Page 129 of Of Blood & Stone

He stared into the face of the woman who had sung nighttime lullabies, tended to his cuts and scrapes, and taught him that, in order to be a decent human, he needed to be there for those who needed him most.

He’d failed his brother.

He wasn’t going to fail Orym too.

Aretta pressed her palm to the grass, her eyes fluttering shut as golden light sprung from the ground, circling around her arms the same way it did to Sylzenya. But unlike Sylzenya, there was no cut sliced into Aretta’s back. As she pulled her hand from the ground, a glowing glass vial formed out of the earth, the contents a bright white.

The magic vanished as she opened her eyes.

“Have your friend drink this, and he’ll be healed,” Aretta said, “But first, you, Sylzenya, and Kharis are going to hear what I have to say.”

Elnok grasped for the vial, but it vanished from her hand. He’d found it—Orym’s medicine—and he still couldn’t have it.

“I’m not joining in your sibling fight.”

“And you don’t have to,” she replied, kneeling next to Sylzenya, “but I doubt you want to go through the forest without these two.”

Elnok couldn’t refute that statement. The goddess used magic to wake up Sylzenya, the golden light highlighting her face, her dark-blue eyes deep and full as she opened them. Before he met her stare, a gaze that would surely be his undoing, he reminded himself why he came here.

He couldn’t stay, no matter how badly he wished to.

Even if he was falling in love with Sylzneya, because he had no doubt that’s what this was, he needed to save Orym, return to his crew, and get them off this continent before Distrathrus could take more from him than he already did.

Elnok wasn’t a hero, and he certainly didn’t plan to become one now.

Chapter 30

Aretta’s Willow

Gold light swirled above Sylzenya’s head, power circling and dancing in the darkness. A fluttering echoed in her ear, followed by a flash of gray and white feathers.

There is more pain than that which carves into your back, Sylzenya Phatris.

Haziness ruled her mind as she tried to sit up. The bird’s wings fluttered faster in her ears, the gold light pulsing and crackling, the darkness growing heavier with each passing moment.

You will regret choosing this path. I have seen it.

Heart beating fast, Sylzenya fought for more breaths, unable to locate the bird despite its echoing voice.

There are many things that I cannot say, even if I wish to.The creature continued, its deep blue eyes piercing through the darkness,But I will say this—be wary of who you trust.

Sylzneya tried to speak, yell, even scream. Nothing but pain sliced through her throat.

For life there is a price, and only in pain is it made whole, Sylzenya Phatris,the bird shrieked into her ears.Your choice has been made, and so your consequence is set in blood and stone.

Sylzenya bolted upright. Warm light bathed everything around her. Willow branches swayed in the warm breeze, red and yellow flowers dotted the grass hugging her skin, and a familiar woman kneeled next to her, the ash-colored hair spilling onto her exposed knees.

A choke caught in Sylzenya’s throat.

Mother.

Yearning and confusion rolled through her stomach. Memories of love and abandonment. Love and expectation. Hot and cold. Even though Sylzenya knew her mother and father had been under the influence by Distrathrus’ blood all those years ago, the sting of abandonment still hadn’t left.

She wasn’t sure if it ever would.

“Sylzenya Phatris, welcome to my willow. While to you I bear the image of your mother, my true identity is that of Aretta—the goddess of life—and so, I appear as the one who gave life to you.”

Sylzenya blinked hard, the image of her mother and the goddess’ words disorienting. In all her years of study, she’d never heard of Aretta appearing as such, but then again, the goddess’ image was never made known. She’d been depicted as a woman of all body types, all hair lengths, all skin tones. Surprised, she realized how accurate these depictions had been.

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