30. Aretta’s Willow
Chapter 30
Aretta’s Willow
G old light swirled above Sylzenya’s head, power circling and dancing in the darkness. A fluttering echoed in her ear, followed by a flash of gray and white feathers.
There is more pain than that which carves into your back, Sylzenya Phatris.
Haziness ruled her mind as she tried to sit up. The bird’s wings fluttered faster in her ears, the gold light pulsing and crackling, the darkness growing heavier with each passing moment.
You will regret choosing this path. I have seen it.
Heart beating fast, Sylzenya fought for more breaths, unable to locate the bird despite its echoing voice.
There are many things that I cannot say, even if I wish to. The creature continued, its deep blue eyes piercing through the darkness, But I will say this—be wary of who you trust.
Sylzneya tried to speak, yell, even scream. Nothing but pain sliced through her throat.
For life there is a price, and only in pain is it made whole, Sylzenya Phatris, the bird shrieked into her ears. Your choice has been made, and so your consequence is set in blood and stone.
Sylzenya bolted upright. Warm light bathed everything around her. Willow branches swayed in the warm breeze, red and yellow flowers dotted the grass hugging her skin, and a familiar woman kneeled next to her, the ash-colored hair spilling onto her exposed knees.
A choke caught in Sylzenya’s throat.
Mother .
Yearning and confusion rolled through her stomach. Memories of love and abandonment. Love and expectation. Hot and cold. Even though Sylzenya knew her mother and father had been under the influence by Distrathrus’ blood all those years ago, the sting of abandonment still hadn’t left.
She wasn’t sure if it ever would.
“Sylzenya Phatris, welcome to my willow. While to you I bear the image of your mother, my true identity is that of Aretta—the goddess of life—and so, I appear as the one who gave life to you.”
Sylzenya blinked hard, the image of her mother and the goddess’ words disorienting. In all her years of study, she’d never heard of Aretta appearing as such, but then again, the goddess’ image was never made known. She’d been depicted as a woman of all body types, all hair lengths, all skin tones. Surprised, she realized how accurate these depictions had been.
“Aretta?” Sylzenya asked, “The legends say you… died.”
“The same is said about my brother, Distrathrus, and he’s very much alive. And yet, in many ways, we’re both dead,” the goddess replied, a sad smile on her lips. “I understand my brother’s blood flows through you, blocking your power and allowing him access into your mind. He has no such access here, in my tree.”
Sylzenya relaxed her shoulders, a well of buried excitement rushing to the surface.
She was in the presence of Aretta . The heartbeat she’d always found comfort in.
“My apologies,” Sylzenya quickly said, getting on her knees, placing both hands over her heart and bowing. “Praise be to you, oh goddess of life. May my life reflect your glory and bring you honor above all things.”
“Please, Sylzenya, you may rise,” Aretta gently chided, a soft hand alighting on her shoulder. “Formalities don’t befit the situation, not with the tasks laid before us.”
Smiling, Sylzenya lifted her head. “It brings me joy to know you were never dead, my goddess. Your life has given me life; your heartbeat has given me my own. I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d behold you.”
Aretta’s smile softened. “I’ve been keeping a close eye on you, Sylzenya, ever since your first day at the temple.”
“You have?” Sylzenya brightened.
“I have. More so than you know, but I’ll explain more of this soon. First, I must wake Kharis and offer you all some sustenance. You’ve gone through much to get here and we haven’t much time.”
Sylzenya turned to find Kharis fast asleep, leaning against one of the willows. Relief overcame her, then realization hit. She thought they’d miss the tree, the willow vanishing right before they dashed for it, but then it reappeared just in time. Otherwise, the arachni poison would’ve…
“Where’s Elnok?”
Aretta smiled, pointing towards a small clearing surrounded by white-flowered bushes. Sylzenya didn’t hesitate as she ran. Everything in her body burned from soreness, cuts, and bruises, but she didn’t care. She needed to see Elnok with her own eyes to know he hadn’t died.
