Page 64 of Of Blood & Stone

Willow branches brushing their arms, they passed through the entrance. Rays of golden light spilled along the path. Sylzenya’s fingers flexed at the sight of the Kreenas in their designated plots. Closing her eyes, she muttered a prayer, something she knew would only bring her disappointment. She ushered in life, waiting to hear the dirt sing to her, for Aretta’s blood in the soil to breathe against her palms.

She felt nothing.

She couldn’t touch it, couldn’tfeelit. The cut on her back stung as a piece of her chest caved into itself.

“Sylzenya?” Elnok’s voice called to her.

Fresh air swept into her lungs as she looked up, vision blurry.

“Are you alright?” he asked, brows furrowed.

She nodded. “Nyla should be a bit further down.”

She was grateful he didn’t ask any more questions as they walked past Kreenas, each woman’s skin shining with sweat, their backs bleeding fresh blood—white robes stained with life, dripping crimson onto the dirt. Sylzenya’s heart leapt from her chest as she saw the familiar dark hair and pale skin of her friend. Nyla’s shoulders were burnt slightly red as she kneeled in her plot of land, a fresh plum tree wrapped in yellow light slowly but surely growing as tall as Sylzenya.

“These better taste juicier than yesterday’s batch,” Sylzenya said.

Nyla smiled, removing her hands from the dirt, their goddess’ power retreating into the soil.

“Syl.”

Nyla’s hug was warm and familiar. Sylzenya buried her face into her shoulder, realizing just how taxing the last day had been.

“And this must be Prince Elnok, is it?” Nyla asked as she stepped back, releasing Sylzenya from her hold and narrowing her gaze at him. “Came to the grove to put your curse on us?”

“I’d be doing a poor job if I didn’t,” he replied.

Nyla’s narrowed gaze slowly lifted, a smile appearing in its turn. “You’re not as stiff as I expected.”

“No. That’s her job.” He tipped his head towards Sylzenya.

Nyla laughed. “One day and he’s already got you figured out, hasn’t he?”

Sylzenya raised a brow. He returned with a sly smile.

“I have a favor to ask,” Sylzenya said.

Nyla stopped laughing. “Is everything alright?”

“No.”

Nyla’s smile disappeared.

“But you have to promise you won’t tell anyone.” Sylzenya lowered her voice. “No other Kreenas, no acolytes, and especially not the High One.”

Her friend’s amber eyes widened. “Syl, what’s going on?”

“Can I trust you?”

“Always.”

Sylzenya took a deep breath, her heart battering against her chest. “Remember how I sought Aretta through the altar room’s roots?”

“Please tell me you aren’t doing that again,” she urged, gripping Sylzenya’s shoulder, “you almostdied.”

Sylzenya gulped. She could feel Elnok’s stare burning into her face.

“I learned my lesson. What I didn’t tell you was that I received a vision about Aretta’s Willow when it happened.”

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