The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(71)
“One more thing,” Kai interrupted from behind Finn. She turned as he lifted his hands to his throat, then removed a gold locket from around his neck. He held it out to her. “When you go about this Cavari crushing, perhaps go easy on your mother.”
She took the locket in her free hand. Something about it brought her tears back to the surface, and she nodded, then pulled Kai into a hug. “I would never have gotten this far without you,” she sobbed, then reached blindly back for Iseult. He went to her and took her hand. “I would never have made it without either of you.” She sniffled, then pulled away from Kai to look between them. “Thank you.”
Kai patted her shoulder, then laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I needed a good adventure.”
Iseult smirked, though it pained his face. “As did I,” he consoled. “There are no thanks necessary.”
She smiled, encompassing Bedelia in her gaze. “Where are Anna and Sativola?”
“Back in Garenoch with-” Kai cut himself off and glanced at Iseult. “Maarav and Ealasaid.”
Finn grinned even wider, making Iseult decide against the venomous comment he had in mind for Maarav. Instead, they gathered their horses and prepared to depart. Finding no quarrel with the warriors, Finn sent the Aos Sí on their way. They did not carry their Snow Queen away for burial, a testament to their true feelings for her.
Iseult was glad to let her to rot just where she lay.
Chapter Sixteen
Kai was the first to notice the smoke as they approached Garenoch. Closer observation revealed funeral pyres. Many of them. With Bedelia and Iseult battered and sore, they’d taken their time on the return journey, allowing everyone to rest along the way. They’d stood no chance of returning in time to aid in the battle against the Cavari. It was long since over.
Now, the midday sun illuminated the burgh sharply. In addition to the pyres, the wide expanse of dead grass leading up to the town was interspersed with puddles of blood. There was no way of telling who had won the fight, and who had died, though the people still bustling around the streets of the distant burgh brought him a measure of comfort. Still, the amount of blood spilled was disconcerting. He needed to find Anna.
He glanced at his companions, feeling reluctant to ride ahead. Every portion of Iseult’s skin showing was black and blue. His clothes now seemed slightly too big for his hunched form. Bedelia was in much the same shape, her expression never shifting from a morose pout.
Yet, it was Finn who worried him the most. She hadn’t divulged the memories she’d regained, but he had a feeling they were dark. She’d mentioned something to Iseult about the death of her daughter. She had to mean in her previous life, but that was the first he’d heard of it.
She now wore the gold locket her mother had given him, and reached up to rub her fingers across its face every so often. Naoki was curled up in her lap, wrapped in Kai’s cloak, which he’d sacrificed to keep the dragon hidden. Though the Aos Sí had offered Finn one of their saddles and a bridle for her white horse, it didn’t seem to need any guidance from her, which was fortunate, as she didn’t seem entirely there. Her bruised hands didn’t even touch the reins.
Seeming to startle into awareness, she glanced at Kai, then followed his gaze to the pyres. “Is this because of me?” she asked distantly.
Outwardly he replied, “It’s because of the Cavari. They forced these deaths, not you.” Inwardly, however, he thought Please, oh please don’t let Anna be among the dead.
The townsfolk on the outskirts watched them warily as they approached. Fear that hadn’t been there a day before now shone in their eyes. He wondered if the Alderman was now regretting the decision to allow magic users in his burgh. Magic always brought danger, no matter who wielded it. He’d learned from experience, traveling with Finn.
He exhaled in relief as a familiar figure came into view, twin daggers at her hips. Conversing with someone hidden by a market stall, she turned and spotted their group, then waved in greeting.
Kai waved back and laughed.
“There’s Ealasaid,” Finn pointed with her free hand, keeping the other arm firmly around Naoki to still her. Sure enough, Ealasaid had stepped out from behind the stall to peek in the direction Anna pointed.
Iseult grunted in acknowledgement. “And Maarav.”
Feeling safe now that they’d crossed the boundary into the burgh, and anxious to hear just what had happened, Kai urged his horse to a trot. Soon enough, he reached Anna, waiting by the wide road intersecting the first rows of homes.
As he dismounted near Anna, Ealasaid and Maarav moved to surround him, along with a woman somewhere in her fifties, dressed in black, her gray hair pulled back in a tight braid. She was somewhat familiar, but Kai couldn’t quite place her.
Ealasaid opened her mouth to ask a question, but stopped as Iseult, Finn, and Bedelia reached them.
Iseult dismounted, his gaze not on his brother, but on the gray-haired woman. He put a hand on Finn’s leg to prevent her dismount. He eyed the older woman like she might bite. “Explain,” he said simply, turning his gaze to Maarav.
“We intend to,” Maarav replied, positioning himself between Iseult and the older woman, “in private. For now, you have nothing to fear from Slàine.”
Iseult narrowed his eyes at Maarav, but stepped aside so Finn could dismount. With her arms around Naoki, she swung her right leg over the saddle. Iseult put his hands on her waist, easing her down without disturbing her bundle.