Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1)(15)

Jack was out of time. He had to do something.



“Shining brightly, coast to hill,

Her beauty waning never.

Elsira lives on by our will.

Elsira is forever.”



All chatter inside the house stopped as Jack’s voice rang out, singing the Elsiran National Anthem in his native tongue. He’d stepped away from the window and could no longer see inside but guessed his outburst would have the desired effect. He rushed into the second verse, modifying the original lyrics to suit his need, knowing the soldiers would not understand the words.



“They’re ordered to eat in two shifts.

You must not give them poison.

Or they’ll discover what you’ve done.

Find a way to destroy it.”



The last words were barely out before Ginko and Pymsyn rushed onto the porch, fists swinging. They cursed his traitorous soul for having the nerve to sing his foul anthem and pummeled him to the floor. Their anger was real, but the severity of the blows paled in comparison to what he’d suffered when he’d first been discovered. A few days of rest and relaxation had turned the men soft.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Jack wheezed out in Lagrimari as the two stepped back. Then a foot to his midsection stole his breath. A kick to the head stole his consciousness.




He woke to the murmur of Earthsong ebbing away his pain. Night had fallen, and the call of birds kept time with the pounding in his head. A cool hand slid across his forehead and he pressed into the touch.

“I was right. You are mad.” Her voice was as soft as her skin, and he moaned slightly at the way both refreshed him.

He rolled to his back and took a deep breath. It was too dark to see her face, especially with one of his eyes nearly swollen shut, but her presence, here and alive, soothed him.

“What happened to the greens?” he said. His lower lip was numb, making it hard to speak.

“I accidentally emptied a bottle of vinegar into them.” Her silhouette shrugged. “They had to make do with the potatoes.”

He exhaled, releasing tension from his entire aching body.

“Thank you,” she said. Her hands moved, her two tiny ones holding one of his in their grasp.

“The men?” he whispered.

She sighed. “They discovered my father’s gin. They’re three noses into the still.”

He struggled up to a sitting position. Even with her healing treatment, he still felt every one of the blows he’d received.

“You’re a mess,” she said, and began wiping at his face with a rag. “Your rib’s broken again.”

“Nothing too serious, then.” He was able to fill his lungs with enough air to keep breathing—that was enough. “It was a good effort . . . the poison.”

“Not good enough. Sometimes I wish Earthsong could be used to . . .” She shook her head.

Jack shuddered. “We would have been wiped out a long time ago if Earthsong could kill. But . . . I've never understood . . . If you can see into the body in order to heal, why can't you . . .”

“Kill?” She shrugged, staring down at her hands. “Earthsong is pure life. Trying to cause harm in that way is like trying to swim up a waterfall. The energy doesn’t flow in that direction.”

Jack remained quiet, peering at the mountains. “How much longer will the storm last, do you think?”

A shifting of clouds revealed the moonlight, illuminating her pensive expression. “Another twenty-four hours or so.”

The glow of her skin made him lose his train of thought. She peered at him, concern clouding her face.

“I need to get back home,” he said.

She nodded. “Let me wrap your ribs.” She produced a bandage from the pocket of her dress and leaned toward him. Her fingers slid underneath his shirt, and he shivered at her touch. He focused on her scent enveloping him and bit back a wince as pain speared him with every pass of her hands around his abdomen. “The only way to the other side is through it.” She repeated his words back to him with a wink.

When she’d finished, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the railing. “I wish I could go through the mountain.”

“You’re still in no shape to travel.”

His lids flew open as he focused on the words she didn’t say. “Is there a way through the mountain? Darvyn mentioned tunnels in the north—does this range have them as well?”

She busied herself folding and refolding the rag she’d used on his face, not meeting his eyes.

“Jasminda.” He reached for her, stilling her hands. The contact shot through him just as strong as the hope her hesitation had inspired. “Please. You know what’s at stake.”

Her eyes softened for a moment as she threaded her fingers through his. His pain faded to the background as he watched her mouth move, beginning to form words, then thinking better of it.

“Sleep with the knife tonight. Nothing can be done until tomorrow.”

“Please—”

A crash sounded within the house, and the door slammed open. Jack drew back. Jasminda stood suddenly. The loss of contact burned his palms. Her expression held no trace of guilt, but a swaying, inebriated Tensyn narrowed his eyes at the both of them.

“You!” He pointed a shaking finger at Jack and lurched forward.