The Stone Eater (The Magic Eaters Trilogy Book 3)

by Carol Beth Anderson

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll go to the dining room.” Nora turned and strode away.

  Krey fueled up on feathers from his pack, then flew to the rooftop garden Zeisha worked in most often. She wasn’t there. He checked the other rooftop gardens, but they were all empty. He flew to the dining room and entered along with a few militia members.

  “She wasn’t there?” Nora asked.

  Krey shook his head, frowning. Maybe Zeisha was off doing Anya things. Communing with the morning sun or something.

  “Are you looking for Zeisha?” a female militia member asked.

  “Yeah, do you know where she is?”

  “I think she’s at Kebi’s place.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “It’s the only house on the residential street with a teal door and shutters. I was there with her once.”

  “Thanks.” Krey turned to Nora. “I’ll see if I can find her. Don’t start without me.”

  He took to the air, trying to let the chilly breeze cleanse him of his nerves. It had been three months since the breakup, and while much of the initial awkwardness between him and Zeisha had passed, he was still never quite sure how to act around her.

  Seconds after he rose into the sky outside, a more immediate concern distracted him. The promised storm arrived, and by the time he reached the residential street, thick sheets of cold rain had soaked him to the skin. He spotted teal shutters and landed in front of the house.

  Wind and rain covered the sound of his approach. The shutters were closed, but the large front porch led to a wide-open door. Krey stepped onto the porch and wrung out the hem of his shirt, as if that would prevent him from getting the floor wet. In the front room, Zeisha sat on a sofa with Kebi. They were clasping hands as Kebi talked softly. Zeisha gazed at her friend, a smile on her full lips. The type of adoring smile that, if Krey hadn’t known better, would’ve made him suspect—

  Kebi brought her mouth down to Zeisha’s and kissed her. Not a quick, friendly peck, but a real, unquestionably more-than-friends kiss. Zeisha’s fingers moved into Kebi’s hair, tangling in the trog’s tight, short curls.

  Kebi caressed Zeisha’s cheek, pulling away just long enough to breathe, “You’re so beautiful,” before resuming the kiss with even more passion. They didn’t seem inclined to stop anytime soon.

  Krey had been watching, frozen and open-mouthed, for at least a full minute before it occurred to him he was being incredibly rude. He coughed, but a clap of thunder muffled the sound. He knocked on the open door and called out, “Um . . . hi.”

  Zeisha and Kebi broke the kiss and turned, their eyes widening in unison. They let go of each other and stood to face Krey.

  Despite the loud storm, an awkward hush fell over the room.

  “Krey,” Zeisha finally said. “It’s good to see you.” Even in the dim light, her deep flush was obvious.

  “Can I . . . come in?”

  Kebi smiled warmly. “Please do.” She gestured to a chair near the couch. “Would you like to sit?”

  He remained standing. “I wish I could stay”—okay, that was a lie—“but Nora and I were hoping to meet with the former militia members.” He forced himself to gaze unflinchingly at Zeisha. “I know you don’t consider yourself part of the militia, but we hoped you could come, just so you know what’s going on.”

  “If there’s a fight coming up, Kebi might want to be there. She was incredible in the battle for Deroga.” Zeisha smiled at Kebi, her expression nothing short of adoring. The trog woman returned the look.

  Krey blinked. By the sky, are they in love? He recovered quickly. “Kebi’s welcome to come.”

  “I have an umbrella,” Kebi said, hurrying out of the room.

  Zeisha stepped closer. “Krey . . .” She didn’t seem to know how to finish the thought.

  “It’s okay.” Funny enough, it was. Sort of. A certain amount of disappointment squeezed his heart, but the longer he stood here, the less surprised he was at what he’d seen. Which was really odd. “We’ll talk later.”

  Zeisha gave him a hopeful smile.

  Kebi entered with the umbrella. “I only have one. We’ll have to huddle together.”

  Krey almost laughed.

