From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(127)

“I needed him to go with Kithvaryn,” Jala sighed as she pulled the blankets closer around Legacy. With the weather, she should take the child below, but the holds of the ship were stifling and held the overwhelming odor of rotting fish. “I wish we could have gone home first,” Jala added in a wistful voice.

I wish we had just gone home. I don’t understand why you must marry Ash. He isn’t right for you, Marrow grumbled.

“We’ve talked about this. I’m not getting married for love. I’m getting married for power. I need the armies he will bring to Merro,” Jala said in an exasperated voice. No matter how many times she tried to explain the concept of political marriage to Marrow he simply didn’t understand.

He cowered from the Divine, Marrow pointed out in a disgusted voice.

“We’ve talked of that too. The Soulreavers have a superstitious fear of Death. They believe her to be the only god and not a very nice one,” Jala repeated the words for what felt like the hundredth time.

Just saying, if you don’t cower you should have a mate that doesn’t cower, Marrow grumbled.

“I did, and his lack of cowering got him killed!” Jala snapped and instantly regretted raising her voice as Legacy began to squirm in her arms. He was always fussy when he woke early from a nap. “Shh. I’m sorry, love,” she cooed, rocking the child in her arms.

Perhaps you should try for one that is brave and thoughtful rather than rash and fearless, Marrow suggested. The Bendazzi had been harassing her with this line of conversation since they had set sail. No matter how carefully she explained her plans to him he ignored her.

“Know any of them that have a very large army on standby?” Jala asked with sarcasm lacing her voice.

Do you even know you will need a very large army? You are Divine with the blood of War in your veins. Maybe you are a one-woman army and simply don’t realize it, Marrow said with an indignant sniff.

“Please stop, Marrow,” Jala pleaded as she continued to rock Legacy who was at the verge of tears. Slowly she stood up and began to pace the deck, hoping the movement would help soothe him. He was growing so fast due to her magic it was possible he was beginning to teethe. That would only make his fussiness worse. She had considered removing the magic and allowing him to age at a normal pace, but in light of what was coming, it seemed a better plan to let him grow enough to be less dependent on her. It was a morbid path to follow, but she didn’t like the thought of her son suffering if something happened to her.

Ash stepped up beside her as she turned back to the rail once more. The Soulreaver smiled faintly at her and nodded his head toward the ocean. “You can make out the edges of Seravae now. The smaller shapes are uninhabited islands but if you look past them you can just make out the coast of the Sword Isle.” His voice was soothing and even Legacy stopped fussing as he spoke.

Jala moved closer to the rail and peered out across the rain covered distance in the direction he indicated. She could barely make out the rocky coast through the murk of the day, but what she saw wasn’t impressive to her. Glancing over at Ash she nodded and tried to force a faint smile onto her face. To her amazement Ash laughed at her expression.

“It isn’t much to look at, is it? It really doesn’t get any better inland either,” Ash said with the amusement still clear on his face.

“I’ve never seen you laugh before. Or even really smile for that matter,” Jala stammered, still staring at the Soulreaver in amazement.

Ash looked down at her and raised a pale eyebrow. “Did you think I was serene all of the time?”

“Well yes, actually,” Jala admitted, still staring at him.

Ash laughed again and shook his head at her. “I have a lighter side, Jala. I just try to be professional when I am working. Till this point, in every contact we have had, I have been working.”

“You considered it working? I’ve never once paid you for any help you have given me,” Jala replied, shaking her head at him slightly. It was a relief to see this side of him. She had pictured a marriage with him as being dull and lifeless. To see him actually laughing gave her hope, though. There was a possibility that their agreement could become friendship or possibly even more with enough time.

“Money isn’t everything, Jala. I often work for free if the task is a worthy one,” Ash replied with a smile. He leaned forward on the rail, his eyes locked on the distant rocks. “I won’t miss this place at all, after we have gone. I can’t think of a single pleasant memory from the islands,” he mused.

Have you left Kithvaryn yet? Neph’s voice broke through her thoughts like thunder and all thoughts of conversation with Ash vanished.

I have and you don’t have to bellow at me Neph. I can hear you just fine, Jala replied wincing a bit from the link.

Go home. Do not come to Seravae, Neph ordered in a voice that brooked no argument.

I can scarcely do that, Neph. I can see the shores of Seravae right now. What has happened? I thought everything was settled, Jala sighed, wondering if every plan she made in her life would become a mess in her hands. It seemed things could never simply go as she hoped. Everything had to be complicated.

Everything was worked out perfectly until last night. Now everything is a bloody mess. Do not come here, Jala, Neph said with frustration thick in his voice.

What happened last night? Jala asked wearily.