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“Hmm,” she said, untying the top of the packet of herbs. “Let’s hope this works, then.” She poured a large pack of ground lindenmint over the side. It poured down onto the dresalod.
Shrieking, the creature writhed, its exoskeleton smoldering. It tumbled onto its side and twitched as the herb ate through its hard, protective outer shell, killing it almost as fast as I could with my mace.
“Well,” she said, her voice shaky. “As a healer, I don’t like to kill anyone, but in this case, I have to admit, I’m grateful this worked.” She hopped off the box and stepped into my waiting arms, looking up at me. “I think it's time to start transplanting lindenmint plants to the shore, don’t you?”
Chapter41
Rhoslyn
Two Weeks Later
It took us over a week to dig up enough lindenmint bushes and plant them along a long stretch of shore from above the city to well below. We suspected we’d have to transplant more, covering considerable distance in both directions, but for now, this was a test. We were confident the herb would help us, but would it stop the dresalods? We’d find out during the next attack.
Since the herb was so prevalent, we dried huge bunches of leaves and scattered them along the shore above the waterline as well. And we set up small catapults that would launch lindenmint slurry carefully wrapped in thin membranes that would break on impact.
“For the first time, I have hope we can defeat them,” Jaus said as we stood on the top of the wall with our friends who’d helped us complete the work. “You gave us this gift, tiny mate, and we’ll never be able to thank you.”
Around us, orcs grunted in agreement. I’d made friends, so many, and I’d found a home. I missed my sister, but we’d talked about visiting the fortress. Jaus and Feyla would take me there, and I’d ask Kael to notify my sister I was waiting outside the wall. It would be wonderful to see her again, to hug her once more. I couldn’t wait to hear about her wedding plans and the future she planned with her love.
“If they come now, they’ll quickly discover we fight back in unusual ways,” Jaus growled.
With nothing left to do but wait, we left the wall.
“I’ll see you at the party tonight?” Madr asked at the base of the stairs.
“We have other plans.” Jaus squeezed my hand. After working hard each day over the past few weeks to get things ready along the shore, we’d dropped into bed exhausted each night. We’d talked about spending this evening alone.
“I’ll see you another time, then.” Madr told us he was going to permanently move to his mother’s modest home high in the mountains. It was rustic, but he liked doing things for himself and the solitude he’d found there. He hadn’t spoken to his father since he left the palace weeks ago, and I didn’t think he ever would. If a bridge was going to be built between them, the king would have to lay the first stones.
Madr’s gaze traveled from Jaus to me, noting our entwined fingers, and the longing in his gaze made my heart ache. He’d wistfully told me days ago that he’d hoped to find a mate during the next hunt. He’d represent his clan again in a year, but he’d have to wait until then and hope his Lumen Clan pendant flared for one of the two women.
To think I’d been frightened when I volunteered. Not only scared, but I’d also been horrified at the thought of being captured and claimed by an orc. Funny how things turn out as they should.
I suspected one of these times, the fates would choose a great love for Madr, and I couldn’t wait to meet her. I hoped she was bold enough to give him a chance, to love him as he deserved.
Madr stopped at the base of the stairs leading to the top of the wall. “All right then. I hope you have a great evening.”
I gave him a hug and watched as he strode toward the center of town. “I feel bad for your brother.”
Jaus scoffed. “Why?”
“He’s lonely.”
“He has friends. You. Me.”
“And you’re certainly amazing.”
He snorted.
“You are.”
“You, my lovely one, are jaded.”
I grinned up at him. “I have a good reason, don’t I?”
Pausing, he kissed me. “You do.”
I linked my arm through his, and we started walking toward our home. “Do you think he and the king will ever repair their relationship?”
