Page 43 of Path of the Dark
14
Truth Telling
RYANA STARED ACROSS at Elias. “Excuse me?”
Elias’s mouth curved. “Instead of talents, we bet truths. For every game one of us loses, we must answer a question.” He paused there. “No lies permitted.”
Ryana wet her lips. To play such a game with Elias was unwise. She’d much rather gamble for coins she didn’t have than take the prince of Anthor into her confidence.
“So will you play?” he prompted, a challenge in his voice. “Or are your secrets too dangerous to share?”
Ryana raised her chin, heart thumping against her breast bone. “So sure you’ll win?”
“You’re not on a winning streak tonight so I’d say my chances are high.”
Arrogant bastard.
“Your brother used to boast of his skill with dice,” Ryana said, deliberately not rising to the bait. “I saw Saul play once … he was good.”
“Of course he was … dicing is in our blood. Every man of Anthor learns to play before he can walk.”
Ryana frowned in an attempt to mask her nervousness. Her pulse was now thundering in her ears. “It sounds like I won’t enjoy playing against you.”
“There’s one way to find out.” He scooped up a die. “Let’s see who goes first.”
Ryana didn’t want to play him, didn’t want to remain at this table. And yet, she was rooted to the spot as Elias cast the die. The reckless part of her, that part that had gotten her into trouble in the past, willed her to stay.
Elias cast a ‘three’ before catching her eye once more. “Your turn.”
As if by its own will, her hand then snaked out and picked up the die. She cast it.
Five.Ryana would start.
Elias motioned to the chalk board. “Shall I keep score?”
“One hundred,” Elias announced, leaning back in his seat. “That was an easy victory.”
“Blind luck,” Ryana replied through gritted teeth. Fortune wasn’t with her tonight. She’d thrown two sets of three ‘ones’ during this game, giving Elias a huge advantage. Frustration pulsed through her now; she hated to lose, but had done so repeatedly this evening. She should have remained at the House and opted for an early night.
“You’re right … but a victory all the same.” Elias picked up the tankard he’d hardly touched during the game and took a deep draft. “Alright … tell me … do you like being an enchanter?”
A beat of silence followed before Ryana replied. “Well enough.”
Elias raised an eyebrow. “Is that it?”
“I don’t know what you expected.” Ryana smiled, smugness rising within her. “You asked an ‘aye’ or ‘nay’ question.”
“You’re lying,” Elias answered, his brows knitting together, brushing aside her flippant answer. “I think you feel suffocated by this life.”
Ryana’s smile faded. “Are you answering on my behalf now?”
Elias met her eye. “I’m merely highlighting that the point of this game is that we tell the truth.”
Ryana considered getting to her feet and walking off. She didn’t like being cornered like this. And yet, she’d agreed to this game. She hated to renege on things.
She swallowed hard. “Alright then … I sometimes do get bored.” Drawing in a deep breath, she continued. “But the fault lies with me, not in my choice of vocation. I’ve always been restless … and it’s gotten me into trouble in the past.”
Elias inclined is head, inviting her to continue.
