Page 16 of An Empress of Earth & Darkness

The red-headed witch hesitated.

“Sybil.” Emara’s eyes widened.

“Okay, okay. I think I have found something.”

“Found something?”

Sybil reached into the satchel strapped around her chest that seemed to have more books in it than the Huntswood library. “Here it is.” She brought out a leather-bound grimoire that was hanging together by some sort of miracle. “This is the grimoire that Gideon gave to me for the winter solstice.” Her cheeks seemed to beam at the mention of the Blacksteel’s name. “What does this look like to you?”

Sybil handed over the old book full of witchcraft.

A gasp stopped in Emara’s throat as her heart quickened. “Is that…”

“The Resurrection Stone?” Sybil finished for her. “Yes. And look on this page here.” She pointed to another diagram that was old and scribbly. “I think this could be the Protection Stone.”

Emara looked up and met Sybil’s gaze. “Oh, my Gods.”

“I know.” She smiled. “It’s the first thing I have found in months.”

Emara quickly looked around herself, noting that the dining room was rather empty; but still, these walls had ears, and they were all for Viktir. She pushed the grimoire towards Sybil again. “Remember to be careful,” she whispered. “The commander has spies everywhere, and we do not need him knowing that we are looking into finding the Gods’ ancient Stones.”

It wasn’t just the Dark Army they were against in finding the stones that bound Veles to the underworld. She was fighting her father, Balan, and Viktir was an enemy too.

“My apologies. I just got too excited to show you.” Sybil’s moss-green eyes shone brightly, like she had found another purpose in life. “I really think I could be on to something, Emara.”

Emara chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Who did you say wrote this stuff?”

Sybil grinned from ear to ear. “This is the best part. The journaling in this grimoire has been passed down through the centuries. It is predominantly witches from House Earth, but the entries involving the stones are from someone else entirely.”

“Who?” Emara leaned forward.

“The Black Widow Witch herself.” Sybil almost let out an excited squeal.

“As in the oracle who is half witch, half Fae?” Emara’s eyes almost fell from her head. “The woman who is hundreds of years old but never ages?”

“Yes.” The earth witch leaned forward. “This is massive, Emara. She has written it all in the ancient language, which I am still to translate, but I am convinced she will know where they are.”

Emara took in a breath. “This is amazing, Sybil.” She bit into her lip to stop the smile from spreading. “After the prime meeting, we will look into it further. You are an absolute diamond.”

Sybil picked up another carrot as she placed the ancient grimoire back into her satchel that probably weighed more than her.

Emara let out a breath in the comfortable silence that settled in between them and picked up her fork again.

“Do you think the prime will question why you haven’t sowed your oats to Gideon Blacksteel yet at the meeting tomorrow?” Sybil asked casually.

Emara’s lungs collapsed in on themselves, and she dropped her fork. “Sybil, by the Gods.”

“What?” She crunched down on the vegetable. “It could come up.”

A nervous flutter ignited in her stomach. “I hope they listen to what I want to propose in regard to my trio instead of my treaty.”

“With what you have planned, they’ll listen for sure.” Sybil let out a small giggle. “But I can’t help but wonder, are you ever going to get over the fact that you are promised to Gideon?”

“Sybil, for the love of Rhiannon, you are really hitting me with the hard questions today.” She laughed uncomfortably and used her fork to toy around with her food. It was much more complicated than that. So much had happened. But when Sybil’s innocent laugh died down, Emara shook her head. “I don’t think I can.”

Sybil gave a small yet encouraging smile. “You will. He will treat you well. He’s a good man.”

Emara agreed, but it wasn’t long before she placed down her fork again, unable to eat anything.

---