From the Ashes (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #3)(175)
“This is not a true reflection of him, Jala. Though it will be soon if you don’t end the magic that is aging him. He is still the small child that you remember for now. He simply prefers to be bigger in the waking dreams,” War explained with a smile.
“I don’t like being little. Devony calls me a baby and I’m not like Nathan. Nathan cries when he gets hurt, but I’m tough like you, Momma. The only time you cry is when you are hurt here,” Legacy placed a small hand over his chest. His childish face was locked in an expression so serious that Jala found herself smiling sadly in response. Leaning over, Legacy wrapped his small arms around her neck and rested his head against her shoulder. “I miss you, Momma,” he whispered again, his voice softer and she could hear the sadness more clearly.
“I miss you too, Legacy. More than I can possibly say. But let’s not waste the time we have with sadness. Grandpa said you had the entire night to play, didn’t he. We should play then,” Jala said as she gently pulled his arms free of her neck and stood slowly, his hands still locked in her own. Forcing a smile onto her face despite the hollow feeling his words had left in her chest, Jala lifted her son and spun him through the grass until he erupted into giggles. Slowing she released his hands and truly smiled as she watched Legacy stumble dizzily, a wide smile on his face. “Thank you for this,” Jala whispered to War.
“You will need this in days to come, Jala. When darkness closes on you, remember this and never forget that it was a waking dream. This is truly what waits for you at the end of your trials. You do have a happily-ever-after, Jala, but you have to fight to keep it,” War said softly and motioned her toward her son. “Enjoy what happiness I can give you, Jala. It is not nearly as much as you have earned, but it is something.”
“So it’s true,” The deep voice pulled Jala from her dreams and she blinked in the morning light. She felt Valor tense under her and pulled back as he sat up in the bed. “Do you have any idea how furious mother would be to know you had a girl in bed with you in her house without the proper rings of marriage?” The voice slowly registered in her mind and Jala could see expressions of outrage and joy crossing Valor’s face. Turning she stared in disbelief at Honor Hai’dia who stood grinning in the doorway.
“Have you ever heard of knocking?” Valor demanded, though the joy in his voice was evident.
Honor laughed and a warm smile spread across his face. Turning to Jala, he bowed deeply the smile still showing. “Please forgive me, Lady Merrodin. I couldn’t believe it was true when your man found us. We rode all night to reach home and I couldn’t wait to see for myself,” Honor said and glanced back to his brother. “Or miss an opportunity to torment Val, of course.”
“My man?” Jala asked in confusion and glanced over at Valor. They had arranged for scouts to go out this morning, but no one should have been on patrols the night before.
“Grey haired fellow. He stepped right out of the shadows on the trail and nearly caused Micah’s horse to throw him. He said you would be here. He is waiting with the others if you would like to speak with him,” Honor explained, then seemed to realize their predicament. “I’ll leave you both to dress and wait downstairs. Don’t be long, Val. Micah has so many questions, and the only one to answer them is the damned Delvay.”
Valor turned to Jala as Honor closed the door and his smile seemed to lighten the room. “I couldn’t ask for a better morning. To wake up beside you and then find out that my brother still lives. I doubt there is anything that can take the smile from my face today.”
Jala returned the smile and leaned over to kiss him. Pulling back she nodded toward the door. “Let’s not leave them with Neph too long then,” she suggested as she climbed from the bed. “I left my armor in the other room,” she realized with a sigh and pulled her robe back on.
Valor looked back at her from where he was dressing and grinned wickedly. “I prefer the robe.”
“I don’t want to greet Lord Micah in a bathrobe,” Jala objected with a grin of her own. “I’ll meet you downstairs. Don’t wait for me,” she said quickly as she left the room.
Pushing the door open to the master bedroom, Jala started toward the bathroom then paused as she spotted Vaze seated at the small table. With a casual wave he motioned toward the bed and Jala turned to see her freshly cleaned gear waiting for her. Her eyes widened as she spotted the black staff lying near her pile of armor and she turned back to Vaze, an expression of shock clearly written on her face.
“Next time you lose that weapon would you please try to make sure it’s not in serpent infested waters?” Vaze asked with a faint smile.
“You retrieved it from the sea?” Jala gasped as she crossed to the bed quickly and plucked up the staff, wrapping her hands tightly around it. Jala could feel the energy humming through the weapon and looked up at Vaze in confusion. She had drained the weapon fully in Goswin yet it brimmed with magic.
“I did, and Symphony charged it fully for you. She wants to help so badly, Jala but her hands are tied. Faramir has convinced her that in order to protect and hold the city she must keep all of her strength in Sanctuary,” Vaze explained as he rose slowly from the chair. “I want to help you as well, Jala, but I’m not sure of my welcome. I wanted a chance to speak with you in private to settle things between us,” Vaze said with a heavy sigh, his gaze locked on her every move.