What wouldn’t I give to turn back time? Despite all my powers, that ability had never been within my grasp. All I had were a thousand regrets. I had wasted all these precious moments with her—and for what?
For power. Power and pride. And both had burned to ashes in my hands.
“The crockery turned out marvelously, Rada.” Dolores’s high-pitched voice interrupted my thoughts. The Brownie held up her mug, turning it from side to side.
“You made these yourself? They are beautiful,” I said, admiring the vivid blue glaze on the fired clay.
“I make most things on the farm myself,” Rada replied with a smile.
Her creations had always invoked both my envy at their perfection and my scorn that someone as brilliant as her did not dare more, did not push beyond the limits others set for her. But using the things that were so obviously hers, that had been made by her slender hands, left me strangely torn. Part of me wanted to touch them a thousand times, to absorb her very essence through them. Part of me felt I had no right to, as if it would be an unwanted intrusion, too intimate for what we were to each other now.
“Yes, Rada is such a talented young woman,” Dolores said with a sly look. “And people around here have noticed, especially young men.”
“What?” Despite suspecting the nosy Brownie was jerking my chain, I couldn’t hide my disapproval at the ridiculous thought of some mortal farmer courting the goddess I had wanted to make my queen.
But she wasn’t mine. She had never been mine. And she never would be.
“Ah, well, a pretty lass with a well-run farm—no wonder there are suitors. Tristan from the Sommerhalt farm was quite taken with our Rada last summer,” Ulyss said. His jovial expression faltered when I scowled at him.
“Really, you are exaggerating,” Rada interrupted, nervously fiddling with her empty cup. “I am sure he was more interested in my farm than in me. Good land is hard to come by for a second-born son.”
Ulyss laughed good-naturedly. “I don’t think it was the lay of the land that had him blushing like a young maid every time you came to the farmer’s market, dearie.” He shrugged. “But speaking of land, they are giving two thousand acres away for free to anyone settling up at Milford Ridge now.”
Dolores snorted. “It’s a nightmare up there during storm season, teeming with Goblins and the occasional Cave Troll. Briseis is the only one who likes it.”
“One could argue that Elvish lassie isn’t all that sane.” Ulyss laughed, tugging on his impressive white beard. “She certainly is something—especially for an Elf. Rumor has it they’re offering the land to some former mercs who fought for the Fallen One during the war. They got pardoned after serving their time in Lasgallen’s army.” A peculiar gleam entered the old Dwarf’s amber eyes as he turned to me. “You fought in the war, didn’t you, son? So, what do you think? Is it right to give those people a second chance?”
“Bele loves second chances,” Rada interrupted, her smile so full of sharp edges even our guests could not miss it. “And third ones.”
I tried to calm her. “Rada…”
Dolores took pity on me, loudly cooing while she picked up Bane, who had been winding around her ankles. With our guests’ attention on the cat, I met Rada’s eyes, shaking my head. No matter what her problem was, we needed to hide the tension between us.
While she did not acknowledge my warning, Rada became more amicable, joining in the Underforges’ amusing stories about farm life and the newest gossip regarding their neighbors. When the shadowsbegan to lengthen, Ulyss and Dolores prepared to depart. With Serai roaming the woods, they wanted to arrive home before nightfall, and it was quite the drive. My eyes caught on the massive form of the dead wolf lying on the wagon bed, a sudden unease washing through me. I had used the Serai as part of my armies during the war. While far less intelligent than my dragons, they were easy to control and sowed fear in the hearts of my enemies. Since my defeat, they had vanished deep into the more remote forests of the continent. It was unusual for one to come so close to mortal settlements.
Ulyss pulled me aside after he had hitched the ponies back to the wagon. A grave expression played over his weathered face. “It is good that you’re here, son. Rada may not admit it, but she’s grateful for your help.”
I nodded. While Rada might be the most stubborn woman I knew, I could thankfully match that stubbornness if needed. Dolores, less subtle than her husband, winked and told me to be good to Rada. She also promised me more cake soon, since I seemed awfully thin. I had a feeling that her pat on my hip did not land mostly on my ass by accident.
The moment the ponies pulled the wagon out of the courtyard, Rada grabbed the plates from the table and entered the house without another word. With a sigh, I picked up the rest of the dishes and slowly followed her. It might have been better to let her cool off before attempting to speak with her, but when had I ever been wise where she was concerned?
The sight of her made me freeze in the doorway. She was putting the plates into the sink, the sun coming in through the window, catching on her hair, setting it aflame. I loved it when she kept it loose, as wild and untamed as her spirit. The silky strands tangling around my fingers when I buried my hands in them to bend back herhead for a thorough kiss. Or trailing all over my naked body, sending delicious shivers down my spine as she…
I snapped out of my fantasies when I saw her struggling to lift the plates with one hand. Swiftly moving closer, I attempted to grab the teetering stack. “Wait. Let me help you with that.”
Rada swerved out of my way, making the plates rattle. “I don’t need your help.” A beat of silence. Her gaze stayed on the sink in front of her, filled with soapy water. Then, icy and precise: “I don’t needyou.”
I struggled to rein in my temper at her biting tone, suspecting she wanted to provoke a fight. “I understand that the situation is not ideal,” I said, leaning against the kitchen counter next to her. “And that you hate having to rely on anybody.”
My soothing words were wasted; her eyes blazed as she rounded on me. “I hate having to rely onyou.”
Her open accusation, the hurtful reminder that nothing I did would ever be enough, made me snap back, “Well, there is nobody else here.” I scoffed. “At least your neighbors seemed relieved I am here to support you.”
A bitter laugh escaped Rada as she drew closer to me. “Believe me, if they had the faintest clue who you really are, they would think differently. No one wants the Fallen One in their back garden.”
I couldn’t believe she was bringing this up now. Knowing she was right only made it worse. “Lyr, you are so self-righteous.”
“I have every right to be. You nearly destroyed the whole world.” Her index finger jabbed at my chest. “And I’m not convinced you aren’t trying again.”
