Page 45 of Sins of the Stone

“Ursulette…” he gasped. Her face was blank as she raised the bulky stick over her head with a satisfied expression.

“Heyworm, if you come near me or my gargoyle ever again, I’ll havehimdecide what to do with you. And I promise it won’t be pleasant.” Just then, a hollow thump reverberated through the air as she repeatedly brought it down on him.

Giles winced every time the stick struck his broken bone, and Ramuz was holding back a chuckle. Once more, they exchanged glances, and Ursulette turned around with a smile, waving at the two of them. Her forehead was slick with sweat, and Ramuz placed his hand over his mouth, hoping to stop himself from chuckling.

She continued her assault until she was panting and exhausted. Once she was done, the duo looked over her shoulder at Omar, who was curled and shuddering on the ground. His face was bloody, but no one approached him. Ursulette wandered back over to Ramuz and Giles, who were still slightly shocked. She pointed the bloody stick at an onlooker, making him stand at attention.

“You!” she snapped, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. “Put him in the jail.” The man’s eyes widened, glancing at Ramuz. “Now!”

The man nodded quickly and scurried over to Omar, hooking his hands under his arms and dragging him away. Once he was out of sight, she returned to where Ramuz and Giles stood with the most satisfied expression.

“You have no idea how long I’ve been dreaming of doing that,” she beamed.

“It’s been long overdue,” Giles chuckled. She sucked in a breath as her chest rose and fell. Ramuz didn’t realize how much of a relief it was to see her do such a simple action. Breathing was not something he ever wanted to take for granted again.

“I don’t know about you, but I would really like to go home,” she said. “Nearly dying is… extremely exhausting.” She sucked in a breath again, exhaling. “Invigorating, life-changing, but exhausting.” Ramuz nodded. His feet ached from the flames, but they were just superficial wounds. Ursulette was a moment away from the afterlife. He would be okay.

She looked at Giles and opened her arms to embrace him. “I’ll be back,” she said. “For real this time.” They separated, and Giles nodded, setting his hand on her shoulder.

“I know,” he said. “We will be here.Iwill be here.” She gave him a soft smile, then looked at Ramuz.

“Let’s go home,” she said.

“As you wish.”

Epilogue

Ramuz

Ursulette’s pattering feet met Ramuz near the kitchen, and she gave him a nudge. The mischievous smile on her face made his heart skip as she placed her hands on his shoulder.

“Hurry up! We’re going to be late,” she said. Ramuz finished washing his hands and turned to her, scooping her up in his arms. She let out a small squeal as she buried her face in his neck.

“What’s the rush? Surely you have a few minutes for me to enjoy you…” he said. A blush crossed her cheeks as she pulled away, giving him a small kiss before he placed her back on the ground.

“Enjoy me how?” she said, trailing her finger down his chest. Her lip was between her teeth, eyeing him like she knew exactly what she was doing.

Mischievous little human,he thought.

“However you would like,” he grinned. Her blush deepened as her eyes veered away. Ramuz chuckled and dragged his knuckle along her cheek, making her shiver. Her face was a lovely shade of red.

“That color looks good on you, you know.”

“You think so? Maybe I have a few minutes for you to make it stay…” she said with a smile, taking his bulky hands in hers and pulling him toward the bedroom. They made it halfway down the hall before a prompt knock spun their heads around. Ursulette’s shoulders drooped dramatically as she released him, strolling to the door.

“I wish for once he would be late,” she muttered. Ramuz chuckled andwatched as she pried open the door, perking back up just before revealing herself. The sun peeked through the door, illuminating her pink face. Ramuz held back a smile as she gave Giles a welcoming expression.

“Hello, Ursulette. Ready to go?” he asked. She smiled, her face still pink.

“In a moment,” she said. “Come in, come in.” He stepped over the threshold, and the door shut behind him. Once he was inside and his eyes adjusted, he gave her a concerned look.

“Are you okay?” he asked. “Your face is flushed.”

Her cheeks grew more rosy. “Y-yeah,” she stuttered, twiddling her fingers in front of her chest. “You know me, always blushing. For no reason.” Giles raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. Ramuz was sure he could figure it out.

“No reason,” Ramuz muttered with a smile.

“Be quiet!” She gave him another nudge, then covered her face with her hands, muttering jokingly about how mean he was. Giles looked up at Ramuz.

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