Page 61 of The Stone Secret
The backs of my eyes heat, and I nod like a fool again.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to say to you since you got here.” She presses her lips together. “Something I should have reached out and said a long time ago, but…I didn’t think it would matter back then. I see now that it might need to be said.”
I’m frozen. Waiting for the words that I deserve. The harsh words that I’ve earned from her but she never delivered. Not once. Even though everyone else was quick to tear into me, Selas never said a word. But now…She’s ready now.
She sets the paper bag down on the table and puts a hand on my shoulder, her white eyes somehow soft with emotion. “I forgive you, Curi. It was an accident. A terrible, awful accident, but you were just a youngling. I should have said it sooner. I was just…” She sighs. “I was healing. But it’s obvious you have some healing to do too. I hope this helps.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze, picks up her bag, and leaves.
Leaves me pulse racing, stunned, and grateful. So fucking grateful. The dam inside my chest holding back the twisted dark guilt cracks, and I tuck my chin in and breathe raggedly.
I forgive you.
The words echo in my head, and the awful leaden weight that’s lived inside me for years lessens just a fraction.
Around me, the world continues as normal. Goyles laughing and bantering, unaware of the momentous thing that’s just happened to me.
Selas forgives me. Now I need to work on forgiving myself.
CHAPTER25
CAM
Everyone was gathered for supper by the time I made it back to the dorm. Touron and Curi were working the stove together in some strange tandem dance, and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of spices.
“You eating with us?” Shar asked, plate in hand.
“I’m not missing whatever’s making that yummy smell.” I took my usual seat, and Shar popped a plate in front of me. “How’s Derek?”
“Tired, I think. I showed him ’round the dorm, but when I tried to take him outside, he balked.”
“Do you think he’s afraid of the outside?” Palia asked.
“I don’t think it’s fear,” Shar said. “Just…wariness. Severe wariness.”
It made sense that he’d be wary. The outside was relatively unexplored and new to him. “The only time I’ve seen him outside was when he materialized to protect me.”
“I’ll work on it with him,” Shar said. “You focus on your training with the elites.”
“How was training?” Ginia asked.
“Exhausting. But I managed to reach the ladder.” She stared at me blankly, so I explained the task Orix had set for me. “I lost count of how many tries it took me, but I did it. Now I need to work on evading him till I get to the top.”
Curi spooned a creamy soup loaded with veggies and hunks of meat onto my plate. “Try this. It’s my special recipe.”
His recipe? He cooked? I couldn’t hide my surprise.
He rolled his eyes. “We’re trained to be able to take care of ourselves.”
“But this is next level,” Ginia said. “If you fail the cadet exams, you should definitely try out for a position as a chef for the Stone Council.”
Touron set a tray of fresh bread rolls on the table.
Palia clasped her hands together in delight. “What a treat.”
I wasn’t about to tell them that I was pretty sure the elites ate like this every night. For me, being here with my friends was the treat.
We ate in silence for a while, and damn, the food was good. Too good not to have seconds.
Curi passed me more bread, and Touron topped up my bowl. They did it almost absently, as if it was reflex and not thought-out.
