Chapter 43 #2
“I believe I inherited a gift for caring for plants from my druid side, but I have also spent many years studying books about them, and trying different strategies to feed and nurture them,” I said, once again cursing myself for answering his questions.
He’d set me up, and I fell for it. The worst part was I couldn’t shut up—not about this.
“You know I told my son months ago that you were probably too good for him.” Lord Gannon cast me a side glance. “At the time, I only half believed it, but I’ve watched you whenever I can. I see why fate brought the two of you together.”
I wasn’t taking that bait. “I’d rather not talk about my marriage if you don’t mind. It’s complicated.”
He chuckled ruefully. “Aren’t they all in this family? My first wife—Hagon’s mother—died in childbirth hating me, and she was my mate. My second wife gave me two children and appeared loyal for over thirty years before betraying me for reasons I still don’t know.”
Even Darrow didn’t know the whole story about that, only that Zareen’s family had demanded it. Maybe one day we’d get her to tell us.
We finally reached the boat—bless the nameless ones—and I let Darrow’s father control it.
He’d brought his private craft, which had cushioned seats and a canopy to block the sun and rain.
I sat at the front while he controlled the magical motor at the back.
It was quieter and faster than the others, another luxury for himself.
The garden island was close to Crystal Castle, so it didn’t take five minutes to reach it.
Neither of us spoke as we moved through the gates and into the keep.
I noted two elves were out exercising the horses.
Each day, they took them for a trot alongside the inner walls to keep them in shape.
I handled my own horse most days, but I appreciated that they did it if I couldn’t.
We moved quickly into the castle and headed for the prince’s makeshift office on the first floor.
The door was wide open. Armin sat waiting at his desk, looking up when we walked inside.
It suddenly felt awkward to ask the future king to do something trivial compared to war matters, but I needed to know the truth.
How could I reconcile with Darrow’s father otherwise?
I curtsied, and Lord Gannon bowed.
Armin gestured for us to relax, confusion lining his features at our arrival. “To what do I owe the pleasure of you two coming together to see me?”
“Lady Aella wishes for you to confirm my memories about the day her father died.”
The prince nodded. “I’d hoped this topic would come up because I’ve heard two different accounts, but I’ve never been able to confirm which was the truth.
” He stood and moved toward us, focusing on the man beside me.
“Think specifically of that day. Start with when you first saw him and continue the memory from there.”
I’d once asked if people could fool Armin by faking their memories.
He said they couldn’t because anything false came from a separate part of the mind that he couldn’t access.
In fact, once he was in someone’s head, he could sharpen the images for them since time often dulled the details.
Whatever he saw in there would be the truth.
The room was utterly quiet for nearly ten minutes, which made me think they really were looking at that day moment by moment so they wouldn’t miss anything. By the time the prince turned his gaze toward me, there was a mixture of surprise and sympathy in his features.
“Your father wasn’t dead when Lord Gannon left.
Wounded, yes, but his injuries were survivable.
It also appears that Therressian forces purposely abandoned him at that time.
” He shook his head. “I cannot imagine why they would do that to their commander and can only speculate someone ordered them to do it.”
My throat swelled in anguish. The troops loved and respected my father, and he always looked out for them. Yes, I was remembering him through childhood memories, but I never saw anyone look at him with hatred or resentment.
“You’re sure?” I asked, voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m afraid so.”
I began to feel lightheaded. “I think I’m going to go lie down for a while. Thank you for your time.”
Both elves had looks of sympathy as I walked away.
Darrow was walking swiftly toward me in the corridor, stopping as soon as he came close. “What’s wrong, Aella?”
I could hardly breathe. “Ask your father…he’s with the prince.”
“Would you rather I stay with you?”
I had to come to terms with the news and what it meant on my own. “No, thank you. I just need some time to myself.”
Hurt flashed in his eyes, but he quickly covered it up. I couldn’t deal with that either right now, so I hurried away to our rooms, hoping he’d give me space. If Therressian soldiers abandoned my father, someone had arranged it. Only one person came to mind.
My uncle had coveted my powers back then and wanted to use them for his own purposes.
Could he have ordered his own brother’s death to claim me?
Did my father die because of my abilities?
Guilt crashed through me at the thought of it, and tears ran down my face as I finally reached Darrow’s and my chambers.
Being able to open portals should have been a wonderful gift, but was it also a curse?