The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(185)

Light still showed from Valor’s tent as Jala approached and she could see Bridgette’s horse tied outside. With a heavy sigh she shielded her eyes with a hand and stared straight down at the ground as she stepped through the tent flap. “I’m sorry, I know you two don’t get much time alone but I need to speak with Valor now,” Jala said quickly trying to keep the blood from rising to her cheeks as she continued to stare at her toes. She hated the thought of interrupting them, but this was something that simply couldn’t wait until morning.

“Jala, what exactly are you doing?” Valor asked calmly from the far side of the tent.

“I didn’t want to interrupt, but I need to speak with you. I’m sorry for barging in,” Jala continued.

“I meant, why exactly are you shielding your eyes,” Valor clarified, and Jala slowly lowered her hand to look up at him.

Jala had expected to find them in bed. She had expected them to be upset with her intrusion. What she hadn’t expected at all was to find them sitting calmly at a card table watching her with expressions that suggested they thought their High Lady had gone mad. Blinking stupidly, Jala watched as Bridgette tossed her cards down on the table and rose.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Valor,” Bridgette said as she turned to leave. “Goodnight, Milady,” Bridgette added politely as moved passed her to leave the tent.

“Goodnight,” Jala muttered with a faint nod. She wasn’t sure what to say in light of her entrance. It was difficult to begin a serious conversation after making yourself look like a fool.

Valor continued to watch Jala as he raised a glass slowly to his lips and took a drink, obviously waiting for an explanation. “Have you grown shy about gambling?” Valor asked when the silence stretched between them.

“I didn’t realize it was cards that kept you both entertained each night,” Jala mumbled as she inwardly cursed Jail. She knew the Mind mage had known the truth of the situation and she was sure beyond a shadow of doubt he also knew what she had assumed. He had set her up for this and she had stumbled headlong into it.

Valor nodded slowly and waved a hand toward Bridgette’s vacant chair. Her cheeks flaming with embarrassment, Jala crossed the tent and sat quietly. “So what is it that you need to speak with me about so badly?” Valor asked as he raised his glass to his lips once more.

Jala closed her eyes and settled more comfortably into the chair. Jail apparently wanted her to settle things with Valor, and she had to admit it was past time that she did so. She had meant to bring the topic up sooner, but it wasn’t something that was easy to speak about.

“The night I came back from the dead, actually,” Jala said and motioned toward his glass. “Have you got another of those?” she asked.

“It’s been two weeks and suddenly you are frantic to speak of it?” Valor said as he poured a second glass and slid it across the table to her.

“Yes, and no,” Jala began hesitantly. Pausing, she took a small sip from the brandy and glanced up at him. “Are you really wearing a black amulet, Valor?” she asked quietly.

Valor shifted in his chair and nodded, his expression never changing.

“Why?” Jala asked, her gaze forcing him to meet her eyes.

“Can I lie and say it’s because I don’t want to end up like the poor bastard that won’t stop crying that prompted us to start the process of amulets?” Valor asked dryly.

“No,” Jala replied simply.

Valor frowned and pushed his glass back and forth between his hands. “Then I suppose I will be truthful and admit it’s because I don’t want to be here when Finn returns. I know that makes me sound like a bastard, but if he wasn’t dead then he should have been here for you. I have watched you live in misery without him and I was utterly helpless to do anything to help you. I can’t face him, and I…” His voice trailed off as he lifted the glass and took another healthy swallow. “And I don’t want to see the two of you together,” he admitted quietly as he sat the glass down once more.

“You will see him before me with that amulet on, Valor,” Jala said softly. She waited until he looked up at her and smiled sadly. “I tried to tell you that night, but you left before I could finish. I saw him in the Darklands, Valor. He has taken the place of the Dark Lady,” she explained and watched as the realization of what she had said that night registered in his mind.

“Did you plan to take your own life to return to him?” Valor asked his expression horrified at the thought.