Tersah settles her hands against the table. “I didn’t know how to make flowers that weren’t planted in the earth yet. Phillipa advised me to go back to Kyanite land and learn so I could help you.”
My attention shifts to the kyanite stone dangling from the Seer’s neck. She never showed it before. “You’re Kyanite.”
She smiles at me, her eyes carrying a comforting warmth, like the cadence of a gentle sunrise. “I am.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You weren’t ready to know until now.”
Maybe she’s right.
I was full of so much anger and bitterness still.
Tersah slides a leather satchel toward me. “I made you more flowers.”
Determined to not allow the darkness to consume me again, I grab the satchel and drag it closer.
The Seer takes a drink from a terracotta goblet and settles it against the table before speaking again. “I want you to talk to Hector about the flowers.”
“Why?”
“Because I believe all the Bloodstone people can use them to conjure their magic. It will lessen the toll it wreaks on their bodies from using something living.”
Nerves quiver in my throat as I clasp my hands together. “But Hector listens to you better than he listens to me.”
The wind shuffles through the open tent flap and blows strands of golden hair against the Seer’s cheeks as she speaks. “Not about this. You are his voice of reason.”
I am.
“He’s angry with me,” I say truthfully.
“He will forgive you,” the Seer says in a calm, wise tone.
How I wish I had an ounce of her calm right now. Or even better, her assurance.
It flows from her words as she speaks again. “You have to understand that Hector is a leader, and being one comes with significant responsibilities and pressure. He has been through a lot recently, battles and losses, and it has taken a toll on him. It’s not easy being chieftain.”
I nod, feeling the weight of her words and the truth in them. Things have happened since I left. Things I have not been privy to. Things that have probably been hard for Hector. Decisions that he had to make. Battles he led.
“But,” she continues, “you must also remember that you’re not just anyone. You’re his wife, his lover. You mean everything to him. Donot underestimate the power of your relationship. It may be the only thing keeping him sane right now.”
I’m keeping him sane?
My thoughts shift to last night. How he had allowed me to sleep next to him. He even held me during the night. Not once did he pull away.
“You must talk to him about the flowers, Sol,” the Seer presses. “It is important for the survival of the Bloodstone people.”
“I will.”
“Good.” She smiles and takes another sip of her tea. “Now, tell me how things went with your father. Did he answer your questions?”
“Yes,” I admit as I think back to that day—the one I haven’t had much time to think about. “He kidnapped me when I was a baby, but I don’t know who my mother or father are.”
“Did he give you anything?”
“Yes.” Nerves coil inside me as I fumble for the pendant I placed around my neck and bring it forward to show the Seer. “He said I was wearing this the night he took me.”
“May I?” she asks.
