Chapter 22

R esilience was the underpinning of Rhell, and that was no more evident than in the town of Den’olm. Dae had heard about the slow, unrelenting spread of Eylle’s poison, had been reading about it for years. Studying it in-depth for months. Touched it, mapped the shape and feel of Rhell’s earth and Eylle’s poison with her magic so much that it began to feel like second nature. As much as something so insidious could, anyway. But no amount of reading or studying soil in jars prepared her for the reality of destruction. Only the grim truth of traveling through the ravished land could accomplish that. The juxtaposition of a healthy tract of land alongside wards cordoning off an affected area, not always logical lines but seemingly random sections carved out, made her head spin. The general flow led in the direction of the wellspring, but otherwise, the poison meandered in every other way.

On a whim, Dae reached out with her magic, acquainting herself with the makeup of Rhell. A light rain had accompanied much of the trip, making it easy for Dae to lean on the moisture all around them rather than expend her own energy. Water swirled around her fingers readily enough, yet there was something dull about it, heavier than how it felt to use magic at school.

As she let the water fall away, Dae had a glimpse of how battling such corruption could drain a person. Why Ezzyn felt he could finally rest in Sylveren’s embrace after carrying the exhaustion of fighting at home for so long.

And yet, Rhell endured. Despite the poison’s seeming invulnerability, its targeted nature on Rhell. How it had remained long after the war, when the bulk of the Alliance territories’ attention had moved on. The last, tiny kingdom this side of the Great Sea fought on.

It took the better part of two weeks to port the students and their supplies for the research trip from the university through Gyo Pass and across Rhell to Den’olm. By the time they arrived, Dae was glad to be rid of a saddle for a fortnight. She was helping Zhenya store crates of their instruments in a tent at the edge of the work zone when she saw Ezzyn.

He came in with a group of other mages, all dirty from experiments in the field. His tired eyes settled on her, a faint smile appearing on his face. Dae lifted her hand in a small wave. He returned it but didn’t come over, instead going to meet with the gathered professors.

“Anadae Helm?”

She turned to find a Rhellian man several years older than her offering his hand. “Garethe.”

She shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He was perhaps the least traditionally Rhellian man she’d ever met. Still blond, but more ashen in color than Ezzyn, hair long enough to be secured in a messy bun at the back of his head. There was a sallow tinge to his skin, pronounced lines at the corners of his eyes and mouth. Lines that deepened when he smiled, yet he had a sense of vigor that lent back some youth. Softened the piercing quality of his blue eyes beneath a noble brow, so similar to Ezzyn.

“Garethe—oh! Goddess break. You’re Garethe.” Dae’s hands made erratic movements in the air, caught between going to her mouth or some other gesture her brain didn’t finish. “Highness.”

He shuddered. “Garethe, please, and you’re Ezzyn’s research assistant. He doesn’t have you stand on ceremony, does he?”

“No, nothing like that.” Dae settled on clasping her hands behind her back.

“Thank the gods for small favors.” Garethe shook his head. “I’ve read your reports. Excellent work. We’ve already made improvements to our countermeasures here based on the results. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do here.”

“Thank you, but Ezzyn’s done the hard work,” Dae said. She glanced around, but Zhenya had gone off to sort through another tent.

Garethe scoffed, pointing at her. “Don’t downplay your part. I’ve lived with him. Filtering through his chaos isn’t easy.”

She ducked her head to hide her smile.

“I’ve got to go listen in on where they’re assigning you all, but don’t let Ez get carried away, eh?” His tone was light, but there was something serious, knowing and troubled, in his gaze. “Damn fool will work himself bloody. Maybe he’ll listen to you.”

“I doubt it,” Dae muttered as Garethe walked away.

She watched him join Ezzyn, the pleased thrill she’d felt at his compliment losing air when confronted with his warning. In six weeks, Ezzyn had managed only spare responses to her regular updates. Dae had hoped that being present with him would change things, but now doubt crept in.

Assignments and schedules were doled out. Despite her proposal dealing with water, due to her work with Ezzyn, she would continue her research under his advisement, with one of the Rhellian water mages available for consultation. In addition to her studies, she would also carry out her assistantship duties, since her proposal was built around integration with Ezzyn’s experiments.

Once set loose from the meeting with the university faculty, Dae went to the field tent Ezzyn kept as an office. Trepidation fluttered in her belly, though she tried to ignore it. They’d been working together for months. He’d always been a consummate professional. She’d managed to not implode after the masquerade debacle, or when they’d decided to pursue their arrangement. No reason to feel awkward now.

“Are these all of the samples from the lab?” he asked when she came in. He stood at the back of the tent, the contents of a crate brought from the university spread out on the table.

Dae joined him, checking the packing sheet. “For phase two of the slow-release trial, yes. The first phase and alternates from the grovetenders are in a different crate. Should I get them?”

“No, this is fine. I have the latest results here you’ll need to log and familiarize yourself with for your research.” Ezzyn waved in the general direction of his desk.

All business, as if nothing had changed, no time passed. It made sense, adhering to their rules.

Still, Dae paused, her arm brushing against him. “Are you…” She didn’t know how to finish the thought. Simply looked at him and murmured, “Ez.”

“Later.” The word came out softly. His eyes pressed closed, chest rising with an inhale. He sighed, eyes opening once more as he cleared his throat. “We’ll need to have you do some test runs to get a feel for how the ground is affected here before you launch your full work.”

