From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(112)

“I didn’t do that intentionally, Jala,” Valor admitted with a faint smirk. “Trust me, I had no desire to be in a blizzard or try to navigate a ship through that. Honestly, I don’t even truly know how I did it. My magic has been strange since you siphoned from me. It’s a hell of a lot more powerful than I remember it being.”

Jala frowned slightly as she remembered the barrier she had encountered in Valor the day she had siphoned magic directly from him. The magic that had poured forth once she had brought the barrier down had been intoxicating, far beyond what she had expected from him. “I, uhh, well I may have bypassed a barrier and well, it’s complicated,” she muttered, trying to decide how best to explain what she had done or even if she should explain it.

The sound of the door opening spared her from trying to find the proper words. Valor rose quickly at the sound and pulled her to her feet beside him. Kithvaryn entered the room silently and closed the door softly behind him before moving to sit in an overstuffed chair near the wall showcasing the vast weapon collection.

“I apologize for my delay. It took me quite a while to convince Kara that I did not actually plan to execute any of you,” Kithvaryn said at last as he quite openly studied them. “Do not, however, take that as a promising sign. I am a man of logic and all three of you are worth coin. It would be a waste to simply kill you,” he added after a moment’s pause.

“You do realize that two of the three children you are considering as hostages are my blood relations, don’t you Kith?” Vaze murmured quietly a faint smile tracing across his lips.

Kithvaryn raised an eyebrow and surveyed them again with more interest before turning his attention to Vaze with a wide smile on his face. “I do believe that makes them more valuable, Fionaveir. You are a councilor among the rebels after all,” Kithvaryn paused, his eyes roving over his guests once more and raised a finger to his lips tapping thoughtfully. “It’s not the Avanti boy, of that I’m certain. I had no idea however that you shared blood with the Hai’dia though.”

“On my mother’s side. Jala is my niece through my father’s line,” Vaze explained in a conversational voice. If he was the slightest bit offended by Kithvaryn’s suggestion of more money, he didn’t show it. “Just saying, Kith. If you already have it set in your mind to sell them off to the highest bidder, let me know now.”

“That would depend on why they are here,” Kithvaryn said with a sigh as his eyes turned to Jala once more. The smile faded from his face and his brown eyes locked on her with such intensity that she almost backstepped. “Why are you here, Lady Merrodin?” he asked in a voice as demanding as his gaze.

“I’ve come to negotiate a contract with you,” Jala replied bluntly with as much confidence and strength as she could muster.

Kithvaryn’s laughter echoed softly through the quiet room as he glanced back at Vaze who simply shrugged. “It would seem I am in very high demand this year. You are the fourth person to speak with me about a contract, Lady Merrodin, and by principle alone you are the last I’m inclined to accept a contract with.” Leaning forward in his chair he let his eyes trail slowly across her, his gaze lingering on her torn and stained dress. “You don’t have the resources to hire me, little girl,” he said softly in a tone as cold as ice.

“I have resources that no one else can offer, General,” Jala corrected in a calm voice. “I have your son’s soul and what I want in return should be simple for a company as skilled as yours.”

Kithvaryn’s mouth hardened into a line with her words and she wondered if she had completely misjudged the man. “You wish to barter my son’s soul to me?” he asked in a cool voice.

“I wish to gift you with the return of your son to show my gratitude for the contract we have. If we do not have a contract I see little reason for a gift. Especially if you plan to attempt to sell me,” Jala corrected.

“Well, she has my interest peaked,” Vaze said with a smile.

“You cannot possibly offer me enough money to face the Avanti for you, child. The losses would be heavy and I know you don’t have the resources for it.” Kithvaryn fairly growled, his expression darkening.

“I don’t want you to fight the Avanti, General Kithvaryn. I want you to protect Goswin and currently I don’t think they have any enemies even looking at them. I want you to fortify the country I returned from the dead and ensure that it survives the war. I will fight my own battles,” Jala explained, her expression still calm despite the general’s obvious displeasure.

Kithvaryn laughed once more a cold bitter sound. “You will face the Avanti alone girl? You won’t survive the first turning of the moon once they march. Their armies will burn your sad little kingdom to the ground without hired protection.”

“Don’t underestimate her, Kith. She is Dashara reborn, I swear it,” Vaze said in an amused voice as he leaned back in his chair once more a wide smile on his face.

“Dashara barely lived past twenty and every child that has been termed Dasharan since then has died young as well,” Kithvaryn replied dryly.

“I have no idea who Dashara is or what a Dasharan is, but I have no intention of dying young. I hate to repeat myself, but I will say once again that I will fight my own battles, General. I do not need your protection. Goswin, however, does,” Jala broke in. Frustration edged her voice and she knew it, but it couldn’t be helped. Her nerves were already on edge and that was the second time she had been called Dasharan. The word had never been explained to her and she didn’t even know if she was being insulted.