Page 156 of Of Blood & Stone

A voice, deep and guttural, released from her throat, “Your days were numbered the day you entered my kingdom, Elnok Rogdul.”

Elnok’s eyes widened as her goddess’ power transformed, no longer golden light but black flames. Veins turning dark as ink, Sylzenya launched Elnok off of her. He flew through the air, sword still in hand as he slammed into the cavern wall. Orodyte crumbled from above as he slid to the ground.

She wanted to retch.

“Up, Sylzenya,” Distrathrus commanded from behind her, “I’ve had enough of his insolence.”

His control wrapped around her like vines. Gripping her sword so tight her knuckles cracked and bled, she stalked towards Elnok. He was still slumped to the ground, his head bleeding.

She tried fighting against Distrathrus’ barrier, the pool of blood she was drowning in, no longer able to find purchase within herself.

Get up,she thought, trying her best to shout it at him.Get up, Elnok!

He turned his gaze to her, sorrow filling his face.

No,she shouted into the void.Get up! Please, dear gods, get the fuck up!

Teeth clenched, Elnok slowly rose to his feet.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he breathed.

Her lips loosened as she screamed, “Stop acting like a prince and think like a godsdamn thief. Do what needs to be done.”

“No.”

“You’re the better fighter,” she yelled. “Stop letting me get the upper hand and end this. End me, if you have to. Think about your people, about Orym?—”

Her mouth closed again. She cursed herself. Distrathrus was doing this on purpose; he was allowing her to say the words heknew would keep Elnok in this fight. Digging deep into herself, she fought for her body—fought for the golden power to overtake his blood and flow through her veins. She clenched her jaw, pain slicing into her back, down her spine, and up her neck, cracking into her head.

She drowned further still, yellow glowing eyes staring into hers.

You’re mine.

She launched forward.

Metal against metal screeched in her ears. Elnok’s pale green eyes filled with anguish as he pushed against her. She stared at him, pleading with her own eyes—he needed to end this. To end her.

Hope ignited in her stomach as she stumbled back.

He jabbed. She parried. He spun with a quick slice to her thigh, but she caught it before it could touch her. Elnok was gaining ground, his movements growing faster, his sword close to finding its mark. He was going to do it. Sylzenya begged it from him, that he might kill her if it meant Distrathrus would finally be defeated.

Elnok parried one of her blows and, instead of dodging, he crashed into her, pinning her to the ground with the sword at her throat.

Do it. Please. Release me from this hell.

Elnok growled, “Do you really want me to hurt your most powerful Kreena, Distrathrus?”

A dark laugh filled the cavern as Sylzenya’s tongue loosened.

“Do you wish to kill the one you love, little thief?”

Elnok’s grip faltered.

No.

Sylzenya tried to stop herself, but it was too late. Elnok's moment of hesitation was all Distrathrus—all Sylzenya—needed.

She drove her sword into Elnok's stomach.

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