Page 14 of Of Blood & Stone

“You will see to it that Theraden Phatris and his wife remain in the dungeons under stern watch,” the High One said to the priestesses that followed him into the sanctuary. “There will be no trial, for we all saw his treason with our own eyes. Now go and make sure the newly ordained Kreenas are accounted for. Have each of them checked thoroughly. We will save the celebratory banquet for another day.”

The priestesses turned and left, but the High One’s gaze latched onto Sylzenya, and she saw something she’d never witnessed from him before.

Panic.

“What is this?” The High One questioned as he took long, quick strides towards her and Nyla, “What’s happened?”

Sylzenya couldn’t find the words so Nyla spoke instead.

“She tried to commune with Aretta.”

The High One kneeled before them, his cold hand running along Sylzenya’s face. The chill caused her to flinch.

“She’s lost too much blood,” the High One replied, “I’ll take her to the infirmary. Nyla, go ahead and return to your chamber. There will be a priestess waiting for you.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Nyla said as she passed Sylzenya to the High One’s extended arms. “We’ll talk later, Syl, alright?”

Sylzenya forced a wary smile. “Alright.”

Never had the High One done anything like this before. He’d walked alongside her, talked with her, but never had she experienced any kind of touch from him except a pat on the shoulder. She meant to steady her posture while he carried herthrough the temple’s halls, winding through the many corridors decorated with torches, vines, and flowers, but her strength was gone. She slumped against his chest instead, which was somehow just as cold as his hands.

“You must rest, Sylzenya, understand?”

The concern in his voice surprised her.

“I understand,” she wheezed.

They finally made it to the infirmary, a room full of shelves lined with glassware of all shapes and sizes. Vines and roses wove up and around the walls and ceiling.

He instructed one of the nurses to fetch herbs for Sylzenya’s cut as well as for sleep. He placed her face down on a cot made of feathers and covered in soft satin. When the High One crouched down to her eye level, she couldn’t help notice how his yellow gaze looked brighter than usual–more alert.

“Were you able to commune with Aretta through the roots?” His voice was a low whisper.

That same hope from earlier filled her chest, but then it doused like water on flames.

What was she going to tell him? She saw a bird and it told her to find a legendary willow with a compass? It sounded absurd. Itwasabsurd. She’d just been poisoned, and now she was bleeding so much she couldn’t see straight.

Explaining this would be impossible, and she needed to know for certain if she believed what she’d seen with her own eyes before burdening her leader. When her parents had left her to the temple, the High One had been the one who recognized her power. He’d been there when she needed comfort. He’d been the one who stood by her when she needed it most.

He’d given her a purpose.

She didn’t need to worry him more after today’s events.

She heard herself answer as if she was somewhere far away, “I don’t know.” The pain in her body ached and scraped against her bones.

The High One’s ageless face didn’t change, his eyes still steadied on hers.

“You’ll get your power back, I’ll make sure of it,” He stood. “I’ll be holding a dinner for all the Kreenas tomorrow evening. I will need you to be in attendance as well, so please, get as much rest as possible.”

Silence.

“Yes, Your Grace,” she finally whispered.

As Estea’s leader left the infirmary, Sylzenya ingested everything the nurse offered her. And as sleep slowly took her away from her despair, she saw the bird’s deep blue eyes as it held the gold ring in its beak. It stood upon the compass, the needle bright and pointing towards a glowing, crystallized willow.

Your choice has been made, the bird’s voice echoed as she drifted to sleep,and so your consequence is set in blood and stone.

Chapter 4

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