Dae nodded, crossing over to his desk and skimming the paperwork piled on its surface. “I should have this done by tonight, and I’ll have a rough draft schedule for you and Professor Kuri tomorrow.”

Grabbing a pen and official record book, Dae settled down to work.

They were in the field until late, well past dusk. The evening meal was a quiet affair, the Sylveren contingent spent after their journey and the Den’olm mages weary from months of holding the town together with their hands.

The mess tent was clearing out, Dae picking at the last scraps on her plate as she mentally sorted her plans for the next day. Zhenya had already left, mumbling about an old friend or lab partner having come by with the resupply from Talihn. Dae wasn’t sure, preoccupied with her own work coupled with exhaustion. She was tired enough that even the uncertainties around her relationship with Ezzyn had gone quiet.

The scrape of a chair being pulled back jolted her from her thoughts. Ezzyn sat next to her, a glass of wine in his hand. He set his plate, sparsely filled and most of it winter fruit, on the table.

“You’re just getting in?” she said. He’d still been out checking the town’s wards when she’d finished her administrative work.

Ezzyn gave a tired nod. “I still need to discuss the northern well with Gaz and the others.” He indicated Garethe and one of the Rhellian water mages coming toward them.

“I’ll leave you to it.” Dae tried to smile, ending up smothering a yawn partway through. “See you—”

“Will you come by tonight?” He didn’t look at her as he spoke, his quiet words hidden behind the wineglass he brought to his lips. “I’m in the house at the northeast edge. Third out from the well.”

Dae gathered up her plate and bag. Briefly, their eyes met before she moved to walk away. “Yes.”

The word was as soft as his own, near inaudible amongst the sounds of Garethe and the other mage arriving and their normal volume greetings. Yet Ezzyn’s shoulders relaxed, a flash of relief there and gone again on his face.

Excusing herself to the others, Dae went back to her temporary housing to wait. Zhenya was out, a short note only saying that she’d be back late. Dae availed herself of the tiny bathing accommodations, the cold water ensuring she was quick. With most magic diverted to the wards and efforts to keep the rest of the town unscathed, amenities were on tight rations. She could’ve attempted to manipulate the water toward something like warmth, but the knowledge of two more weeks of long days ahead lent her restraint.

She’d brought a single contraceptive potion along for the trip, unsure if it was presumptuous or a laughable underestimation. After less than a full day of the trip, she didn’t know if she’d manage to summon the energy for it to be a problem. Perhaps a longer-term method was in order, but that was a problem for her future self to contemplate.

After swallowing the potion, shuddering at the astringent taste of her cheaper alternative to the fancy vials Ezzyn had provided, Dae stole out to the house where Ezzyn was staying. It went smoother than she’d expected, the night shift centered more on monitoring the warded perimeter than keeping track of the mages inside. She had a moment of dithering over whether to leave a note for Zhenya but ultimately did not. It was easier this way. No awkward questions, no physical evidence they’d have to ignore tomorrow.

She barely managed a soft tap on Ezzyn’s door before it opened and he pulled her in.

A single lamp was the cabin’s sole illumination. It kept so much in shadow, Dae’s eyes slow to adjust.

Ezzyn didn’t let her go. Herded her back against the door, mouth descending. Kissed her with a fervor that belied the weariness she’d seen. She answered with her own desire, all thought of questions and answers and important conversations driven from her mind. As they shed clothing and her hands caressed his back, she felt a leanness that hadn’t been there the last time, and it only made her hold on to him tighter. She let him draw her to the bed, opened her legs to him, and welcomed his heat.

Rarely did his mouth leave her. If it was not on her lips, then he kissed her neck, muffled his groans against the top of her shoulder. He brought them to climax twice before slumping beside her on the bed, arms wrapping around her to keep her close to his chest. She rested her head against him, the steadiness of his breathing a comfort.

“I’m sorry, Anadae. I couldn’t … I can’t. Den’olm is too important. I have to—”

“Ezzyn.” Dae stroked his cheek. He quieted, leaning into her touch, eyes closed. “I’m here. We’re here. We’ll figure out the rest once we’re back at Sylveren. Now … now is all that matters.”

It wasn’t what she’d planned to say, but here in the dark, Eylle’s poison barely contained outside the door, there was nothing left. He still wanted her. That was enough.

He lifted his chin for another kiss. Nudged her onto her stomach so he could cover her from behind. Demanded and gave without words, his lips opening only to give her another searing kiss. Touched her with something akin to desperation, as if she would disappear.

She didn’t know how to reassure him with words. Didn’t try beyond her first calm statement.

I’m here and I’m real and I’m with you, she told him with her body. We’re not giving up.

Eventually, they fell asleep, limbs intertwined.

Dae woke early in the morning to an empty bed and an empty house.

When she arrived at the field tent, Ezzyn was already inside.

“Are you ready to start the isolation enchantments?” he asked, eyes fixed on a crude map of the town divided into various sectors. Dirt crusted the outer edge of his hands, and a water stain was fading from the hem of his cloak. How many hours had he already been at work while he left her to sleep?

Dae took all of it in, noted the bruises under his eyes, which were stark against his pale skin. She set down her bag and pulled out the schedule she’d finished drafting over a meager breakfast. “Yes.”

His finger grazed hers as he accepted the paper, lips twitching as if he wanted to say more. He didn’t. Merely gave the schedule a glance and marked his approval before sending her to find Professor Kuri and then meet him in the field.