Page 54 of Of Blood & Stone

“Be wary of who you trust.”

“I should’ve never trustedyou.”

“I told you you would regret this path.” The bird continued, “What has been sealed cannot be undone. Find the compass, Sylzenya, or all will be lost. Find Aretta’s Willow, or more than just your power and people will be taken away.”

A flower broke through the ground and bloomed, its petals twisting and glowing until it turned into the golden compass, its center glowing with the single piece of bark pointing to the glowing tree. Another flower tore through the dirt and transformed into a golden ring. It shone like the sun, only to turn crimson, melting into blood. An orodyte emerged from the ground, the blood filling the stone until it pulsed a glowing red.

“The price for life will always be pain.” the bird echoed, its body snatched by a claw of twigs, its blood and feathers swirling into the darkness.

Sharp pain ruptured along Sylzenya’s back as everything around her swirled into a blinding white. She screamed louder, begging the bird to come back and tell her what it all meant?—

She jolted awake, sweat dripping down her face. Gulping thick spit down her throat, she remembered herself; she was in the village, following through with the High One’s orders, sharing a room with?—

“Did you have a nice dream?” a deep voice asked from the darkness.

Prince Elnok.Sylzenya turned to find him sitting on the floor next to her bed, holding a candle, his face tossed in light and shadow.

“My apologies,” she said, “Did I wake you?”

She lifted her hands, only to find she couldn’t. Confusion pulled at her mind as she tried again only to realize they were secured to her bedpost.

With rope.

“Like I said, my rope isn’t made for decor,” Prince Elnok said, motioning to the bed sheet no longer suspended between theirsides of the room. “Now,” he continued, tilting his head, “Tell me everything you know about Aretta’s Willow.”

Blood raced through her heart and veins, her breaths uneven. She tried to stay calm, but this man’s unwavering gaze had her shaking. Wrists chafing against the rope, she wondered why she’d thought to stay in this room with a man who had been claimed dead for ten years.

Be wary of who you trust.

“I don’t know what you’re going on about,” Sylzenya replied, trying to keep her voice even, “I had a nightmare, that’s it. Now let me go, or I’ll tell the High One about this.”

Prince Elnok stood up. Setting the candle on her bedside table, he took hold of the rope and tightened it. She winced, the rough material biting into her wrists. She wanted to scream for the innkeeper, but the woman might believe this princewascursed.

Rumors would start. She’d fail the High One’s tasks, and then he’d withhold her cure. She needed to get out of this as calmly as possible.

Elnok ignored her words, “The issue here is that if you don’t tell me what you know about Aretta’s Willow and this compass you screamed about, I might just let your little secret slip with one of these villagers. I’m guessing rumors spread fast in this kingdom.”

Sweat poured down her aching back. “Again, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“The villagers would be less frightened if you were to demonstrate your power,” he said, mocking the innkeeper’s voice, “What’d you tell that sweet old lady, again? Something about how the cure hasn’t fully developed in your body or some bullshit?” He crossed his arms. “How do you think your kingdom would feel knowing you’ve been lying to them about thiscure?”

Her stomach dropped. Everything she’d said in the dream, she’d said out loud.

He had heard everything.

“It isn’t a lie,” she seethed.

“Gods, your trust in your ‘blessed’ High One is remarkable. So, according to him, you’re going to receive a cure. Why not just tell your kingdom the truth, then?” He leaned forward, his green eyes shifting in the candlelight, “What do you think your leader is hiding?”

The blood drained from her face. She yanked against the rope only for it to tighten more. She cursed.

“He isn’t hiding anything,” she muttered.

“I’m sure.” He smiled. “Now, what do you say? Tell me about the healing tree and compass, and I’ll keep this secret tucked away nice and tight? I’d say it’s a pretty generous offer.”

Sylzenya gritted her teeth, snarling at him as his smile grew.

“Why do you need the tree?”

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