Page 130 of Of Blood & Stone

“Aretta?” Sylzenya asked, “The legends say you… died.”

“The same is said about my brother, Distrathrus, and he’s very much alive. And yet, in many ways, we’re both dead,” the goddess replied, a sad smile on her lips. “I understand my brother’s blood flows through you, blocking your power and allowing him access into your mind. He has no such access here, in my tree.”

Sylzenya relaxed her shoulders, a well of buried excitement rushing to the surface.

She was in the presence ofAretta. The heartbeat she’d always found comfort in.

“My apologies,” Sylzenya quickly said, getting on her knees, placing both hands over her heart and bowing. “Praise be to you, oh goddess of life. May my life reflect your glory and bring you honor above all things.”

“Please, Sylzenya, you may rise,” Aretta gently chided, a soft hand alighting on her shoulder. “Formalities don’t befit the situation, not with the tasks laid before us.”

Smiling, Sylzenya lifted her head. “It brings me joy to know you were never dead, my goddess. Your life has given me life; your heartbeat has given me my own. I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d behold you.”

Aretta’s smile softened. “I’ve been keeping a close eye on you, Sylzenya, ever since your first day at the temple.”

“You have?” Sylzenya brightened.

“I have. More so than you know, but I’ll explain more of this soon. First, I must wake Kharis and offer you all some sustenance. You’ve gone through much to get here and we haven’t much time.”

Sylzenya turned to find Kharis fast asleep, leaning against one of the willows. Relief overcame her, then realization hit. She thought they’d miss the tree, the willow vanishing right before they dashed for it, but then it reappeared just in time. Otherwise, the arachni poison would’ve…

“Where’s Elnok?”

Aretta smiled, pointing towards a small clearing surrounded by white-flowered bushes. Sylzenya didn’t hesitate as she ran. Everything in her body burned from soreness, cuts, and bruises, but she didn’t care. She needed to see Elnok with her own eyes to know he hadn’t died.

Jumping through one of the bushes, her heart nearly collapsed as Elnok’s pale green gaze found hers. He was sitting, his olive skin no longer crawling with black webbed veins. Withhis typical dark disheveled hair, he gave her a half-smile that had begun to feel like home.

“I’ve got to admit, I’ve always thought your bloodied white robe needed a good wash, but now I don’t think you’ll be able to salvage a single piece of it,” Elnok chided, his voice gravelly as if he’d only just woken up. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying the lack of material.”

Sylzenya shook her head as she kneeled next to him. “Even after almost meeting your death, you’re somehow more shameless than ever.”

“I like to think people enjoy it.”

“Most people think you’re detestable.”

“But what do you think?” He smirked.

Sylzenya smiled, running a hand along his stubbled jaw. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”

His throat bobbed, his calloused hand finding hers. Mouth parting, his eyes dipped to her lips; heat built in her stomach as she leaned in?—

“Ah, well, I have you to thank for that.” Elnok’s smile disappeared as he pulled away, dropping her hand. “I think we better listen to what your goddess has to say so I can get what I need and leave as soon as I can.”

Sylzenya gulped, a sudden, unwelcomed warmth crowding her cheeks.

“Oh.” She slipped out the word like an afterthought.

A silence hung between them, as if they were back in the inn, Elnok’s rope stretched across the room, the sheet draped over it—separating them.

“Orym,” she whispered, the realization finally dawning on her. “You’ll need to go straight to Vutror once you’ve gotten the medicine.”

“Yes.” His eyes looked anywhere but at her.

“What…” she paused, steadying herself, “What will you do once he’s been healed?”

“Probably get a boat, sail away from this continent.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Keep my crew safe from whatever’s about to happen.”

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