either."
"And how do you feel now? Do you wish you were still with Bastian?" Granna asked.
"No." Tressa's arms dangled to her sides. "That's the worst part. I don't feel much of anything for Bastian anymore. Maybe I'd feel better about myself if I still loved him." Tressa flopped down in a chair. "I never thought I was that kind of person. The kind who sleeps around without considering the feelings of others." She thought of all the rumors of Bastian with women in Hutton's Bridge. She remembered how they'd punctured holes in her heart.
"We all do things we regret." Granna's feet dangled off the edge of the bed, her tiny feet swinging above the floor like a child. She stood, smoothing out her chemise. It hung loosely on her body, her skinny arms and legs sticking out of the gown. "I think the real question is one you haven't asked yet." Granna poured a cup of water for herself and one for Tressa from her bedside table. "Are you going to tell Jarrett?"
Granna handed the wooden cup to Tressa. Lips shaking, she took a small drink, not realizing until that moment how dry her throat was. "How is he?"
A small smile played on Granna's face. "He is better. Whatever has a hold on him cannot reach him here. Unfortunately, the mages have not been able to sever the ties. Jarrett screams in his sleep, his memories haunting him."
Tressa set the cup down with a trembling hand. "And there I was, off with Bastian, living in the past. Jarrett needs me and what did I do?" The contempt she felt for her choices wrapped around her like an arm around the throat.
"Go to him. Let your heart guide you on the other matter."
"I'm going to tell him," Tressa mumbled.
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Granna said. She walked to Tressa, laying her hand on her great-granddaughter's shoulder. "You are a woman of honor. You will do what's right."
"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