Bound by Darkness (Bound By Series)

26. Spoiled Pots

Chapter 26

Spoiled Pots

MORIA

“You still haven’t given me a single job,” I bellowed at Iyanna, her long red nails tapping against the table between us.

“No,” Iyanna said coolly. The sleeves of her dress draped over the table as she leaned forward, her white eyes narrowing. “You’re not ready.”

“Why? Because I’m High Fae? Because my father is General to King Hywell?”

Iyanna held up a hand, silencing my words. “Because you are weak and lack formal training.”

“Bullshit. You know I spent my entire childhood training in Raha–”

“ Enough ,” she yelled as her nails scraped wood. “Leave me be,” she said with a wave. “Go tend to the kitchens or something.”

Without reply, a guard shoved me out of her tent as the red crystals collided.

I let out a strangled cry as I kicked dirt at the tent flaps. It was always the same answer.

What was I doing here at the Hideaway? I’d agreed to their terms and volunteered to help fight, yet Iyanna shut me down every single time.

I wanted to assist their fight against King Hywell—to take down his power for what his men had done to Ellia… to me and Thalia. I wanted revenge, and at this pace, I’d never receive it.

Flicking my hair over my shoulder, I walked back to the familiar yellow tent. The smell of cardamom and coriander flooded my senses as Gia stirred a large pot.

“Back for more?” She rested a hand on her hip as she stirred the boiling mixture. Long red hair floated down her back, half neatly tied back with a clip. A dirtied apron rested over her chest, a towel strewn over her shoulder.

“Shut up,” I mumbled, grabbing another apron from the nearby rack. “Tell me what you need.”

Gia huffed, but nodded her head toward a pile of potatoes. “Clean, cut, and dry them. Toss them into that empty pot once done.”

I said nothing as I stood at the station rinsing potato after potato in the large tin bucket of water. My hands chilled as they dipped into the icy water, scrubbing the dirt and eyes away. It was mind-numbing, but easy work as I chopped them one by one into the large pot.

“Iyanna said no again, didn’t she?” Gia kept her eyes on the simmering liquid as she tossed in a heap of salt.

“Wow, what made you guess?”

Gia flicked her eyes to me. “Maybe if you cut the attitude, she’d say yes.”

I huffed out a groan. “She won’t say yes because she doesn’t trust me.”

“Have you done anything to earn her trust?”

I slammed the knife through the potato. Pieces slid into the vat. “How am I supposed to gain opportunities if she keeps sending me here?”

“Maybe she likes how you prepare her food.” Gia chuckled as she banged the metal spoon against the pot, releasing morsels into the brown liquid below.

“Gia, be serious.” I angled the knife toward her. “The real reason is because Naexi is?—”

“Naexi is a what?” The blonde poked her head through the opening, her brown eyes piercing in the dim faelight. Her arms crossed over her chest, her sword resting against the curve of her back. No hair or thread fell out of place, adding to the toxic atmosphere she carried with her.

I bit my lip as I shoved potatoes into the pot, my fingers trembling with hot, thrumming rage. I was angry these days—a type of anger that spewed fire to those near me. I knew why too.

I wanted more powder… more of Draven’s handiwork, but there was none to provide me with and my body hated it. I hated it. Hated how dependent I’d become on something so trivial as a foreign substance. I’d tried filling the void with ale, sweets, even food, but nothing seemed to lessen the carnal desire licking its lips within me. Most days I could suppress it, but with Naexi here now, I wasn’t sure I could.

“Go ahead. Say it, Moria,” she drawled, her footsteps light as she grabbed one of the potatoes and inspected it.

“Give that back,” I muttered, my knuckles white against the knife as I held back from slicing her perfect hair.

“See here?” Her manicured nails punctured the potato, the spot oozing black. “It’s rotten like you,” she mused, a grin forming. She chucked it into the bin before wiping the black residue onto my apron. She clicked her tongue. “Guess you’re not fit for kitchen duty.”

I slammed the knife down. “Bitch. That’s what I was going to say. Iyanna’s bitch .”

“How dare you–”

“Quiet, both of you!” Gia shoved my chest, sending me back a few steps. For a cook, she was surprisingly strong. “Take five and you”—she flicked her gaze to Naexi—“Out of my kitchen.”

I hesitated as my fingers reached for the knife. Gia snatched it from the cutting board. “Now,” she growled, her hand angling toward the exit.

