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The absence of people

And the deeper feeling of emptiness

"The land’s been wounded," Lia said in a hushed, aching voice "Oh, Jared, the land’s been deeply wounded"

Hay fields that should have been thick with stubble fro out of a sea of barren ground Trees that had been land sky with their dead branches

"The Blood fought here," Lia whispered Her hand shook as she wiped a tear fro her unspoken question, Jared chained his grief, leashed his growing fear "This didn’t happen because of our corowing season, not the harvest When we got the supplies at the landen village, the old woman warned me that there was trouble in Shalador" He took her hand

"Come on Ranon’s Wood is about a half a e, would have been easy to reach for the familiar minds of his family He didn’t do either

The second time Lia stumbled because he’d increased the pace beyond her ability to keep up, she planted her feet and refused to o on, Jared Find out what’s happened to your people"

"I’ here that will har you"

As they stared at each other, the words seemed to echo

Jared sed Tasted bitterness Silently acknowledged the lie beneath the sincere words As much as he didn’t want to, hewould leave her--as soon as he saw her safely ho Lia behind hiotten this close to the toward the around Jared and waving

Reining in a few yards away from them, Blaed slid off the roan round-tie her He spared one quick glance for Jared before focusing on Lia with a hunger that er, Jared realized as Blaed’s eyes traveled over the body that was covered froer a strong Blood male feels when he’s bonded to a Queen

"You’re well?" Blaed asked hesitantly

Lia gave hi smile "I’m fine I--"

Blaed pulled her into his arms "Thera’s been frantic about you"

Thera’s not the one hugging her hard enough to crack her ribs, Jared said on a spear thread

Blaed let go too fast

Jared lunged to catch her Blaed grabbed the front of the sweater

Aout of reach of both of the them warily "Whoever said rurinned at Jared "Sheis well"

"Don’t encourage her too much," Jared said dryly "She needs htened her sweater "Let’s go to the village I’d like to talk to soht you wanted to talk to sohed

Lia looked at the sky and threw up her hands

The gesture, so like Reyna’s, stabbed Jared As he turned away, hethe prickle between his shoulder blades, Jared chose each word as if it were a step he had to take on a trail filled with hidden traps "When did you get here?"

"Last evening," Blaed said in a neutral voice "Thayne’s always been able to call anih of the marauders’ horses survived, so we each had a ood Healer She’ll take care of the witchfire burns for hiht? Did you talk to hi a Coach to the Tamanara Mountains?"

"Jared" Blaed’s hand closed on Jared’s ar the sympathy that flowed out of that touch, Jared jerked away, circling Blaed cautiously as he moved toward the roan mare

"Go hoain, between two needs, Jared froze

"Go home, Jared," Lia said

Because it was the woalloping down the road to Ranon’s Wood His es his eyes collected, and he was grateful There would be tih to deal with the destruction later

It didn’t take long to reach the lane that ended at the weathered, raenerations The Healer’s House, passed on, not froest, or only, Healer in the next generation Year after year, the land had been tended by and yielded its bounty to the wo Blood -term contract as a consort if they weren’t able to win the coveted title of husband

Jared tied thepost near the path that led to the front door

Every spring, all the woardens at the Healer’s House Thehatever repairs ently while the wo

Jared opened the gate It didn’t hang true and got stuck He went sideways through the narrow opening

"Mother?"

No one had planted this year He felt the absence of laughter as keenly as he felt the land’s wounds Flower beds that had dazzled hi held a feind-seeded flowers that looked spindly and faded<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>