The Crow King's Wife(141)

“That she did.” Zoelyn agreed sourly. “How dare you place me in Karalea’s role? Why would you force this story on me?” she demanded and had to resist the urge to hit him again when his smile widened.

“There are wards on your keep and you never go outside. I can’t dream walk to you, and I needed to speak with you. I don’t see that I had many other choices beyond the path I chose, but I do feel inclined to point out that had you simply taken Finn’s hand in Rivana we wouldn’t be having this discussion right now.” Seth returned lightly.

Zoelyn’s glare faded a fraction and she shuffled her foot on the rock strewn ground as she considered his words. He had a valid point as much as she hated to admit it. If he had wanted to speak with her she had given him very few options, but then that had been the whole point of coming to Delvay, and Seth had foiled it easily. “I don’t see what there is to speak about.” She muttered after a long moment.

“Why you are avoiding me for one.” Seth said calmly as he leaned back against a tree. His gold eyes met hers and held her gaze with such intensity that she couldn’t look away. “I know you don’t truly want to avoid me. Your dream told me that much.” He added softly and she felt a faint blush creep onto her cheeks at the memory.

“I can’t control my dreams any more than I can control my heart, but I can force myself to use logic despite them. You used me Seth. You entranced me in an attempt to escape the Darklands.” Zoelyn tried to keep her voice neutral, but her misery bled through despite her best effort. “I trusted you.” She added in a hoarse voice.

“And I have been guarding you since the moment you left the Darklands. I appeared in Rivana when Hemlock came for you. What more do I need to do to earn forgiveness Zoey?” Seth returned with a hint of desperation though it was obvious that he was trying to keep his voice calm.

“How do I know that you showed up to save me and not simply for the chance to kill Hemlock? I know how much you hate him, and how much you would give to have vengeance on him. Isn’t that the reason you used me in the first place?” Zoelyn shot back and shook her head at him. “I can’t trust anything you do now.”

“Then give me a test to prove myself.” Seth demanded as he took a step closer to her. “Name something I can do to win your trust back. I won’t let this go Zoey. I will stalk you unmercifully until you realize I am sincere.” He looked ready to say more but paused and glanced toward the path with narrowed eyes. “Damn it.” He snarled and took a hesitant step back from her. His hand fumbled in his cloak and she thought he was drawing his dagger but his produced a leather bag instead. Still staring down the path he pushed the bag toward her quickly. “Take these. You will need them and I won’t have time to explain why.” He hissed as Grim’s form appeared on the path.

“Mendotha drevna Sethian Avanti.” Grim growled the words as his hand cut through the night air in a violent slashing motion toward the demon. With a snarl of frustration Seth vanished from the forest leaving Zoelyn gaping in disbelief at where he had been standing.

“What did you do?” Zoelyn demanded as she whirled on Grim.

“I could ask you the same.” Grim snapped as he stalked closer to her. “I’ve lost three days to sleep and when I do wake up it’s with the taste of your fear as thick as bile in my mouth.”

Zoelyn blanched and took a hasty step back as she shook her head. “What did you do to Seth?” She clarified weakly.

“I banished him back to where he belongs.” Grim explained in a voice that was far too calm for the expression lighting his face. “I thought perhaps I would give you the truth that he seems inclined to keep hidden before you partake of his gift.” He added as he motioned toward the leather bag in his hand. “Or do you already know what that is and you simply don’t care?”

“They are mage stones.” Zoelyn said without hesitation and tugged the bag open so Grim could look inside. “For some reason the ones Seth makes are more powerful than the ones Neph can give me. I suppose because he is older than Neph.”

A look of relief flickered in Grim’s eyes and he nodded slowly. “So you don’t know then.” He observed in a calmer voice and most of the anger seemed to drain from his face. “It isn’t the fact that he is more powerful than Neph, Zoey. Those aren’t true mage stones. Those stones contain life force. Someone died for every stone in that bag. Given that the entire world is at war right now I’m sure it’s fairly easy for Seth to gather those stones, but what happens in times of peace?”