Jumping through one of the bushes, her heart nearly collapsed as Elnok’s pale green gaze found hers. He was sitting, his olive skin no longer crawling with black webbed veins. With his typical dark disheveled hair, he gave her a half-smile that had begun to feel like home.
“I’ve got to admit, I’ve always thought your bloodied white robe needed a good wash, but now I don’t think you’ll be able to salvage a single piece of it,” Elnok chided, his voice gravelly as if he’d only just woken up. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying the lack of material.”
Sylzenya shook her head as she kneeled next to him. “Even after almost meeting your death, you’re somehow more shameless than ever.”
“I like to think people enjoy it.”
“Most people think you’re detestable.”
“But what do you think?” He smirked.
Sylzenya smiled, running a hand along his stubbled jaw. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”
His throat bobbed, his calloused hand finding hers. Mouth parting, his eyes dipped to her lips; heat built in her stomach as she leaned in?—
“Ah, well, I have you to thank for that.” Elnok’s smile disappeared as he pulled away, dropping her hand. “I think we better listen to what your goddess has to say so I can get what I need and leave as soon as I can.”
Sylzenya gulped, a sudden, unwelcomed warmth crowding her cheeks.
“Oh.” She slipped out the word like an afterthought.
A silence hung between them, as if they were back in the inn, Elnok’s rope stretched across the room, the sheet draped over it—separating them.
“Orym,” she whispered, the realization finally dawning on her. “You’ll need to go straight to Vutror once you’ve gotten the medicine.”
“Yes.” His eyes looked anywhere but at her.
“What…” she paused, steadying herself, “What will you do once he’s been healed?”
“Probably get a boat, sail away from this continent.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Keep my crew safe from whatever’s about to happen.”
Leave.
He was going to leave. Far, far away from here. From her. She shouldn’t be upset; it was a smart move. Calculated. If Distrathrus couldn’t be stopped, then getting away as quick as possible would be the safest route. And yet, hearing it out loud…
It felt like a cold gust of wind on chilled skin; the reopening of a deep wound; an abandonment at the steps of a temple.
“So that’s it then?” Sylzenya asked, “You get your medicine and leave the rest of us to deal with this mess?”
Elnok straightened, brow raised. “It’s certainly not my mess.”
“Well it isn’t mine either.”
He scoffed. “None of this would’ve happened without you, your kingdom, or your blessed goddess—and, by the way, why the fuck does she look like everyone’s mother? It’s… it’s creepy. Unnatural.”
Sylzenya bristled, leaning back. “She’s the goddess of life. And— no, that doesn’t matter right now. You promised me you’d be here until the end. Now you’re going to walk away?”
“This is the end for me. That was the plan, Sylzenya. From the beginning, this was always my plan.”
“ Great. So, what? Everything else you’ve said to me was just one of your thieving acts? All that talk of believing in me, caring about me— it was all just a means to one of your fucking ends?”
The words slipped out before she could stop herself. Hot tears formed at the corners of her eyes. The anger was misplaced, she knew this, knew he’d meant his words about how he felt for her; knew he needed to save his friend; knew his land had been dying because of her and her kingdom. She wanted him to save his friend. Wanted him and his crew to be safe. But she hadn’t been prepared to say goodbye. Godsdamnit, she was falling in love with this man, and he was going to leave once he got what he wanted.
And what he wanted wasn’t her.
“Sylzenya, you know that’s not true.”
“You’re right. This was the plan and I got distracted.” She got up, wiping the tears before they fell. “Let’s just get your medicine. Then I don’t have to deal with a man vomiting all over the place while carrying him on my back.”
His mouth thinned. “Tell me how you really feel.”
“Just because you don’t have any god-gifted power doesn’t mean your actions don’t affect anyone besides yourself, Prince Elnok Rogdul of Vutror.”
His mouth gaped.
Aretta and Kharis approached.
“I’m afraid your lively discussion will need to be finished,” Aretta said, “please take some time to time to clean yourselves up as I have fresh linens available. And then I need to share the truth with you all, and why I brought each of you here.”