  Nora stood at the front of the dining room, waiting for everyone to arrive. All the shutters were closed against the rain. Lanterns gave the space a warm, golden glow.

  This meeting felt like a test. Sure, she’d spoken to the militia before . . . but now she wasn’t asking them to fight for Deroga. She was asking them to fight for Cellerin and, in a very real way, for her. Most of the militia members were older than her, though not by much. What gave her the right to ask them to follow her?

  The family I was born into.

  Had she ever really considered how messed up that was?

  But that was how this nation worked. Maybe it would change in time, but for now, who else was supposed to lead? It would be hard enough to build a coalition around her, the legal heir. She certainly couldn’t ask some random person to take the crown. They were trying to avoid civil war, not instigate one.

  Besides, I want to lead.

  The thought caught her off guard. Just a couple of months ago, on the day of the battle for Deroga, the possibility of being queen had made her feel sick. When had she stopped dreading the idea and started embracing it?

  She supposed it had been gradual. The further her father slipped into madness, the more she wanted to protect the people of Cellerin. Last night’s dinner had opened her eyes to more of the ways the king was harming his country. She had to turn things around. It was worth any sacrifice.

  Krey walked in with Zeisha and Kebi. He threw his head back, laughing at something Kebi said.

  A lump invaded Nora’s throat. Any sacrifice had already included her relationship with Ovrun. Eventually, she’d also have to let go of her friendship with Krey, which had deepened over time, despite his distrust of the monarchy and her anger over his brain lysting. They’d fought through all that, coming away with something truly special.

  Was it worth it to lose such a friendship?

  Yes. Without question.

  But by the orange sky above, it would hurt when all this was over, and it was time to say goodbye to people she’d grown to love.

  She realized everyone was looking at her. Time to act like a princess.

  After thanking them for coming, she got right to the point. “You all know my father is no longer capable of leading effectively. I’m inviting every one of you to help me take back our country.”

  Their eyes were glued on her. Most of them had gotten past their awe of her months ago. But they respected her. It was clear in the way they’d quieted before she even asked them to. The way they now listened to her with readiness, not wariness.

  Fifteen minutes later, every militia member but Zeisha had agreed, enthusiastically, to relocate to the farms outside Cellerin so they could support Nora in her effort to take the crown.

  Krey stood and walked toward the front of the room. Nora figured he was going to fill in some details she’d forgotten, but he didn’t join her. Instead, he stopped a few mets away and held his forearms straight in front of him, palms up. His head dropped in a bow.

  What the hell? The only time Krey had ever bowed to her was when he’d first arrived at the palace last year. That time, it had clearly been an ironic gesture. Now, despite his obvious sincerity, she almost laughed and told him to cut it out.

  Then a chair scraped the floor. One of the militia members stood and held out her arms, lowering her head. Another followed suit, then another, until every person in the room, even Zeisha and Kebi, was standing and bowing to Nora.

  In a way, it felt good. Perhaps she hadn’t earned such support, but she sure needed it. And yet, as she gazed on a sea of lowered heads, loneliness smashed into her like a boxer’s fist to the gut. She wasn’t the only one who knew her position was changing.

  “Thank you,” she said, her voice sounding stronger than h
er spirit felt. “You may sit.”

  As they did so, she resisted the urge to tell them to never bow to her again. A voice spoke in her head, sounding a bit like her internal self and a bit like Sharai. This is exactly what you need if you want to be successful. It’s exactly what they need if they want to follow you.

  They spent the next few minutes discussing their transportation plans. Over the course of several nights, Osmius would carry them, three at a time.

  Nora dismissed the crowd. They left in small groups, laughing and bantering. The sounds grated on her heart.

  As the militia departed, Zeisha remained seated at a table with Kebi and Krey, quietly observing the room. When everyone was gone, Nora walked over.

  “That went well,” Zeisha said.

  Nora nodded thoughtfully, turning to Krey. “I don’t know why you bowed, but thank you.”

  He laughed. “Don’t worry, it’ll never happen again.”

