Page 63 of Of Blood & Stone

“We could be stripped of our titles if anyone knew,” she said.

“Interesting choice of words.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Are you capable of saying anything with substance?”

Elnok crossed his arms, his thick corded muscles accentuated in his black tunic. Sylzenya’s face burned hotter, but she attributed it to the sunshine spilling through the leaves.

“You really think your High One doesn’t know these little…adventuresbetween your Kreenas and Dynameis take place?”

Sylzenya scoffed. “If he did, then he’d have no more Kreenas or Dynameis left.”

“Soeveryonedoes it, do they? And has anyone ever been caught?”

Sylzenya paused. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“Fascinating.”

Uncertainty pulled at her mind. “It’s the truth. I swear by Aretta, if anyone was found out, they’d be strippe—removedof their title.”

He shrugged. “Of course. But I imagine it must be averyexciting rule to break. Adds some tension… some heat to those lustrous nights?”

It did.

“It’s nothing special.”

“Oh, I seriously doubt that.” He leaned in even closer. “What better way to add some excitement to such dangerous and painful roles you all have to fill than having an arbitrary threat come between a person and their most primal desire? A taste of forbidden fruitisquite the delicacy. And there’s nothing like the rush of getting away with something so spectacular.”

Heat burned along her skin. “If you’re suggesting the rule is some way to distract us…controlus… then you misunderstand my kingdom far more than I realized.”

He smirked. “You can blame my guide. She’s supposed to be giving me arich exposure.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Not the guide’s fault if the pompous, radically self-assured visitor refuses to listen to a word she says.”

“Pompous? I thought I was cursed?”

“I’m beginning to think you are.”

Sylzenya gulped, realizing her nose was inches from his; his curved lips held her full attention. She should’ve stepped back, given herself more room, but it’d feel too much like defeat, as if this wasn’t a mere conversation but a battle for truth.

“We can trust Nyla.” She forced her eyes to meet his.

Elnok opened his mouth as if to say something, but then he tilted his head, his eyes breaking from her gaze to study her face. She refused to move. Try all he wanted, but he wouldn’t unravel her. Even if the High One was acting different than usual, she’d figure it out in the end. This prince, or thief, or whatever he was, meant little. He wasn’t only questioning her kingdom—he was questioning her life.

Finally, he leaned back. Sylzenya readjusted her robe, the heat in her skin refusing to ebb.

“I still don’t like this plan,” Elnok said, “but I suppose there’s no stopping you, is there?”

Sylzenya folded her arms over her chest, the burn in her face washing away.

“We need to know the location of the compass, and the only way we might be able to do so is with a Kreena’s power. Nyla’s the only one I trust.” She paused. “If I could do it, I would.”

Elnok took a deep breath. “Then let’s hope you’re not wrong.”

“Your faith is inspiring.”

“So I’ve been told.”

Sylzenya surprised herself with a small laugh. She quickly passed it off as a cough, but she didn’t miss the sidelong smile he sent her. Her face burned again. She forced her eyes to meet his, not missing the dimpled smile he sent her; she bit the inside of her cheek as she shook herself of this conniving royal and picked her way down the path.

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