Page 62 of Of Blood & Stone

She stopped underneath a large willow. “I just lied for you, and you still don’t trust me?”

“Whoa, let’s remember some fine details, shall we? You sticking out your neck for me wasn’t just for my sake, but yours. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful, but I’m not convinced you know who you can trust.”

Sylzenya raised a brow. “You know how Kreenas aren’t supposed to leave the temple?”

Elnok tilted his head. “Right?”

“Nyla and I have before.”

“I thought you’d never lied to the High One?”

She shrugged. “He never asked.”

He laughed. The sound was deep and full, reverberating through her own chest. She approached him, the smell of his warm skin a surprising comfort.

Lowering her voice to a whisper, she said, “It was three years ago at the annual banquet. We were approached by two Dynameis who were severely drunk. Nyla and I weren’t much better, admittedly.”

“You sly dog.” He smirked. “A golden warrior did you in, did he?”

Sylzenya scowled. “Do you have to be so crass?”

His smile widened. “And how was it?”

She narrowed her gaze.

“Let me guess,” he said, leaning in, “Underwhelming?”

Yes.

“Privacy is an important value in my kingdom, so I’d prefer you not invade such an intimate matter,” she muttered.

“You brought it up,” he teased. “Sounds like you had the night of your life.”

Sylzenya eyed him, heat rushing through her face as she studied his physique. “I learned attractiveness doesn’t guarantee much. It’s all bravado and shining armor until behind closed doors.”

“Is that so?” he whispered, leaning in closer, “Perhaps you just needed someone outside of your… typical scope.”

Her breath caught. She collected herself, backing away, “I know you’re not suggesting yourself?”

“Me? And you?” He scoffed. “I think we’d end up throwing punches instead.”

“It’d be like a Dynami fighting a monster,” she agreed, and yet her heart beat fast against her chest.

“Who’s who?” He smiled.

“You’d be the monster. Just look at how disheveled you are.”

“Then you’re the prim and proper warrior? Fitting, considering how straight you standallthe time. Looks exhausting.”

She laughed—a hard kind of laugh that hurt her belly, as if a spark of lightning had passed through her, leaving her warm and bright. But she quickly caught herself, clenching her jaw tight.

Elnok smiled, only to thin his mouth again. “Butthat’syour reasoning? You two went on a secret sexual escapade?”

“Would you bequiet?” Sylzenya whispered. “It’s one of Aretta’s highest laws to not only stay at the temple, but also to never…”

“Fuck?”

Sylzenya’s face burned as she shushed him. Anyone else and this conversation would’ve made her want to burrow into a rodent’s underground home. But this man was impermanent;she doubted she’d ever see his face again after the treaty revisions.

---