Page 173 of Of Blood & Stone

Elnok turned around. Orym wore a confident smile. His crew waited in expectation. The Estean entourage seemed full of hope and anticipation.

He met Sylzenya’s gaze. She smiled, giving him a small nod, quickly wiping a tear from her cheek.

She would be adventuring across the continent—reviving it. Accepting this crown would mean returning home, but “home” wasn’t the gray stone castle where he was born.

Home was deep blue eyes, long ash-colored hair, skin that smelled of roses—just like the rose tea she loved so much—and long nights of conversation and pleasuring each other until they fell asleep. Home was soft skin and a pink scar running along a supple back.

Elnok faced his brother.

“Tosh, what happened to us ten years ago, it’s done. Over.”

His brother’s back straightened, hands trembling. “Elnok, I’m so sorry?—”

“It’s…” Elnok took a deep breath. “Look, what happened, it was wrong. And even though you’ll come to learn there was more at play… what happened can’t be taken away. But I need you to know that I’ve moved on from it. We can’t change what we did back then, but we can be different now.”

Tosh’s throat bobbed. “I think so too.”

Elnok smiled. “Good. And I think mother and father would want you to finally have a chance to lead this kingdom like you’d always wanted to. My path lies elsewhere.” He glanced back,catching Sylzenya’s eye. “Let’s move forward on our own paths, Tosh. I think we both deserve that, don’t you?”

Tosh shook his head, placing the crown back on the pillow. “A miscreant your entire childhood, and now you show up as possibly one of the wisest people I’ve met. How did that come to pass?”

Elnok smirked. “Being a miscreant isn’t all that bad, you know. You should try it sometime.”

They laughed, warm and bright.

Elnok grinned. “Kharis! Get your ass up here,now.”

Clanking armor sounded, Kharis’ rushed footsteps reaching Elnok’s side.

“Do you need something, Elno?—?”

“Oh shut up, Kharis, and kiss my brother already.” Elnok shoved Kharis into his brother’s arms.

Elnok raised his arms and everyone erupted into elated shouts. His crew threw the colored paper they’d collected, for gods know what reason, into the air while his brother and Kharis kissed one another passionately for all to see.

“Thank you, Elnok,” Tosh said, “You’re a good man.”

Elnok turned back around, giving his brother a nod. “People keep saying that to me, and I’m not sure how I like it.”

“Well, it’s true,” Kharis replied, holding Tosh close, “Better get used to it.”

“And you better make him your king, Tosh,” Elnok said, pointing to Kharis. “I’m sure an alliance between Vutror and Estea would only be beneficial at this time.”

Elnok turned back around, patting Orym’s shoulder as he rushed past his crew over to Sylzenya, picking her up in his arms and combing his hands through her hair.

“Are you not accepting the crown?” she asked, eyes wide.

“That rusted thing? Never.” He grinned. “Besides, why would I ever leave a woman who likes my rope just as much as I do?”

Her eyes narrowed, hands on either side of his face. “Are you certain about this? I’m planning on leaving in a few days.”

“And you think you can get rid of me that easily?”

“It’s not going to be luxurious. It’ll be hard work, probably monster hunting involved?—”

“I’d journey with you to the ends of the earth, Sylzenya. And if we made it there and you asked me if I wanted to journey to the heavens, I’d be by your side then, too.”

Smiling wider than he’d ever seen before, she kissed his lips, her tongue finding his as he spun her, the anticipation of life adventuring by her side until they were old and gray causing his heart to burst with color.

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