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I turned the empty vial on the table.

"It really is disgusting."

"So you have said."

"Twice."

"Three times. At least.”

“Another Vaelor lie.” I stuck out my tongue at him and he barked a laugh.

I found the pouch he had given me and shook it. Coins moved inside.

"Well," I said. "This means I can beat you at gambling."

"I doubt that. You certainly didn't before."

"You have not seen me play lately. Perhaps I have improved."

"I have seen you lie. It is the same skill." He collected the cards from the shelf behind him and set them down between us. Then he stopped. "Although I suspect we will need to wager something other than kisses this time. Your husband would not be very happy."

Heat climbed my throat before I could do anything about it as I remembered the night we first met.

I did not want it there. It arrived anyway.

He did not look away and neither did I, and the lamp went on burning, and neither of us said anything at all.

Then he picked up the cards and began to shuffle.

"Coins," he said. "Since you insist on winning."

CHAPTER 26

A Different Stone

When we were done playing, we stared at each other, the only sound in the room the fire crackling in the background.

I did not need to say it aloud. I did not want to return. Not yet. The room was warm and I felt safe and that was the simple truth.

Moreover, I needed to see Colsar. With each passing hour my cough seemed to lessen. I did not want Colsar to see me ill and worry.

If he was there at all.

Eravic reached in his cloak and pulled out the parcel I had given him.

“A stone?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Are you ready?”

I stared down at it. “This does not look like one of my mother’s stones,” I said.

He nodded. “It was in the parcel. Perhaps it is a memory, but one that is not hers but that she wanted you to have all the same. The witches of the Witchward can see anything, they say.”

“That frightens me,” I admitted.

He smiled. “Well, I’ll be here to tell you how much you snore and drool while sleeping when you awaken.”