Page 80 of Of Blood & Stone

Heat and cold swirled in Elnok’s veins, his fingers shaking as he leaned across the table, forcing Kharis to look in his eyes. A bright light erupted from the Dynameis behind him, the two warriors yelling, one of them landing a hard punch to the other’s face. It reminded him of his blacksmith master, the way the man would hit him for every mistake Elnok made. It reminded him of Tosh, how his brother seared him with fire out of madness.

If it hadn’t been for Orym, Elnok would’ve drowned in those memories.

If it wasn’t for Orym, Elnok would’ve jumped off that damned cliffside.

“You told me you loved my brother,” Elnok whispered.

“A foolish act.”

Elnok scoffed. “You see reason now, is it? Thenthatis foolishness, claiming to love someone when you would let them die without a fight.” He leaned closer. “Seems as if you never truly cared for him.”

He waited for the warrior’s veins to pulse, for his power to ignite, for his anger to consume him. Elnok had seen the deep love Kharis held for his brother, and even though he didn’t understand it, he needed a Dynami to get them through Lhaal Forest. He needed Kharis to find hope again.

“Perhaps I didn’t,” Kharis replied.

Elnok’s heart stopped as another crack of power rumbled through the room.

“If this is to get back at me for my heinous comments about how I felt about you two, then fine, I apologize,truly.But we can’t find this tree without you.”

“Kharis, we’re grateful you made time for us,” Sylzenya interjected, a small smile lining her lips as she approached thetable, “I can see now where I’ve gone awry. I’ll go ahead and deliver the compass to the High One when I have my meeting with him tomorrow and allow him to decide what we’ll do with it.”

“What?” Elnok questioned. “Sylzen?—”

“She’s right, Elnok,” Kharis said as he stood, his broad shoulders somehow looking smaller than when he had first come in. “The continent outside of Estea is nearing its end. If I were you, I’d finalize those treaty revisions and then see if the High One would allow you permanent residence here as an ambassador.” The warrior gripped his shoulder, a sad smile on his mouth. “You’re safer here with us.”

Before Elnok could argue, the warrior dismissed himself, thanking Sylzenya as the large wood doors shut behind him with a thud. Elnok steadied himself with his chair, wrestling against the truth he wanted to ignore.

Kharis had wanted to find Aretta’s Willow; he’d been fervent in making sure Elnok’s brother lived a long life. He’d made it seem as if the treaty revisions were unimportant in comparison to finding the tree.

And yet, Kharis no longer wanted his brother.

But why?

“Come on,” Sylzenya whispered. Grabbing his arm, she led him past the now bloodied Dynami warriors and into the sparkling hallway. “Lingering will do us no good.”

Elnok lowered his voice. “I refuse to take this compass to the High One.”

“As do I,” she replied quietly, “so we better sit down and figure out a plan for how we’re going to get through Lhaal Forest alive.”

Elnok’s panic eased. Heat rose in his cheeks.

“Not a bad idea,” he replied.

Sylzenya smirked. “I’m well aware.”

Despite Kharis’ change in perspective, Elnok wouldn’t let it change his goal. He needed the tree whether there was a safe route through Lhaal or not, and if there was anything he was becoming more sure of, it was his and Sylzenya’s ability to do the impossible.

They would get to Aretta’s Willow, and they’d do it with or without a Dynami. He’d fight all of Distrathrus’ monsters if it meant saving Orym’s life.

Chapter 19

A Salve for Wounds

Dinner was roasted greens mixed with pepper sauce and slices of freshly baked bread. Sylzenya ate the food mindlessly while Elnok bathed, her focus centered on the compass and everything they’d gone through to get it.

It seemed impossible. There were no monsters in the Temple;there couldn’t be. And yet there had been. The ichthys had asked why its poison hadn’t affected her; why it hadn’t controlled hermind. She didn’t know the answer, could barely make sense of its existence let alone how it could ask her questions. Monsters lived in Lhaal Forest. It was their prison, much like how Estea, in its own way, had become hers.

Elnok had claimed no more monsters lived in the healing pool, but what if more monsters existed in the temple? It could really mean only one thing.

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