“Fine.” I tossed the apron onto the workstation before pushing my way past Naexi, her shoulder bumping into mine. As I exited, I threw the flaps back. The cool breeze was pleasant against my flushed skin.

Naexi exited a moment later, her eyes glowering as she took large strides forward. “I don’t understand what your problem is.”

“My problem? Don’t you mean your problem with me? You’re causing me so much trouble and preventing me from leaving. I bet you tell Iyanna all kinds of lies about me.” Anger boiled like a kettle as I let it froth over the sides.

Naexi laughed as she picked black from under her nails. “Why would I spend my time talking about you? You’re not worth the air I’d expel to state your name.” She shifted her weight between her legs as her hands crossed her chest. “Be a good girl and stay in the kitchen.”

I shoved her chest, her frame flying back against a crate of boxes. They crumbled beneath her, a cough escaping her painted lips as she brushed splinters from her hair.

“You bitch !” she roared, scrambling to her feet.

“Be a good girl and leave,” I purred, my blood thrumming. “I don’t have iron chains holding me back anymore. It’s been so long since I’ve used my casting. I’d hate for my power to unleash itself and accidentally tear you in half.”

She spit dark liquid from her mouth. “Try me. You wouldn’t be the first caster I’ve killed.”

“Were any of them daughters of a general? Were any of them trained since birth to fight? To kill ruthlessly?”

Her brows narrowed as she reached back for her sword.

“Prison might have quelled my spirit, but Galar raised it from the dead.” I would not be a coward anymore. I had vowed revenge upon Hywell… upon those responsible for Ellia’s death. For all those made to suffer under his reign.

“You’re pathetic,” Naexi hissed. “What capabilities or stamina do you have to defeat me, a trained warrior who has defeated casters twice your size?”

“Stop your rambling and fight me. Otherwise, I have potatoes to cut.”

Naexi gripped the handle of her blade, ready to draw on its power as the tent flaps opened again.

“I told you to leave my kitchen!” Gia shouted. “I can still hear you both inside.”

“I did,” Naexi stated flatly.

Gia placed a hand on her hip as she surveyed the damage, her temple flaring red. “If you don’t leave, I’ll ensure Iyanna sends you here twice daily for dish duty.”

Naexi grumbled, but her hand fell at her side as she brushed past me, her elbow jutting into my side.

I turned around to follow as Gia’s hand gripped my shoulder. “It’s not worth it. Besides, you have potatoes to finish.”

“She—” But Gia’s brow rose, cutting me off as she shoved me inside.

“Leave it alone. You’re causing yourself more trouble. This camp is small enough you don’t need to make enemies.”

“It’s not like I set out to make them. She’s insufferable and acts like she’s the best item since salt. Plus, she tells Iyanna everything. I wouldn’t put it past her if she’s preventing me from leaving here. ”

Gia rotated her shoulder as she glanced at me. “She is Iyanna’s right hand.”

I dumped another batch of potatoes into the vat. “It’s not fair, especially when I’m more than capable of holding my ground. I could be useful in a raid. I want to help those in need, but I can’t do it from here.” My hands flattened on the table. The festering gnawing was slowly subsiding as I talked. “I made a promise, and so far, I’ve done nothing to uphold it.”

Gia rested the spoon against the pot. “Prove them wrong. Prove Naexi wrong. Actions speak louder than words, especially to Iyanna.” Gia pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m not supposed to know this, but?—”

“But?” I said, my heart jumping in my chest.

She let out an exasperated sigh. “Recently, an attack on Laias reduced the city to ash. Iyanna has an informant out there who is sending her updates as we speak, but with the rebels on the move, they will need a team moving forward to handle attacks. There is talk of a small group going to Gendry. If you hold this information?—”

“If I have this information, I can use it as leverage against them.”

Gia gave a curt nod. “It’s not public knowledge, so don’t mention my name to Iyanna. The last thing I need her worrying about is which soldiers gossip for an extra portion of meat.”

I ran over and pulled her into a sweeping hug. “Thank you.”

Gia gave my head a quick pat. “Don’t get yourself killed, okay? No one works as hard as you do.”

I chuckled. “You mean no one puts up with your demands like I do.”

Gia smiled before orders flew from her mouth. It would be a busy afternoon, but I didn’t mind it as I processed the information she’d spilled. With this, I could leave. I could finally have a chance to redeem myself.

The locket bounced against the nape of my neck. Maybe this would fill the aching in my chest… reduce Draven’s final hold to nothing.

Ellia, I’m finally doing something right.

