Page 17 of Sins of the Stone

“I am going to sleep on the couch.” He pointed his thorny thumb at the doorway, making her frown. She needed this—if not emotionally, at least to improve the tenderness in her eyes.

“Do you have to?” She could see the gears turning in his head and that little hint of a smile return. He was so bad at hiding his emotions, but that was one of the many reasons why she liked him.

“I suppose I do not,” he affirmed, laying back down. Ursulette felt her face flush again. His warmth was so close, even though they weren’t touching yet. Taking a shuttered breath, she prepared herself to say something unnatural—taboo.It would earn her a trip to the gallows, yet she couldn’t bring herself to care. Not when it felt so right.

“Will youhold me?”

“Of course.” He didn’t even hesitate. He shimmied himself beneath the blanket, his bare skin pressing against her. Even though his flesh was leathery, never before had she felt so warm. Perhaps it was the most comfortable she had felt in her whole life.

Something about this simple action felt right. For the first time, she felt complete. It was a feeling she wanted to savor. She soon shut her eyes, wrapped in his cozy embrace, as his heat lulled her to sleep. As she faded off, there was a content smile on her face.

Chapter 14

Ursulette

The previous evening was still swirling in Ursulette’s head late into the morning. They had woken up entwined together and shared a simple smile before crawling out of bed. There was no discomfort between them, but perhaps she was not awake enough to ponder the consequences. Or maybe it was so lovely that she did not care.

“Why did they make fun of you?” he questioned, a puzzled look etched in the creases of his face. It appeared his curiosity had got the better of him again. Ursulette frowned, a pink hue traveling to her cheeks. She wove her fingers together, holding them around her stomach as her eyes fixed on the floor.

“You saw that, too, huh?” she said, recalling the foul memory. “They always do that. It doesn’t mean anything.”

If you were to ask them, they would say she was lonely, strange, and, to top it all off, fat. It wasn’t a pleasant word or feeling, but it was what it was. She felt no shame—only what was pressed upon her by people who never bothered to get to know her. Ramuz took a slight step towards her, the hands of unease gripping her.

“It means something to you, though,” he said. “I don’t understand. You are an intriguing person, a kind person. I have seen you do things that others do not. Why would they torment you like that?”

Ursulette’s face was in full bloom now, unsure how to convey such a concept to a being that potentially couldn’t grasp it, let alone that he hadalso seen her kind acts. How would he understand being overweight? Did creatures have different body types or even ridicule?

“Well, it’s because Omar was interested in me—” she winced, “—romantically, but I rejected him because I saw the person he truly was.” She paused, taking a breath to steady her mind. “Now he has to pretend it didn’t happen by being terrible to me. Well, not anymore, I guess.” Ramuz’s expression didn’t change. In fact, it seemed he grew more confused. Ursulette tapped her fingers together nervously.

“They always said mean things to me,” she said. “Outcast, loner, chubby—”

“Chubby? What does that mean?” he pried. Her arms dropped.

“Chubby, fat, husky, large, soft—”

“Soft? But your whole species is soft,” he said. “How can they call you something that you all are?” Ursulette nibbled her lip, a slight, satisfied grin creeping across her face. Yes, he was right. The idea that he had no concept of body type or even what was attractive was quite charming to Ursulette.

“Yes, but…” she trailed off, trying to think of a good allegory. “You know how some twigs are small, and some are large? It’s frowned upon to be large in my species.” Ramuz let a small puff of air out of his nose.

“That is quite funny. The small twigs break more easily. It is the large ones that prove more enduring.” Ursulette’s shoulders dropped, making Ramuz grin. “But I know what you mean. They hurt you because you are different. Just like how humans and creatures neglect me because I am different.” Yes, that was strikingly familiar.

“But they do not know me, as they do not know you,” he continued. “They do not see how you act, your gentle smile, or your shining eyes. They do not hear your contagious laughter over your tears.” Her face shaded pink, flattered by his—this creature’s—words. “You have taught me much about your species. I value that talent. Though I wonder…” He was now close enough to touch her, making her heart beat rhythmically against her ribcage.

“Is the rest of your species as bright as you? Or are they cruel and shallow, like the ones who hurt you?” he asked.

“No,” she retorted. “Everyone is different. There are enough good people to outweigh the bad, but the bad always shines through. You only hearabout the bad because bad actions are more memorable than good. No one ever talks about how someone gives food to the hungry, but everyone always remembers a murder.” She took a breath, hoping the spiel was not meaningless. Ramuz was intelligent, though. He would understand. “Does that make sense?”

He nodded. “Yes,” he said. “Like how I am the good in the bad, correct?” It was Ursulette’s turn to smile.

“Right, you are like a diamond. The others are just coal,” she said. Ramuz’s eyes shined with an emotion Ursulette couldn’t quite place.

“Diamond, like a treasure?” he asked, his gaze drifting into thought. Shaking his head quickly, his eyes fell upon her. Ursulette blushed and nodded, confirming his comparison.

“It really is fascinating how many colors your face expresses,” he said in a low voice, using his calloused knuckle to caress her cheek, her skin burning like fire at his touch. “I wonder how many other shades I can make it turn.” Ursulette felt sweat bead on her forehead as she pulled away with a nervous laugh.

Something about his tone made her insides stir in a way she wasn’t entirely comfortable with. If he knew the consequences, maybe he wouldn’t be so forward. Did he know about the forbidden nature of relationships between humans and monsters?

“H-hopefully not very many,” she stammered, her words drying her mouth. “If you make it blue or purple, I’d be choking.” Her cadence was accented with a nervous giggle. She could feel her heart racing, but for what reason, she was unsure. He frowned slightly.

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