The Elder Blood Chronicles – Book Three(60)

“No time for reports at the present, Bridgette. Where can I find Neph?” Valor said impatiently. He still seemed uneasy in the woman’s presence and Jala noticed his eyes flick to the waiting knights more than once as he spoke.

“Not sure why you would want to find him, but if you truly do, he is near the center of town at the big house with the purple doors,” one of the knights offered with a smile.

“Thank you, Foster.” Placing a hand carefully on Jala’s back he urged her forward. “Come on, Neph will know where Ash is,” he said gently, his other arm moving quickly to steady her. Glancing over his shoulder, Valor nodded to the knights. “Allow me time to see to Lady Merrodin’s needs and I will find you for the reports, Bridgette,” Valor said in a louder voice.

“Well that could be interpreted several ways,” one of the men behind them mumbled and there was a round of muffled laughter.

Jala felt Valor tense beside her but he remained silent. She fought back the urge to look up at him. Her feet were too unsteady. It was better to simply focus on the ground and moving as quickly as she could. With her good hand braced solidly on Marrow’s powerful neck and Valor’s support at her side, she urged her feet to move faster and ignored the stumbling.

She could feel Vaze’s eyes on her as she walked, but didn’t spare time to glance at him, either. There was only one thing she wanted to see right now and that was a large house with purple doors.

“People are already muttering, Jala. You aren’t making a very good impression as the returning High Lady,” Vaze whispered beside her.

“Bugger their gossip,” Jala muttered, her eyes moving from building to building desperate to see the color purple.

“I’m afraid there is going to be quite a bit of gossip after my unfortunate choice of words,” Valor sighed beside her.

“Bugger that gossip too,” Jala muttered once more. There was a time when words had cut her to the bone. Cassia’s scathing remarks had hurt then. Now, however, it seemed laughable. She knew what true pain was, now. Words were nothing when compared to having someone you love die in your arms while you sat helpless to save him. Insults seemed pathetic compared to watching a friend agonize as Valor had when faced with the fight in Death’s hall. They could gossip all they wanted, as long as she had Finn and her friends safely beside her.

“There it is, not much farther,” Valor assured her quietly. She nodded as they drew closer to the house and nearly sagged with relief as the purple door swung open and Neph stepped out.

“Neph,” Jala gasped, her eyes growing glassy. The pain in her stomach and hand had become a steady, unbearable pulse. “Neph, I need Ash, please,” she added frantically as the big mage rushed down the stairs toward them.

“Jala!” Neph cried, his expression filled with panic as he took in their appearance. “What the hell happened to her, Valor?” Neph demanded in a tone filled with accusation.

“She fought Death. Be glad she still lives,” Vaze answered before Valor had time to reply. “She also insists on raising Finn before she is healed because she is a stubborn ass. So could you please locate the missing Soulreaver before your High Lady falls over from blood loss?”

“I have no idea where he is. I haven’t seen him since you left Merro,” Neph answered with apology clear in his voice.

I smell him now. The Soulreaver. The scent is coming from the house, Marrow cut in, his head tilting toward the open door behind Neph.

“Inside,” Jala gasped, pulling free of Valor and stumbling forward. The child kicked inside her and her throat grew tight. It was the first time she had felt her son move. The muscles of her stomach tightened and pain ripped through her savagely. Knotting her hand in Marrow’s fur, she staggered up the stairs and through the door. She could hear the others behind her but they didn’t matter now. All that mattered was Finn and her unborn child. If she acted quickly enough perhaps she could save both.

“Jala he isn’t inside. I just came from inside,” Neph said as he quickly followed her up the stairs and through the door, his words trailing off as Ash stepped out of a side door and bowed his head to her. “Well he wasn’t in here,” Neph muttered sourly. “I will have words with Sovann about his wards of protection.”

“Ash, do you have his body still?” Jala gasped as she stepped quickly toward the Soulreaver. Her feet tangled as she moved, and had it not been for the massive Bendazzi beside her she knew she would have fallen.