Page 87 of Crown of Briars
“Here,”she told me.“This is where I got the splinter. I was in so much pain that I wasn’t able to investigate where it came from. But the ringing started in this spot.”
I drew closer, holding up the opal to inspect the area. All I could see were piles of leaves and twigs. I swung the opal stone left and right, then froze as something glinted from underneath the brush.
Squatting, I held the opal stone closer to the ground. Once more, I swung it like a pendulum, pausing when that gleam caught the light once more. It was shiny like a gemstone, standing out among the foliage.
“What is that?” I hissed.
Azure groaned, her head shaking.“It’s making that sound again.”Her voice was strained.
“I’m sorry. Give me just a moment.” I sank to my knees, swiping away leaves and dirt to get a closer look at what was buried underneath. I thought about drawing Wraith Killer to dig into the dirt, but then I noticed a long, narrow spike protruding from the leaves. It was identical to what I had pulled out of Azure’s talon. My pulse quickened as I brushed aside more leaves, careful not to skewer my finger on the barb.
A luminous red glow shone from underneath the pile of leaves. I dug deeper into the earth, and the light intensified, casting crimson shadows on Azure and me. With the strange light, I was able to set the opal down and dig with both hands, gathering piles of dirt and scooting it to the side.
At long last, a small hole rested before me, and inside was a gleaming red jewel the size of my head. Sharpened black spikes speared from underneath it, and the jewel was strangely lumpy in shape, like it had multiple layers to it.
It was unlike anything I had ever seen. Bigger than any gemstone I’d found. The coloring was similar to that of a ruby, but a lighter, more vibrant red.
As I stared at it, my eyes wide and my heart thumping painfully in my chest, a searing ringing sound split the air.
I cried out, clapping my hands over my ears as it seemed to pierce through my very skull.
Beside me, Azure grumbled in frustration, as if irritated it had taken me this long to hear the sound. Perhaps, with my human blood, I wasn’t affected as easily as she was.
I hovered closer to the red jewel, squinting as I tried to make out the details. A gasp broke from my lips as I realized what it looked like.
It was a rose. The gem was carved into the exact shape of a rose, with layers of curved petals surrounding the bud.
Which meant the barbswereindeed thorns. Jeweled thorns.
“Stones, this is incredible,” I breathed, still covering my ears to block out the shrill sound. It intensified, growing louder and louder until my ears were throbbing. I had to shut my eyes against the agony pulsing through my brain.
Azure whined beside me, ducking her head, her back bowing. Her ears tucked back, and she shifted her hind legs restlessly.
She was in immense pain. I had to get her out of here.
Vowing to return to this exact place, I tucked the opal stone back in my pocket and climbed on her back. Together, we bounded out of the forest. Once we cleared the trees, she took off into the sky once again.
I was still breathless from my discovery when Azure arced around the castle, heading for my balcony.
I tugged on one of her scales to get her attention, then brought my hand to the amber stone. “Not my chambers. Can you take me to Ramia’s?” I still wasn’t sure who’d been pounding on my door earlier, but I didn’t want to find out. I felt safer staying with my maid.
“Of course,”was Azure’s response.
Her wings shifted, and I felt the strong muscles move on either side of me. She veered to the left, circling around the other side of the castle and landing on a smaller balcony than the one outside my rooms. I didn’t ask how she knew where Ramia’s balcony was, but it didn’t surprise me that she did.
Azure was always prepared, and she always knew more than I gave her credit for.
I cast a nervous glance toward the closed balcony doors. The curtains were drawn, blocking Ramia’s room from view. She was likely sleeping.
With careful movements, I slid off Azure’s back, then turned to face her. Her wide blue eyes blinked at me, full of sorrow and anguish.
I sighed, drawing closer and pressing my head to hers. She was warm and safe. She washometo me.
I touched my necklace and murmured, “I’m not angry with you, Az. But if you want to study the gems, all you have to do is ask.”
“I know. I am sorry. My curiosity got the better of me.”
I chuckled. “We have that in common.”