Iyanna leaned back in the velvet crushed chair, her nails drumming against the open book in increasing tempo. ??Naexi paced under the glowing lights, her face stitched tightly together.

“I accept,” Iyanna mused, the corners of her lips lifting. “Well played.”

Naexi paused, her braid bouncing against her chest. “You can’t be serious.”

Iyanna shrugged, the folds of her dress swishing as she rose. “To keep the peace, I yield. As will you, Naexi.”

Naexi’s mouth parted, her eyes widening. “This is ridiculous. Who would believe her anyway?”

Iyanna raised her hand. “A tiny seed will still take root and fester, sowing distrust and deceit. It’s best to prevent it from ever being planted.”

Naexi bit her lip, her eyes pooling with malice. She remained silent as Iyanna turned her attention back to me. Her hands gripped a black book as she splayed it open on the table.

Naexi stepped forward, her fingers pointing to the map. “Here is Laias,” Naexi said as she bit back anger with each word. Her finger traced over dotted lines. “This is where the rebels originally attacked. A few were left behind to wipe out support. However, they were killed instead by a group our informant is leading.” Her fingers traced the location of each fight.

Naexi glanced at Iyanna, who nodded, sensing her hesitation. Naexi blew out a breath as she continued. “A caster who wields elemental casting resides in Laias at the moment. She has the power to manipulate and control darkness.”

My heart fluttered. ??Was it her? Was she alive? My eyes pricked with saltwater, but I kept my face neutral as Naexi continued, even if my heart wept for my friend. Thalia was alive and in Laias. I had no clue how or why, but no one else possessed her casting ability. There was no one else like her. It had to be her.

She was alive and not tied to her new master.

“With both the caster and our informant, they eradicated the rest of the rebels. Now cleared, they are helping rebuild Laias until Iyanna calls them here.”

“When?” My heart could barely contain my excitement. So much had happened since the last time we were tied to those cells together.

“Soon. That information is confidential, even to you,” Iyanna said, her eyes narrowing as she assessed my excitement.

Something sparked in the whites of her eyes that sent a chill down my back.

I cleared my throat, averting my gaze to the book. Something told me Iyanna would do whatever it took to win this war… perhaps even sacrifice Thalia in the process. What would she do if she came to find out my prior engagement with her? Would she use me as bait? Would it cause more harm to Thalia?

Do not provide information only you know. To tell is foolishness .

My father’s words echoed in my head. A warning. I would keep this to myself for now.

Naexi flipped through the book, stopping on a page labeled Gendry in the top right corner. Her finger jabbed the center, her eyes floating to mine. “Here.”

“Here?”

Naexi rolled her eyes. “This is where you’ll be sent to recover rebel plans. Based on our information, the rebels are supposed to have a recon meeting here to go over battle plans. We need those plans to prevent another situation like Laias from happening again. Since you are more than willing to help, you’ll go.” Naexi grinned.

“Correction, you’ll both be going.”

Naexi’s finger halted on the page, her nail slightly stabbing the ink. “Excuse me?”

“Silence,” Iyanna stated. “You’ll watch Moria to ensure this mission is successful. If it fails, we’ll have no access to their plans.”

Naexi’s eyes narrowed, but she shut the book and said, “When do we leave the Hideaway?”

Iyanna shifted, the golden hues mixing in with the deep reds of her dress. “Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I blurted out at the same time as Naexi.

“Iyanna, don’t be rash. The meeting isn’t supposed to happen for weeks,” Naexi said.

“The last information we received was off by two days. I will not take a chance. You both will leave tomorrow and stay in Gendry until this mission is cleared. Understood?”

“Yes,” Naexi muttered, dipping her head low.

“Moria?”

“Yes,” I muttered back, gripping the arms of my chair.

“Good. You both are released to pack and prepare,” Iyanna said, her back turning as she exited the tent .

We sat silently for a few minutes, the impact of what we were about to do mulling over.

Naexi cleared her throat. “If you mess up this mission for me, I’ll strike my sword through you.”

“Likewise,” I hissed.

Without another word, Naexi left, a void filling the once lively tent.

Left alone, my thoughts spiraled. Was she safe? How had she made it to Laias? Was Gayle with her?

Tears streamed down my cheeks, one after another as I wept for her. She was okay and she’d be coming here soon. It cured the lingering beast within as I released the tension from my shoulders?—

Stiffening, I wiped salt from my face.

I needed to pack—both mentally and physically—if I planned to survive an extended trip alone with Naexi.