Page 50 of Of Blood & Stone

“And you can tell them it will be so. I swear on Aretta’s blood,” Sylzenya whispered back.

“Do you think—?” The old woman’s voice caught as she lowered her voice further, “Do you think he’s brought the famine with him? Will our people be wrought by sickness? Are we cursed now?”

“He wouldn’t have made it through Lhaal Forest if that were so,” Sylzenya replied, “You can tell the villagers there’s nothing to fear. Our goddess stopped Distrathrus; she wouldn’t leave us vulnerable to a man who can’t hold his wine.”

Elnok’s mind fought to catch up. The villagers were frightenedhe’dbrought the famine and plague to them. If his chest didn’t ache so much, he might’ve laughed.

“Of course, Your Holiness,” the old woman replied.

“Please, Helena, you can just call me Sylzenya.”

“Your kindness has been missed since the day you were dedicated to the temple.” The woman, Helena, continued, “It’s why I was so glad to hear it was you, of all Kreenas, who had been gifted with such power. And as far as your parents…” The woman took a heavy breath. “I should’ve known something was wrong. They’d stopped coming to the weekly fountain ceremonies, but I had assumed it was because your mother’s shop was extra busy due to the springtime bloom.”

“It’s alright,” Sylzenya interrupted, “even the High One hadn’t expected it. Everything’s been figured out, and I can already feel my power grow stronger each day.”

Elnok didn’t miss the strain in her voice.

“Praise Aretta herself,” Helena breathed, “You know, the villagers would be less frightened by the Vutrorian prince if you were to demonstrate your power.”

Sylzenya huffed a small laugh. “I wish I could. But, the High One informed me I can’t use my power until this cure has finished its work. I’m afraid a demonstration will have to wait until then.”

A silence pulled in the room. Elnok fought his way up to his elbows. Sylzenya stood in the doorway, her back to him. She no longer wore her white bloodied robe but a plain brown linen shirt and black linen pants, her ash-colored hair in a single plait down her back. The old woman stood outside the doorway, thegentle wrinkles on her face deepening as she stared long and hard.

“I see,” she replied, “Then I’ll let the villagers know you’ll be with the prince every hour of every day.”

Sylzenya nodded. “Fine by me.”

Helena narrowed her gaze. “I hope you find peaceful sleep, Your Holiness.”

Sylzenya raised her hand as if to reply, but Helena shut the door. Sylzenya’s head drooped along with her shoulders.

Go back to sleep before she sees you.

It’s what Elnok had wanted for over a day now: time to get some fucking rest after an entire day in Lhaal Forest, almost being killed by arachnis, playing political pawn for the High One, and drinking the same fucking wine his brother drowned himself in.

But instead, he stared at this nuisance of a woman and felt… sorry for her.

Damnit.

“So I’m cursed now?” Elnok said, his throat sharp with pain.

Sylzenya jumped, missing a step as she stumbled against the door. She cursed as she stood upright, brushing dust off her pants. Elnok laughed, the pressure in his chest turning into a fit of coughs.

“You could’ve told us you were awake,” she replied, blowing a loose strand of hair out of her face.

“But there’s nothing quite like hearing what others have to say about you when they think you’re unconscious,” Elnok said with a smile, “and I must say, I’m rather offended you only see me as a man who can’t hold his wine. Being seen as a curse sounds far more interesting.”

“And who says that’s not how I truly feel about you, Prince?”

“Please, Sylzenya, you can just call me Elnok.” He smirked.

She muttered a string of curses as she strode away from the door. Elnok’s smile grew wider, finding he enjoyed this crude side of her, until she walked behind a white sheet draped across the room, splitting it in half.

Usinghisrope.

“What is this?” Elnok questioned as he sat up straight, wincing at the pain in his shoulders, “Give me back my rope. If you do it quickly, I’ll forget this offense.”

She slid the white sheet to the side, poking her face through. “I’d rather not.”

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