  Nora smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s not raining too hard right now,” she said. “I’m going to the library.”

  “I doubt Eira will let us bring back any more books.”

  “I just need one. I’m hoping she’ll make an exception.” She didn’t explain further. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

  Before she could leave, something inside Zeisha prompted her to speak. “Nora, I’d like to come to the farm too. I was planning to stay here, but . . . I need to come with you. I’m just not sure why.”

  Nora’s smile was a little more genuine this time. “Of course you can come with us.”

  “May I come too?” Kebi asked.

  Nora looked surprised, but said, “Please do. Bring your bow and arrows.”

  A joyful buzz filled Zeisha’s chest.

  Kebi stood. “Krey, I will find dry clothes for you.” When Zeisha and Krey started to rise, she gestured to stop them. “You two should wait here. There’s no reason for us to all go out in the storm. Nora, would you like to share my umbrella?”

  Zeisha watched the two women leave. She and Krey were alone, and she was certain Kebi had planned it that way. A nearby lantern cast a glow on Krey’s eyes. She saw no anger there, only curiosity. She broke the silence with five words. “I’m in love with Kebi.”

  Krey nodded. “I know.”

  “You do?”

  “I suspected it when I saw how you looked at each other.” He shifted in his seat. “I’m happy for you, Zei. Really.”

  Zeisha took a deep breath and spoke again, her voice soft and earnest. “I loved you, Krey. Don’t ever doubt that. When I broke up with you, I thought I might stay single the rest of my life.” She looked off toward the corner of the room, then returned her gaze to him, a small smile on her lips. “I’ve always thought some women were attractive, in the same way I thought some men were. But I never considered whether I could love a woman. I was in love with you. You had my whole heart. Then . . . you didn’t anymore. And one day I realized Kebi had become my best friend. Not too long after that, I knew it wasn’t just friendship I felt for her.”

  Krey laughed softly, shaking his head.

  “What?” Zeisha asked.

  “I had all these questions I couldn’t even put into words, and somehow you’re answering them.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “So . . .” he ventured, “when I found you on that rooftop and tried to convince you to give me another chance, were you and Kebi . . . ?”

  A flush stole over her cheeks. “That was the day after our first kiss.”

  In the subsequent silence, Zeisha’s mind returned to that day. She and Kebi had taken a walk at lunchtime. She’d taken Kebi’s hand, weaving their fingers together. They’d stopped in the deserted street, beside the two-hundred-year-old shell of a crashed solarcar. Kebi had given her a smile full of yearning, and suddenly, their lips were pressed together.

  That was a month ago, and they were still arguing about which one of them had initiated it. Whoever had made the first move, the moment had been perfect, suffused with warm sunlight and the taste of freshly harvested berries. That first kiss had been a song, driven by the beat of eager pulses under soft skin.

  Krey’s voice interrupted her reverie. “That was weeks before we left. Why did you keep it a secret?”

  She drew in a breath, bringing herself back to the present. “I didn’t want to hurt you. And . . . it seemed fast. We’d broken up less than two months before that. I didn’t think you’d understand.”

  “Zei.” He took one of her hands in both of his. “I know I didn’t handle our breakup very well. But I always want you to be honest with me. And I absolutely want you to be happy.”

  “You’re saying if I’d told you I was with Kebi when we were on that rooftop, you would’ve been happy?” A playful smile tugged at her lips.

  “No, I would’ve been crushed . . . but I would’ve been happy eventually. And I’m happy for you now.” He shrugged. “And a little jealous. But only a little.”

  She squeezed his hands. “I hope you find someone. You’ve got a lot of love to give.”

  He let go of her and ran a hand through his wet hair. “My love is reserved for books these days. The relationship is a little one-sided but surprisingly satisfying.”

  She didn’t laugh or even smile. “You deserve happiness too, you know.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but he held up both hands, shaking his head. “I’m an addict, Zeisha. I don’t expect anyone to take that on.”

