Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,49

want me after . . . what happened?”

I ran my hand over hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “The right man won’t care.” I instantly thought of Liam. I needed to explain what really happened, but maybe he should ask instead of assuming.

Tamara blushed and smiled. “What do you dream of?” she asked me.

“I don’t know,” I said. “I have unusual circumstances, so I never allowed myself to have dreams of the future. Instead, I live in the moment.”

“How sad. Without dreams, there’s no hope, and a life without hope is dark, indeed.”

Tamara had such insight and wisdom for someone so young.

“Well, then I hope to live a long and glorious life.”

“Ahem.” We turned, and Devin was waving for us to get going.

I gave Tamara’s shoulder a squeeze and headed back toward the troops. Tamara crawled up into the supply wagon with the other ladies, and I headed over to my horse.

“You feel up to riding solo?”

“I have to,” I said. “I can’t continue to rely on others.” It took two tries, but I mounted by myself, and we were back on the road. Devin wanted to continue on with his tales, but I was in a somber mood and interrupted his story. “Devin, what can you tell me about the blight?”

He shrugged. “It appeared a few weeks ago. A great fog rolled inland from the sea, and anyone who enters the fog hears voices. Most of them wander around and die of starvation and thirst.

“If you survive the fog, then there are the miles of enchanted thorns. Twisting and devilish snares that are slowly moving across the land like snakes, heading deeper into the heart of our kingdom. But the thorns are sharp as daggers, and their scratch is poisonous.

“We’ve tried to attack it with fire and steel, but they do nothing. Rya’s forces have been working on trying to get through the fog to find the heart of the blight, but most that go into the fog don’t come out.”

It was too horrible to imagine. That meant if we didn’t stop it here in Rya, then nowhere was safe. Not even the town of Nihill. The news weighed heavy on my heart.

Chapter Fourteen

We arrived at Tallywood estate, a sprawling manor that overlooked a massive garden and over sixty acres of land. It was just as picturesque as a fairytale, with its lake filled with swans, a grove of weeping willows, and numerous cherry blossom trees. I wasn’t the only one who noticed, for the women in the wagon with Tamara chattered excitedly among themselves.

The contingent of troops in our party numbered twenty members total. That was after they sent six to escort the prisoners to Highbridge Tower. The men brought their supplies around toward the stables and set up camp in the back.

At the front steps stood an elderly man with spectacles, dressed in velvet pajamas and slippers, despite it being early evening.

“Good morning.” He flapped his hand jovially.

“Don’t you mean good evening, sir?” Devin corrected.

He blinked at the setting sun. “Ah, yes, Devin, I see it is evening. Well, I guess I should cancel my eggs and bacon, and can focus on dessert.” He slapped his gums together and tottered back inside.

The delightful old man made me giggle. He seemed harmless, and already the women seemed smitten with the one who would be their guardian.

Hayes drove the wagon up in front as Liam came out of the manor. His blonde hair was slicked back, his uniform and armor replaced by black pants, a pressed shirt, and a blue button-up uniform jacket with gold cufflinks.

He looked highborn, as if he were a noble. Which, as a knight, he probably was. Our eyes met across the drive, and my heart fluttered at seeing him.

He adjusted the cravat at his throat and cleared his throat. “Duke Tally, do you have anything to say to your guests?”

Duke Tally pulled off his spectacles and polished them on his robe. “Oh, that’s right. I have guests.” He plopped the glasses upside down on his nose and spread his arms wide. “Welcome to Tallywood Manor, I’m the Duke of Tallywood, but you can call me Tally.”

“No, he’s Duke Tally to you,” Liam corrected, rubbing his forehead. “He’s graciously offered his home to the ladies as we work on turning them to their family.” He turned those stern green eyes toward the wagon. “And for those that have nowhere else to go, you have the option of staying on as an employee. It’s hard