The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(34)

Iseult silently stepped around her and continued walking, leading Finn atop his horse behind him. Kai, Anna, Sativola, and Bedelia, now each leading their horses, seemed content to do the same, though Kai seemed to be having difficulty walking as he clutched his side, his face as white as the remaining snow.

“Iseult,” Finn said softly, finally halting his progress. He turned and looked up at her. “Perhaps we should at least let them go.” She glanced back at the assassins.

“They just attempted to kill us,” he stated blandly.

“Not Maarav,” she reminded him. “He fought them along with us.”

Iseult turned his gaze from Finn to peer further back to Maarav. “We cannot risk the possibility that it was just an act, I apologize.”

Maarav wasn’t sure if Iseult was apologizing to him or Finn, and it didn’t really matter. He could tell by the look in Iseult’s eyes that his fate was sealed.

“I’m staying then,” Ealasaid cut in. She had taken hold of Maarav’s horse as if deciding he was now hers.

Finn turned sad eyes down to her. “I think the roots will go away on their own eventually. They’re not likely to freeze.”

Ealasaid glared at her. “I’m staying.”

Finn leaned back in the saddle as if Ealasaid’s glare had physically struck her. She looked like she wanted to cry again, and Ealasaid looked teary herself. Yet, both women steeled their expressions and turned away from each other.

“Do not follow us,” Iseult said to the group in general. “Next time, mercy will not be shown.” He continued leading his horse away as Anna and the others paused to climb atop their mounts. Anna helped both Kai and Sativola into their respective saddles, though Sativola seemed far better off than Kai.

As they all began to ride away, Ealasaid gave them a final glance, then hurried toward Maarav, trailing his horse behind her.

“You should go with them,” he urged. He knew the girl had no home, and no family. It would not be right to part her from those who would stand the best chance of protecting her.

She shook her head stubbornly, tossing her curly blonde hair from side to side. “You are an intolerable man, but I do not believe you betrayed us. You do not deserve to be left here.” She removed the dagger from her belt and stepped toward him.

“They were right to leave,” he replied. “My company is not worth the risk.”

The assassins watched on silently, clearly hoping Ealasaid might free them next.

Ignoring their company, she reached up and began sawing at the roots restraining him. “I do not agree,” she muttered.

He sighed, then waited for her to finish freeing him, which took what seemed like ages given the size of her blade versus the size of the roots. By the time his feet hit the turned earth below him, his limbs were sore from hanging in the awkward position.

Wordlessly, Ealasaid climbed atop his horse and waited for him to join her.

“What about the rest of us?” Slàine finally snapped.

Maarav smirked. “I know you well, Slàine. Son or no, you would not allow me to live after fighting against you.”

She glared daggers at him. “Your chances are better now than they will be if you leave me here to freeze. Perhaps if you let me down, I might be inclined to explain things to you.”

“You heard the girl,” he replied, gesturing in the direction the others had ridden. “The roots will loosen their hold eventually.” He knew better than to take Slàine at her word, as badly as he wanted to know why she’d attacked, she’d stick a dagger in him long before she’d breathe a word.

“And I will find you,” she growled.

“Then I hope they do not loosen their hold too soon,” he answered, then climbed up in the saddle behind Ealasaid.

“Do we follow the others?” Ealasaid whispered as they rode away.

“Not yet,” he whispered, glancing at the dangling people as they rode past. “Let’s worry about our own hides first.”

Together they continued off into the melting snow. Maarav knew the next few stops Iseult had planned, so he would have no issue picking up their trail later. For now, he would worry about getting far away from Slàine. Deep down, he knew he should have killed her, but he found he didn’t have it in his heart, as black as it was, to do so.



Not long after leaving Maarav and Ealasaid behind, Kai was forced to stop and bandage his wound, and Anna pushed the same treatment on Sativola. While Sativola’s wounds were mainly surface injuries, and would likely heal within the next few days, Kai’s were serious. He’d lost a large amount of blood, soaking his shirt, breeches, and even his cloak. He hoped nothing vital had been damaged within him, but feared the worst. He felt . . . wrong, and it wasn’t just the blood loss. He’d lost plenty of blood before.

Finn had started crying again while Anna bandaged Kai’s wounds, though he didn’t think the tears were for him. Well, perhaps a few, but most seemed to be for Ealasaid.

“I cannot believe we left her behind,” Finn muttered, still sitting in the saddle behind Iseult.

Kai noted the edge of her green cloak was speckled with blood, though she was the cleanest out of their small group. It was fortunate Anna and Iseult had chosen to wear all black. The blood on Kai’s and Sativola’s clothing, some theirs, some belonging to their attackers, was readily apparent.