  “Other people have baggage too. You’re a good guy, and plenty of people . . .” She trailed off. Krey wasn't listening. He was looking off into the distance, a certain helpless desire in his gaze. That desire didn’t seem to be directed at her anymore, thank the sky. Had he found someone else? If so, he clearly wasn’t willing to act on it.

  His eyes found Zeisha again. She swallowed, then spoke. “Let someone love you, Krey.”

  A deep sigh exited his chest.

  12

  Ulmin and I spent the whole day together. First, we practiced our magic in Uncle Quin’s back yard. He’s experimental with his stone lysting, always trying new techniques.

  “I think there’s still much to learn about magic in our world,” he told me. “I want to discover it all.”

  -Letter from Ambrel Kaulder to Dani Kaulder

  Dated Centa 29, 180 PD

  Nora closed her eyes, breathing deeply of Osmius’s musky, slightly spicy scent. Warm air ruffled her hair and clothes.

  Zeisha and Kebi rode behind her. It was Kebi’s first time on a dragon, and she’d admitted to being nervous. After so many rides with Osmius, Nora was almost too relaxed. She had to remind herself not to drift to sleep. Flying on the back of a magical beast would always carry some level of risk.

  But she trusted Osmius, as much as she trusted her friends. When she took the crown and everyone else moved on, would Osmius remain? Or would he settle into a life of wild solitude, far from humanity?

  She couldn’t ask him. She might not be able to handle the answer. But a thought insisted on drifting from her mind to his. Why does everything have to change?

  I do not know, Nora-human, he replied, grief thick in his rich voice.

  “Nora?” Zeisha called over the wind.

  Nora turned her head. “Yes?”

  “We need to take a detour!” Zeisha shouted.

  “Where to?”

  “The southwest.”

  One of Nora’s eyebrows rose. She’d hoped for a more direct answer than that. “Is this an Anya thing?”

  “Yes.”

  Nora couldn’t come close to understanding Zeisha’s new magic. She knew the basics—as the Anya, Zeisha could awaken the powers of the Well, the magic that filled the entire planet. But being the Anya also involved listening. Zeisha seemed to think God actually talked to her. Nora was skeptical about such an explanation, but wherever Zeisha was getting her information, she’d proven herself reliable.

  “Ok
ay,” Nora called. “We’ll go southwest. But we need to tell Krey first.”

  At her words, Osmius turned. He descended a bit, then positioned himself under Krey, who’d been flying behind them to avoid overloading Osmius.

  “I don’t like having a dragon under me,” Krey shouted.

  Nora barely stifled a laugh. She craned her neck to look at him. “Would you rather him be over you?”

  “No!”

  “The Anya needs to take a detour. I don’t know how long it’ll take.”

  “I need fuel and a rest soon anyway. I’ll meet you back at the farm.”

  Nora confirmed, and Osmius turned in a southwesterly direction.

  Zeisha gave occasional shouted instructions as they flew. It was at least an hour before she told Osmius to land.

  When Nora’s boots hit rocky, sloped ground, she asked Osmius, Where are we?

  On a hill south of the Kamina River.

  “I’ll get a candle,” Zeisha said.

  Before she could open her pack, glowing, white light illuminated them all. Nora grinned at the white ball of fire Osmius held in his mouth. She’d seen him do this, but Zeisha and Kebi were both staring at the dragon, their mouths open as wide as his.

  “Thank you,” Zeisha managed.

  “Why did you bring us here?” Nora asked her.

  “I’m not sure yet.”

  Kebi smiled. “She will know soon.”

  They stepped back as Zeisha knelt and placed her hands on the rocky ground. “There’s”—she hesitated, then continued—“old life here.”

  “Old life?” Nora asked.

  The ground started popping. Rocks, large and small, jumped into the air, then dropped back to the ground. Nora watched, wide-eyed, as an area of ground about one-met square popped and leapt.

  The ground stopped moving, piles of loose rocks now covering it. Zeisha picked up a rock and approached Osmius’s glowing mouth. She beckoned Nora and Kebi over. “Look at this!”