I looked toward the sound to find General Ranor glaring at me.
The children went quiet.
“That's Uncle Ranor, children,” I said. “Don't mind him. I think he needs to poop.”
That, of course, brought the round of giggles I was hoping for, and even some chuckles from the Wraith Lords. Ranor's glare turned into a grimace.
“My bowels are fine, thank you,” Ranor said, making the children laugh even harder. His lips twitched, then he waved toward the dining hall. “Let's get you fed, children. Then we'll figure out what we're going to do.”
“Where's my mommy, Uncle Ember?” Sally asked.
Staring into her big brown eyes, so trusting, I felt like an asshole. But I said what I had to, to get them out of there. “Honey, your mommy is still corrupted, but I promise you, I will do my best to find her and free her.”
Sally's face fell. “But you said you were taking me to her.”
“I know. And I'm sorry I lied. I wanted to get you away from the Corrupter as fast as possible. But don't you worry, we'll look after you until we can free your mommy. You're going to be just fine.”
“What about my mommy?” another child asked.
Eyes started to fill with tears. On the side of the group, Harcut and Reginald clutched their children close, knowing how lucky they were.
Harcut, bordered by his boys, two of them seven-year-old twins, said, “Hush now, kids. Your parents will come home soon. We have to have faith in the Wraith Lords. They will save your parents as they saved us. It will be all right.”
The children quieted.
“Who wants some cake?” Ranor asked.
And that was all that was needed. The kids stood up and cheered even as they sniffled, then followed the General into the dining hall. I knew he'd return soon enough and give me a hard time for what I'd done, so I hurried to Rath and Xae while I had the chance.
My lovers hugged me between them, hands stroking my back, arms, and hair. With their scent filling my nose and their strong arms around me, I was home at last. I nearly started to cry again.
Leaning back but staying within their embrace, I looked from Xae to Rath. “I'm so sorry. It was a huge mistake. I want to bring Keltyr into our group, not Jath.”
My men exchanged grim looks, then nodded.
“If you love Keltyr, we'll accept him,” Rath said. “But don't youeverrun off without us like that again, Ember.”
“You were a little busy being pissed off at me.”
Xae grimaced. “Ember, I don't care how mad I am, you don't leave me behind and go into a fight alone.”
“I had to do something I wasn't sure either of you would approve of.”
They went still.
Rath finally asked, “What did you do, Ember?”
“Not now,” Keltyr, who had come up beside us, whispered. “Not here.”
I looked at Kel, then around us at the Wraith Lords still milling about the entry hall, talking about the rescue with the few lords who hadn't gone—those who had been on duty guarding the citadel, or on a mission, or Jath. I wondered if Jath had been moping around the forest and returned too late to go along or if he'd simply refused to help save me. Then I told myself to stop thinking about him. Jath didn't deserve my thoughts. And if he ever found out I had used Death Magic, he'd probably hate me even more.
Rath and Xae looked at Kel and me, their eyes twitching and hands clutching at me. No one asked the question I'd been dreading. They just nodded. They weren't happy, but they knew when to keep their mouths shut.
“Ember,” General Ranor growled as he strode out of the dining hall.
I separated myself from my men and went to stand before him. “Yes, Sir?”
“Well done on saving the children.”
