"I didn't last night," Tressa said, unwilling to give up her self-hatred. She wasn't the honorable and noble woman she'd tried to be all her life. She was just like everyone else. Flawed and broken, desperately trying to make sense of a chaotic life.
"Tressa, go to Jarrett. It's late, but I know he'll welcome you. He's asked about you more than once, wanting to know if we'd had word."
Tressa felt even worse. The stabbing inside her chest reminded her how violent the heart could be. "I'll go now." She stood, hugging her great-grandmother. "Thank you."
"Of course. And thank you for not believing that woman was me. We will unravel this tangled web of lies. For now, you need to see Jarrett. Then get some sleep. We are regrouping and heading back out in a few days."
“Does Jarrett know you’re holding his brother, Avital, in the dungeon?” Tressa asked.
Granna shook her head. “We thought it best he not know. No one trusts Avital. Do you?”
“No,” Tressa said. “I don’t. I hate keeping more secrets from Jarrett, but considering his current state…”
“It is better we keep them separate for now. Don’t worry, we are caring for Avital. He wants for nothing.”
“Thank you,” Tressa said. "That reminds me. Are you familiar with the boundary around the Meadowlands?"
Granna nodded. "I only recently heard about it. As you know, we've kept to ourselves here under the Charred Barrens. Our scouts had reported less activity in the north in the past couple years, but they weren't aware of the boundary until recently. Why?"
"I spoke with the council in the Meadowlands. They believe magic can take the barrier down. And if we rescue them, they are willing to share something valuable with us."
"What's that?" Granna asked.
"They've been making dragon armor, and they are willing to fight with us against the Red."
Granna laughed, her hands on her tiny belly. "Well, well, it sounds like we have allies. There may be hope yet. Thank you, Tressa! You've not only given me hope, but this will boost the morale of everyone who fights against the tyranny in the northeast." She patted Tressa's shoulder. "Now go to Jarrett. Take care of your heart. You won't be able to relax until you do."
Chapter Forty-One
"Come in." The voice came from inside, weak, but sure.
Tressa's fist still hovered at the wooden door. After rapping twice, she'd waited for a moment before she nearly bolted back to her own chambers. But he'd heard. He'd answered. She hadn’t been sure he'd be able to hear the knock after losing his ears.
She pushed the door open and entered with a tentative smile on her face. "I see you're doing better." She laid a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"I am now that you’re here," Jarrett said. “The mages said they can’t heal my ears, but they were able to lay some magic on me that allows me to hear a bit better.” He sat up in his chair and set the book he'd been reading in his lap.
Tressa leaned over, reading the cover. "Secrets of the Mage. Sounds interesting."
"It is," Jarrett said. "Trying to learn a little bit more about magic. I'd like to learn to harness it. Maybe I can figure out how to break this bond myself, since no one else is able to." He stood up. "At least here I can't hear the invader's voice in my head." He held his arms open.
Tressa collapsed into them.
"I missed you," he said, whispering into her hair.
"I missed you too. So much," she said, echoing him. Her arms wrapped around Jarrett and she buried her face in his chest. She took a deep breath. No matter how long he'd been away from the Sands, he still had an air of exotic spice wafting around him.
He caressed her hair with one hand while the other rested on her hip. Tressa looked up, offering his lips to him. They kissed, familiar and filled with longing.
Jarrett pushed on her shoulders, gently, but enough to break their embrace. "We shouldn't. One of the mages expressed concern. It's possible the person who has enchanted me can hear and sense what goes on around me. I don't want anyone to share in this but us."
Tressa nodded, wringing her hands. Guilt washed over her. If Jarrett was right, then it was the wrong time to tell him about her indiscretion with Bastian. No one knew but the two of them, and she certainly didn't want some evil mage to have leverage over Jarrett. No. She'd tell him later.
With relief coursing through her chest, Tressa managed a small smile. "It's okay. We have our whole lives ahead of us."
Jarrett smiled back. "We do."
They stared at each other in an uneasy silence. Tressa had so much she wanted to tell him, but knowing someone else could be listening in left her mute. Jarrett reached out, taking her hand in his. He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.