Page 116 of The Crown’s Temptation

"Because the people that carry it will only bring it to Vaelor ships. Then it must be prepared, and my healer is one of the best in these matters and can prepare the treatments well.”

He clearly is not the best with taste, I wanted to say, though I knew it would sound ungrateful if said aloud.

And because we have just discussed what it does to you." He paused. "It will be worse now. And once the Arrolyn is placed, worse still."

"Why?"

"The energy it costs you to move through a day as something more than human is more than it was before." He looked at me steadily. "You will feel like yourself at night, but you will pay for it in the morning."

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.”