Dragonlands(240)

"Neither will killing him." Bastian searched Connor's eyes, waiting for his friend to regain his composure. For Connor to remember he was the levelheaded one. Bastian always had been the hothead, but if he could control his anger in this situation, then Connor could too.

Connor looked back at Tressa. "This is because you still have feelings for her. You act like an idiot whenever she speaks. Even though she’s made it very clear she's not interested in you any longer, you still kowtow to her demands. You hang on her every word."

Bastian wanted to retort back, insist he did no such thing. But, maybe Connor had a point. Maybe Bastian had let his feelings for Tressa, whatever they were now, get in the way of what was really important.

"I'm not going to argue with you," Bastian said.

"Why not?" It came from behind him. Elinor.

Slowly Bastian turned around. He hadn't heard her approach.

"Why not, Bastian? Do you still have feelings for Tressa?" Elinor crossed her arms under her chest.

Her jealousy angered Bastian. Hadn't he shown Elinor repeatedly how he felt about her?

"Was I just a distraction until she came back?" Tears hovered at the corners of Elinor's eyes. "I'm not just another whore. You can't have your way with me and toss coins at my feet when you're done."

"Elinor—” Bastian reached out, but she knocked his arm away. "You know I don't feel that way about you. Please don't say it."

"You won't let Connor kill Jarrett because you think it'll make Tressa mad. The Holy Ones forbid we should ever upset poor little Tressa." Elinor stomped a booted foot on the floor. When Bastian didn't immediately respond, Elinor pushed past the two men and ran out of the throne room.

Bastian wanted to run after Elinor. He wanted to tell her he cared for her very deeply. He wanted to reassure her that he didn't have those feelings for Tressa anymore, but a very angry Connor still stood in front of him, ready to kill a man who might yet be redeemed.

Tressa sat quietly at the table, her eyes wide.

"I won't let you kill him, Connor. Even if I have to stand between the two of you and take the first blow." Bastian drew up to his full height, standing taller than Connor. "Give it some time. Let the mages in the Black try to help him. I swear to you," Bastian laid a hand on Connor's shoulder, "if Jarrett cannot be redeemed, you will draw first blood."

"And last," Connor said. "I will rip his limbs from his body. I will tear his skin from his bones. I will devour every last bite of him."

Connor turned on one foot, leaving Bastian and Tressa alone in the throne room. Bastian squared his shoulders, and left as well, closing the double doors behind him. Tressa could take care of herself. He needed to find Elinor.





Chapter Thirty-One


Tressa smiled at the guards. They stepped to the side, allowing her to enter Jarrett’s room. She hadn't given them permission to let anyone else through without her say. Not even the healers in the room next door. She shut the door behind her. The shuffle of the guards' feet outside the door told her they were back in place. Good. These men hadn't been in the Black Guard with her, but they were soldiers who respected that she was. Or had been. Nothing in the Blue was as it had been.

Jarrett lay in bed, asleep. His chest rose and fell with each gentle breath. Here he seemed at peace. Not the man she'd encountered on the island.

Tressa sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand in hers. His eyes opened.

"Hi," she said, smiling gently. She wanted to put him at ease, if that was possible.

Jarrett stared at her. "I can't hear you."

Tressa stroked his hair. She nodded.

"I won't ever hear again," he said, refusing to look at Tressa. "After what happened to me..."

Tressa forced her smile to remain wide. Her cheeks ached, and she choked back tears.

"You don't have to pretend for me," Jarrett said. "I know you're faking." He reached up and cupped her cheek. "I'm so, so sorry for what I tried to do to you. On the island, I was confused. I don't really remember..."

Tressa kissed him, silencing his confession. She forgave him. She understood. She had changed in unspeakable ways too. Her lips moved on his, soft and caring.

Jarrett rested his hands on Tressa's shoulders, pushing her away. She gave him one final peck before sitting up again.

"Something has a hold on me. I can still feel it in my mind. It's back there. Watching." Jarrett sat up. "You should leave.”

Tressa lay on the bed next to Jarrett, resting an arm and a leg on his body. "No," she whispered.

"I heard that," Jarrett said. "More importantly, I understood it. Try again."