Page 26 of Sins of the Stone

“Do you not enjoy the taboo?” he questioned, glancing down to see her face shade. Much to his delight, it did. Her sea-blue eyes leered to the side.

“Well,” she began, taking a breath, silent for a moment. “Yes, I do. You’reright.” Her admission made his heart flutter. “But you don’t have to rub it in.” Finally, she grinned, lifting her head and nudging him with her palm. A warm feeling washed over him. Their eyes met, and her face went pink again.

“You are so adorable, my little human.” He brushed his knuckle over her cheek. Her face shaded darker, the hint of a smile peeking through her lips. After they shared this moment, he tousled her hair, giving her a slight chuckle. “What are you doing up so early, anyway? The sun has barely risen.” Her eyes fell bashfully.

“I was going to make breakfast, but then I started, you know… panicking a little,” she said, her hands weaving together at her front.

“Breakfast? It would be best if you were sleeping, silly girl. Your body needs rest after how much you enchanted me,” he said, placing his hands on each side of her cherubic face.

“I know,” she replied with a slight smile. “I will, only if you join me.” Ramuz’s heart swelled. He had never before felt such joy in his life.

“Of course, my treasure.”

Chapter 18

Ursulette

The time passed by in a flash. It felt like only a few moments between affectionate evenings, making meals for each other, and late-night bedroom romps. Though Ursulette expected to be excited, in reality, she had the opposite feeling. The sun was bright in the sky, indicating the day was in full swing. She was finishing cooking breakfast over the fire—some eggs Ramuz had gathered—while her stony companion observed.

The little crackles and pops of the charring logs below brought little comfort. She looked at the food like her thousand-yard stare would bring it to temperature. Ramuz’s eyes tried to catch on hers, but her gaze was lost in thought. The edges of the eggs were deep brown when he wandered over and slid the pan off the fire.

“I think they’re done, my treasure,” he said. Ursulette shook her head quickly, glancing at him as he slid the spatula from her rigid grasp.

“Thank you, Ramuz,” she replied with an uneasy smile. Ramuz returned a bow as he wandered over to the kitchen, dividing the food onto plates and setting it on the table. The chair squealed against the wood floor as Ursulette sat down, folding her hands in her lap. Ramuz popped a bite in his mouth, eyeing her from across the table as she moved the cooling food from one side of her plate to the other.

“Ursulette.” She snapped to attention. “Today is the day we go back, correct?” She took in a breath, then nodded.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m quite nervous.”

“I noticed.”

Her face flushed, setting her fork down as her eyes veered to the side. The food on Ramuz’s plate was rapidly vanishing, but Ursulette’s remained full.

“I know it’s going to…” She struggled to not choke on her words. “It’ll, um, be painful. Even though I wasn’t accepted, it was still my home, my people. I had a friend…” Her eyes fell as she pushed her plate away. “I-I hope he’s okay. Him and everyone else. Even the librarian, Maritza. And maybe even Omar and Kent. But I know that’s… unrealistic.” Ramuz’s shoulders slumped as he pushed his plate to meet hers. Then he stood, heading over to Ursulette’s frozen form.

“I will be there for you, you know,” he said, placing his clawed hand on her trembling shoulder. Her brow furrowed.

“What? No, you won’t. They’ll hurt you.”

“No, they will not.” Ursulette opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Ramuz continued. “But if it will ease your mind, then I will do what you ask, my treasure.” Her face burned from something other than her nerves for the first time that day. She placed her hand atop his.

“Yes, it would make me feel better. Not everyone is so open to being around creatures, you know.”

Ramuz smirked. “I am well aware,” he said, brushing her hair from her neck. “I will listen, though, and watch. Even if your village is crumbled, I am still quite skilled at sneaking amongst you. While we were there, I scouted many excellent hiding places.” She blushed again.

“You’ll watch…” she muttered, her blush deepening. His brow raised, tracing the conch of her ear. Ursulette’s skin broke into gooseflesh.

“Do you not enjoy it when I observe?”

“No!” she blurted. “I mean, yes. I do. Very much. Probably too much.” Her face heated more as she tried to stop the tremble in her hands. “I am a mess.” A nervous chuckle slipped from her lips.

“You can be as much of a mess as you want. I do not mind your blunders. In fact, I enjoy them.” Ramuz leaned down and kissed the top of her head, then wandered off to prepare for the big day ahead.

* **

The pair landed near the edge of the ruined village. They shared a quick hug before separating. Ursulette watched as Ramuz glanced around for a hiding spot with a smile, then began her short trek to the center of the village.

She twiddled her hands together, pinching the ties of her dress between her fingers in hopes of quelling her anxiety as she walked. She passed the broken gargoyle statue and nodded at it, praying they would not end up like that. Once the center of the village came into view, a comfortably familiar shadow was lurking behind every corner. When she was pulled from her racing thoughts, she picked up speed and approached the small group of people gathered near the gallows.

---