Page 67 of Of Blood & Stone

He took a few more shuddered breaths. Taking her hand into his, he pressed her palm against his tear-stained face.

“Is it over?” he asked, his voice small and quiet.

“Yes, it’s over,” Sylzenya whispered back.

He finally opened his eyes. They were bloodshot, and yet, his green irises seemed brighter. Blinking rapidly, he sat up straighter, brows raising as he rubbed his thumb along her knuckles, sending shivers along her skin.

“Sylzenya… my apologies, I don’t… I’m not sure why this keeps happening.”

Sylzenya looked at the plum on the ground.

Perhaps some fruit from the gardens would do him well,the High One had said,see to it you provide him some of our best today, will you?

Something twisted in her gut.

“I’m not sure, but we can come back to the temple tomorrow,” she replied, “Right now, let’s just get some food into you and some rest.”

Purple and crimson sky met them as they returned to the inn. Helena, the innkeeper, prepared another salted rice bowl and boiled potatoes for Elnok. They situated themselves back in their single room, the rope and sheet hung between them. He didn’t speak as he sat on his bed. She let him eat in peace, tending to the villagers in the plaza, retelling the origin story of Aretta and Distrathrus just as the High One requested.

But it didn’t matter if the High One found her worthy in this way, her preaching was only meant to keep his suspicions buried in the ground. She was going to find the compass so her people could have hopeanda future.

And she knew where to start their search.

Chapter 16

Everything’s Changed

Elnok woke early the next morning and helped Helena make breakfast. The innkeeper had been nervous at first with him being in a space without Sylzenya’s presence, afraid the “curse” might awaken if she wasn’t there to stop him. But eventually she relaxed, making jokes and telling stories of her childhood as she taught him how to knead dough and fry an egg on a skillet. She even shared a few stories of Sylzenya as a child, such as the time where she chased a chicken into a lake, nearly drowning the poor creature. Apparently, she’d returned with it alive and well, although she was soaking wet with scratches covering her arms and face.

He found himself smiling, only to remind himself how his crew might be faring at this moment. They were in Vutror’s castle, so they would have access to food and clean water, but it wasn’t much compared to the vast amount of foods Helena prepared for her small breakfast nook. It was a strange mix of feelings—how he hated this kingdom and yet found joy in a moment like this.

He thanked her for the help and returned to his and Sylzenya’s room with a plate of hot eggs, chilled fruit, seared greens, a couple slices of wheat bread with butter, and a hot tea.

Decadence.

“Morning,” he announced as he opened the door, “Helena said rose tea was your favorite, so?—”

“Can youknock?” Sylzenya yelled as she pulled one of the sheets over her.

Elnok smiled as he sauntered to his side of the room. “There’s a lock for a reason, you know.”

“You’re horrible.”

“Opportunistic.”

She shuffled behind the curtain, grumbling to herself.

“Did you say rose tea?” she asked.

“I did.”

She pulled the curtain away, her mouth gaping and eyes wide. She wore the Kreena robe she had on when he’d arrived. Old and bloodied. Beautiful yet stained with her pain.

“What… what is this?” she asked.

“It’s called breakfast.” He smirked. “And also a thank you. I’m afraid I’ve been quite the handful the past two days.”

“Oh, Elnok, you didn’t have to.”

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