The Blood Forest (Tree of Ages #3)(76)

“You should be resting,” Iseult muttered, somehow sensing her presence.

She left the stairs and closed the distance between them. “As should you,” she replied, reaching his side. She frowned at his visible bruises, sure that uglier ones hid beneath his clothing. Not that he would ever complain about either.

He did not look up, and her heart gave a nervous flutter. Refusing to back down, she lowered herself to the bench beside him. Finally, he met her gaze.

“I will keep my promise,” she stated bluntly, having some idea what might be bothering him. “I will do my best to use the shroud to return your soul. Maarav’s too.”

He shook his head and smiled ruefully. “No, you will not.”

“I will!” she gasped, holding a hand to her chest. “Would you doubt me after all this time?”

He shook his head. “It is not you that I doubt. I have failed you.”

She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

He sighed and took another sip of his drink.

The smell of whiskey fluttered to Finn’s nostrils.

“I had hoped to escape Oighear,” he explained. “I knew she intended you harm, intent on possessing the shroud.” He began to lower his gaze, then forced it upward. “I watched helplessly while she approached you. If it weren’t for Kai . . . ” he trailed off.

She smiled softly, now understanding his upset. “You know, I’m not entirely without defenses,” she teased.

The barest hint of a smile crossed his lips. “Of that I have no doubt, but I swore I’d protect you.”

She placed a hand gently on his arm, wishing she could somehow put every thought she was having into his mind. “You have protected me. I would never have gotten this far without you. I owe you everything, and I will be following through with my promise.”

He took hold of her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze. “Perhaps in time, but not yet.”

She frowned, once again confused. “Why ever not?”

“I do not know what will happen,” he explained. “I’ve always been unnaturally fast and resilient. I can blend into shadows, and often hide in plain sight. I always thought it was simply luck, but Maarav displays these same skills. I believe it’s a product of our . . . condition.”

“You don’t want to lose those skills?” she questioned, even more confused. Iseult didn’t seem the type to worry about such things.

He sighed again. “I previously would not have cared one way or another. I only cared about ridding myself of my curse. But now, you have a long road ahead of you. I cannot stand idly by, and I cannot allow myself to be weakened. Not now.”

“But if I die,” she began, “if the shroud is lost-”

He turned toward her abruptly, enfolding her hands in his. “If I stand any chance of preventing either, I must remain as I am. If you are killed, I will surely have gone down before you.”

Her eyes welled with tears. She wasn’t sure what she had done to earn such loyalty, but there it was. She searched every corner of her mind for some sort of argument. It wasn’t fair for him to remain cursed, especially when she was the one who had cursed him. She opened her mouth to speak, but he shook his head.

“I will hear no more arguments,” he said softly.

She closed her mouth.

“Tomorrow we will formulate a new plan,” he continued. “We do not know what the Cavari will do now that you have the shroud, and there is still this third queen to worry about, and An Fiach. It seems there is no end to those who seek you.”

She sniffled, still fighting tears. “My apologies,” she chuckled. “You will likely soon be as notorious as I.”

He gave her hands a final squeeze, then released her from his grip. “One can only hope,” he teased, then stood, offering her his hand.

She looked up at him with a small smile.

“Am I mistaken, or were you going out for a walk? Perhaps to stick your toes in the cold soil?”

She grinned and took his hand, then stood and began to lead him across the common room. “This way,” she instructed, “I know an excellent window we can depart through.”

They both laughed as they wove their way through the smattering of tables, benches, and chairs, on their way to a moonlit walk. Although this time, they used the front door.



Though Finn had insisted numerous times that Iseult get some rest, the next morning found the pair near the inn’s front door, watching the sun rise, just like it did every day, though today was somehow different.

Though Finn worried about his health, her heart was full. All of her friends were back together, and now she knew where àed was. Though she had many concerns, returning him to human form was her primary quest.

The inn doors creaked open. She turned to see Anna and Kai. Remembering her task, she fingered the shroud around her waist, barely visible beneath the edge of her loose blouse.

Anna’s eyes followed her movement, then raised up to her face. “I’ve decided against removing my magic,” she announced.

Gaining nothing from Anna’s deadpan expression, Finn looked between Kai and Iseult. Kai didn’t seem surprised, letting Finn know Anna had already discussed this with him. Iseult didn’t seem surprised either, but then again, he never did.

She turned her gaze back to Anna. “Do you care to explain?”