Page 61 of Of Blood & Stone

Elnok raised his hands in mock surrender, deniability always his safety net.

“Did he suspect anything?” she asked, a drop of sweat beading down her face.

“I’m not sure what you’re asking me.”

“Did the High One suspect I lied? That I was keeping information from him?” The shimmer in her deep blue eyes was replaced by a strained plea. “It’s clear you’re well-versed in spying. So tell me what you saw.”

He sighed. “I think you’d know that better than me.”

“Damnit,” she cursed, a tear sliding down her face as she scrunched her eyes shut. Her breaths slowed as she leaned against the wall. “I’ve never done that before.”

“Lied?”

“I’ve lied many times,” she retorted, “But… never to him.”

Elnok’s heart pounded as they stood in silence. Apparently he hadn’t been the only one to misjudge her.

“Be wary of who you trust,” she whispered, more to herself than to him.

She turned towards the image of the glowing willow, the pool’s light shimmering on the wall and in her widened eyes.

“If you still want my help, I think I might know a way to find the compass,” she said.

He stopped spinning his gold ring.

She could’ve gotten her cure by turning him in, but instead, she lied to her leader—lied to a powerful man who held her close. A precarious choice, and he knew she could feel it; if the High One found out she’d kept information from him, she might risk never getting her cure. And yet, she’d done it anyway—protecting Elnok in the process. It was something he and his crew would do for each other. He never thought this pious, radicalized woman was capable of such things.

It was refreshing to be proved wrong every once in a while.

“Well then, Your Holiness.” He smirked, stepping next to her. “Enlighten me.”

She smiled, and damn it all if it didn’t bring him to his knees.

Chapter 15

Trust

One month.

The High One had successfully developed her cure, the very thing to restore her connection with their goddess, and yet, he wouldn’t give it to her for an entiremonth. And for what, a single mistake? The villagers had calmed down; she’d fixed it. And still, he punished her.

She’d known the High One to be severe at times, holding Kreenas to higher expectations than acolytes, but this was cruel. He thought he could control her, and perhaps hehadall these years, but this time she would forge her own path.

For if he truly cared for their kingdom’s wellbeing, he wouldn’t wait to restore her power.

If he truly cared forher, he wouldn’t withhold her destiny.

What do you think your leader is hiding?

She’d dismissed Elnok’s accusation last night as ignorance. But now, she couldn’t stop asking herself the same question.

“Are you sure we can trust your friend?” Elnok asked quietly as they walked out of the temple and through the gardens.

Last night’s festivities had been promptly cleaned up. All wine glasses and barrels were out of sight, the hanging orodytes returned to the Dynami barracks, and all extra produce takento villagers’ homes. Willow branches swayed in the breeze, brushing against each other, a sound that usually brought Sylzenya peace. But she didn’t feel at peace anymore, hadn’t since the rite.

“Nyla will understand the severity of the situation,” Sylzenya replied.

“What makes you so sure?”