Page 82 of Of Blood & Stone

She gulped, trying to find words, but her throat had decidedly become parched. She shrugged instead. He swept ahand through his wet black hair, remnants of water spraying her face. It felt nice,hefelt nice.

“She’s blessed us,” Sylzenya finally choked out. “The orodyte mines; that’s how we can get through Lhaal Forest. There’s a rumored entrance to the tunnels in the ancient Willow Grove.”

Elnok’s eyes widened, only to narrow once again. “We could’ve retraced our steps at the temple tomorrow and figured that out. You didn’t need to bleed to death in order for us to learn that.”

The cut felt like flames engulfing her. “Your friend doesn’t have much time before he dies. Why waste more when we can avoid it? We should go tonight.”

He opened his mouth, only to close it, his throat bobbing as his hands held her tighter against his chest. “We’ll take tonight to rest, and leave first thing in the morning.”

“I’ll be fine within the hour.”

“Gods, you really don’t know when to stop, do you?” He sighed. “Look, I need rest too. It’d be unwise to start a journey exhausted if we don’t have to.”

Sylzenya scratched her palm. He was right; and she was tired too.

“Suppose one more night in a bed would be nice,” she muttered.

“Come on,” he said, “your turn to bathe.”

After drinking water and regaining her ability to walk, Sylzenya took a quick warm bath. The soapy water stung her back, but she held in her yell.

The innkeeper, Helena, had given her a thin satin robe, detailed with intricate lace. She had said it was a gift in exchange for her teachings in the village. Sylzenya had gladly accepted it, the cool material refreshing on her heated skin. Wiping a towel over her stinging cut before putting on the robe, she sighed with relief, returning to the bedroom.

“I have a surprise for you,” Elnok said as she shut the door.

She spun around. Elnok was sitting on his bed, a small box with silver edges in his hands.

“A surprise?” Sylzenya asked, a heat blooming along her cheeks when Elnok’s eyes drifted to her robe.

It wasn’t just a thin piece of material, it was short, with a deep “v” allowing her cleavage a chance to breathe. She would be lying if she said a part of her didn’t want Elnok to see her like this, but another part of her chastised herself for being evocative. There would be nothing to come from this. He was leaving the moment he got the cure for his friend. Here and then gone.

But then his breathless smile made her heart flutter, and she was glad she wore the robe.

“Since you refuse to listen to reason and continue to hurt yourself, I’ve got just the thing to help ease at least some of the pain.”

He raised the box. Curious, she approached him, his thin black tunic accentuating his corded arms.

“It’s a salve,” he said, opening the box to reveal a clear substance with a consistency of honey, “If you’d like, I can put some along your scar?”

She should say no. Only Aretta’s healing waters could cure her cut, anything else typically just added an uncomfortable stickiness to her skin and ruined her clothes. But as his lips parted with a warm smile, she stepped forward.

“Interesting,” she said, “I’d almost say that’s kind of you.”

He shrugged. “Even I’m capable of generous acts every so often.”

She rolled her eyes as he positioned himself at the edge of his bed, legs spread apart; he motioned for her to stand in between them. Heart pounding against her chest, she decided this wasmore than likely a normal occurrence for outlanders; something he offered most people he traveled with.

So she turned around, her back facing his front.

Gently, he placed a strong calloused hand on her hip. Her breath caught, arms pimpling as he guided her closer to him.

“Is this alright?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“And if you could,” he paused, his fingers tightening on her hip, “move your robe a bit? That way I can reach all of it.”

Chest growing heavy, Sylzenya turned to look at him. “Right.”

---