glancing nervously toward the arched entrance. “I’ve seen his followers gathering anyone they deemed disloyal and executing them. He’s preparing to bring Karganoth soldiers into the keep. Also, I saw his new wife yesterday. She’s one of them.”
“You’re kidding,” I said, unable to believe it.
If that was the marriage Ulmar and my uncle had planned, then how had they thought they’d get away with it? Had they known for all this time that the dark elves would assassinate King Worden? They’d set up the betrothal in the spring.
“I wish I were wrong, but I saw her when he came to taunt me again yesterday evening. She’s beautiful and terrifying,” he said, shuddering.
I turned to Darrow. “Do you have any idea who that could be?”
“Your cousin describes many women from Karganoth.”
I smacked him in the arm. “If you want to stay on my good side, you’ll never say that again.”
You’re beautiful when you’re jealous, wife, and I have eyes only for you.
He was doing it again, trying to be sweet. Save it for the bedroom, Dare.
Only the bedroom? I thought we established that many places can work.
I shook my head. Not when there are cows—that one is off the list for sure.
You’re so obsessed with the cow that I’m beginning to think you actually enjoyed it watching us while it ate hay, but you’re ashamed to admit it, he said in a teasing voice.
Never in a million years would I confess to something like that. Can we get back to more important matters?
Very well. No more cattle voyeurism for now. Darrow was silent for a moment before running his gaze around the garden. It appears your cousin is not safe here and should find somewhere else to go.
I threw up my hands. Where? Before Karganoth invaded, I would have said Porrine, but that’s no longer an option.
Perhaps you could send him to the Andalagar.
Chief Orran wouldn’t even let Sariyah stay there, and they’ve been courting each other, I said, feeling torn about my cousin.
Darrow was quiet for a moment. The only way I can bring him to Veronna is if he stays in the dungeon.
No. I shook my head. That’s cruel.
We won’t treat him the same. He will have to be blindfolded on the way there and sleep in a cell, but he’ll receive regular meals, and all his other needs will be met. No torture, he said, as if that alone would make me feel better. It was a horrible place to stay.
Will he have to wear iron shackles? I asked.
Only the cuffs, not the chain. We can’t risk him finding a way to free himself and getting loose in Darynia. My father wouldn’t want him roaming any of our other towns and villages. The dungeon is the only way.
I sighed, unsure what to do. I’ll think about it and decide whether or not to offer it to him before we go.
Very well.
“Are you two speaking telepathically?” Tadeus asked, glancing between us in surprise.
Jax sighed from where he stood behind us. “It’s a new situation since they completed their mating bond, and we’re all still getting used to it.”
He was still grumpy from us waking him up early.
During breakfast, Darrow and I spoke into each other’s minds because it was private, but Jax got annoyed by our facial expressions.
He definitely wasn’t a morning person. Since it was only eight, I supposed he still hadn’t had enough time to become his usual cheery self—at least, what passed for it.
Rynn rolled her eyes at Jax. “It’s better than hearing some of the things they shouldn’t say out loud.”
Yesterday, after Darrow and I had sex, I might have said something inappropriate in the corridor as we headed for the great hall for a late dinner, not knowing she had come up behind us. “One time, Rynn, and I said I was sorry.”
“I have a young and virtuous mind,” she said, though her eyes twinkled with amusement. “What if you ruin the last of my innocence?”
Jax snorted. “You’re already seeing more than you should, tending the injured.”
Rynn really enjoyed going out to give the other healers some relief in the border and coastal towns once the latest battles ended.
It was the same rotation as her mentor, and everyone swore she made a huge difference when she went.
Still, I hated to expose her to those horrors, especially since soldiers on the battlefield were wounded in all sorts of places that she had to see.
My one consolation was that they ensured she was well protected and promised she’d stay far from any danger.
“I’m happy for Dare and Aella. They’re never going to settle into their marriage if they’re apart all the time, so it’s good to see them together,” Loden said, moving a little past us to peer at some of my friendlier plants, at least in appearance.
The paradogans—a medium-sized flower with delicate petals—had bloomed in my absence and looked incredible, with their orange, brown, and yellow blossoms. They behaved like normal plants as long as no one whistled.
Bad things happened then. I had a warning sign on the wall above them, so hopefully my helpers paid attention.
If they didn’t, well, I’d scream “run” and hope we all made it out alive.
On that note, we needed to get back on the topic of why we came here.
“Alright,” I said, moving toward the storage area next to the paradogans. “I’ve got containers stacked here that we can put the plants in for transport, as well as gardening tools for digging. Use whatever you need so we can get this done quickly.”
Everyone huddled together as if that made them safer, except for Loden, who didn’t seem as intimidated as the rest of the group. Perhaps his being half druid helped. Darrow stood in front of them all and lifted an expectant brow at me.
“Perhaps, dear wife, you could give your garden a speech so that we can be assured of our safety,” he suggested. I noted a hint of amusement in his gaze. Of course, he wasn’t really scared since his telekinetic ability would make it easy to stop the plants from assaulting him.
“Yes, of course.” I clasped my hands together and focused on the flora surrounding me. “Listen, we are going to take you to a new and better home where you’ll be happier. I can’t get all of you at once by myself, so please be kind to my helpers. Is that clear?”
I sent out a wave of peaceful energy toward them, grateful to have that gift from my druid side.
The effect was almost immediate. All the plants seemed to relax, except for the crunchertrap near the archway entrance.
It looked a little miffed. I’d have to steer everyone away from that one, but I’d planned to do that anyway.
The poor thing didn’t have its best friend anymore.
In fact, it was painful to see the numerous gaps in my garden. Nearly half my plants had lost their lives the day my uncle sent soldiers in here, and I’d had no time to console them properly or replace the ones I’d lost.