For a moment, I am lost to memories of her in my bathroom, legs parted, eyes closed, but mind open. We turned pain into such sweet ecstasy, and it makes my blood race with an unsuspecting surge of lust. It’s the wrong time, but the insatiable nights we spend wrapped up together have done nothing to quench the thirst I have for her body.
Drawing myself up to my full height to erase the images while I speak with gods-damned Mother Liana, I open my mouth to respond but find all I can manage is a firm nod.
Her white eyebrow curves up, almost concerned.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes.”
She gives me a confused look, and then reaches into herpocket and pulls out a few shards of obsidian about the size of her palm. They’ve been carefully flint-knapped into thin rectangular sheets, sharp enough to cut leather. Handling them requires extreme care. Expert stone cutting aside, my eyes catch on their paintings.
I recognize the vibrant blue and green pigments from several precious stones: lime azurite, melachite, lapis lazuli… And something that smells of a beast. Bone, I realize, as my eyes study the contours.
There are figures painted on each of the cards. Enduares, but the light paintings of brown human bodies now accompany our azure forms.
“Cards, of a sort,” she says. “We used to use these to maintain our connection to the stars and stones—to help us read the Fuegorra.”
I nod as she hands one to me. The sharp edge passes along my skin, not quite cutting but almost uncomfortable.
“I don’t think I ever saw these used.”
She shrugs. “It was more popular with the women in Enduvida.”
I purse my lips. “You mentioned that you had found dozens of traditions lost to time while you were looking for answers in the royal library. Is this one of them?”
She nods, but I see the question in her eyes.
“Do you wish to teach these things to Estela?” I ask. The wrinkles in her face deepen. “You are her mentor; it is your choice what she learns and when.”
Her mouth twists down as if she were tasting something bitter.
“Obviously. I merely want to ensure that she is well enough to handle physical training and learning magic. I know that woman. She’d lie to me if the task looked interesting enough.”
Nodding along with her assessment, I cross my arms and gaze back at the impressive suits.
“Anything that you can teach her might be to our advantage when it comes time to face the giants,” I say simply.
I’ve seen the bloodlust in Estela’s eyes. The fear.
She needs every inch of power that she can—whether it be learned or gifted.
Liana is pleased by the answer. Then she takes back the stone card, stacks it atop the others, and carefully wraps them in a stretch of leather.
“Tell her to seek me out in the morning. And make sure she isn’t too tired to work hard.”
I grin and push away from the workstation.
Liana picks up her small bundle and tells me goodbye. I wave back to her and head toward the palace. I need to find my mate and make her stop frowning.
After, I’d like to work on translating Rholker’s book.
Chapter 29
Rutile Quartz
ESTELA
For the last few days, I’ve spent my time harvesting seeds from flowers, cradling Sama in my arms, and tending to the few women whose infections still hold strong.
