Blood, Honor and Dreams (The Elder Blood Chronicles, #2)

Finn stood slowly and stretched, offering a hand to help Jala up as well. “Not something I’ll argue with,” he said with fatigue heavy in his voice.

Jala nodded her agreement and followed Finn down to the basement. Doors lined each side of a narrow hall at the bottom of the stairs. The air smelled strongly of new pine and fresh paint. “I can’t believe how much work he has done here,” Jala said as Finn pushed open the first door he came to.

“It’s not just here. You should see what he has done with the rest of this district. You forget Sovann is very well funded. He has the gold to hire the workers,” Finn said. He examined the small room with a slight nod but didn’t seem too impressed.

Jala regarded the rough furniture with acceptance. It wasn’t much to look at but it was still finer than what she had grown up with. The bed especially looked perfect to her eyes. “I can’t wait to sleep,” she murmured and moved fully into the room.

“Go ahead go to bed, Vezradesh.I need a bath and then I’ll join you,” Finn said as he closed the door and began stripping out of his ruined clothing. Her eyes lingered on the silver scar that traced a path just below his ribs. It was the only scar on his body and a gentle reminder to her of how close she had come to losing him. “You stare at that every time I take my shirt off,” Finn observed, his gaze locked on her face.

“It’s one of the few reminders I have that you aren’t invincible Finn,” she said with a faint smile.

He snorted in tired amusement. “Should be the opposite there, Jala. I won that fight and lived through a wound that would have killed anyone else. I’m about as close to invincible as you can get,” he said with a wink and headed toward the smaller door marking the bathroom.

She watched him go, and with a faint smile, looked down at Marrow who was curling up on the rug. “I think I worry too much,” she said to the Bendazzi. With a yawn, she pulled her outer dress off over her head and kicked her shoes loose.

I think you have too much to worry about. I’m not sure about the worrying too much, Marrow replied and rested his head on his massive white paws. His yellow eyes watched her as she crawled into the bed.

Turning over on her side she smiled down at the Bendazzi. “You may have a point,” she conceded and allowed her eyes to droop closed.





*





“I have no idea how they managed to get the rings.” Jala stirred silently at the words. It was Finn speaking and his voice was hushed. She kept her eyes closed and listened, curious as to who he was talking to.

“Do you have a way out?” A deep voice asked and it took her a moment to place the speaker. It was Havoc, though he sounded distant.

“It’s possible that I could get us out if I talk to Graves,” Finn said, his tone sounding skeptical. “I don’t know that he wouldn’t sell us out though.”

“I don’t like the idea of asking Graves for anything. I don’t trust mercenaries,” Havoc replied.

“I know,” Finn said dryly. “I don’t know what else to do, though. We can’t stay here.”

“Do you think Jala will leave?” Havoc asked, his tone sounding doubtful.

“I don’t know that either. I think, considering all things, she might,” Finn replied.

“Considering all of what things?” Jala said sitting up slowly in bed. While she was curious to hear more from the two of them, she didn’t like the thought of eavesdropping on Finn. It felt wrong to her.

Finn sat cross-legged in the center of the floor with a metal brazier, similar to the one they had used for the wedding ceremony, balanced in front of him. This one however was smaller and looked to be made of a dark black metal. A tiny fire danced inside it and an even smaller image of Havoc stood in the flames. The Fionaveir had obviously been at rest from his appearance. His hair was disheveled and he wore nothing but loose fitting pants. Her eyes lingered briefly on the tattoos covering the left side of his body. The marks were distorted by the flames of the illusion, but the sight brought back memories of her father.

“I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m sorry,” Finn said, looking a bit chagrined. She wasn’t sure if the expression came from waking her or getting caught speaking about her.

“Hello, Jala.” Havoc’s image in the fire waved a small hand with the words.

She stared at the figure for a moment and then hesitantly waved back. “What manner of spell is this?” she asked, her curiosity of the magic making her forget her earlier question.

“Firym magic. The bowls make it much simpler but you can use the same communication through common flames,” Finn explained. He turned back to the small brazier and smiled at Havoc’s image. “I’ll think up something other than Graves, but for now I need to speak with Jala. I’ll contact you again when I’ve worked something out,” he said.

“Understandable. Keep in contact with me even if you don’t work something out. If nothing more than to let me know you are both well,” Havoc said and the small figure in the flames bowed slightly to both of them. “Good night to the both of you and be safe.” Jala watched as the small figure disappeared into the flames and then the fire itself died out as if Havoc’s presence alone had kept it burning.

“You didn’t have to end your talk with him. I’m sorry I interrupted. I just didn’t feel right overhearing the conversation without your knowing I was awake,” she said quietly.

“I don’t mind you overhearing what I say Jala. Anything that I might have wanted to keep secret I’ve already told you about,” he said with a smirk and moved to join her in the bed, leaving the fire brazier where it was. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this worn down,” he mumbled as he lay down and pulled her closer to him.

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