Carmine (Completed)

Chapter 63

Five dispensed the pills into my palm. I cocked my head back, and threw the pills into the swirl of my tongue. The wind passed around us, unsettling the leaves in their frightened whimpers along the dry earth. I swallowed the pills, and the relief overtook my body.

My eyes closed on Dagon's residence as I inhaled in hopeful relief that never came.

What was instant, now took longer, yet eliciting the pained patience I lacked. The headache still ruled my forehead. Should I take more pills?

"Five, Dagon is calling you," Janilla said. I turned to her approaching from beside a narrow evergreen tree.

Five nodded, and was about to leave. I said, "Leave the container." He gave it to me, and twirled around. "Hold."

He spun back to look at me. I said, "Five, I want you to act more independently." He blinked. "If you can, look out for my best interest whenever you can. Do you understand?"

Five's eyes shifted downward as he hesitated. "I—I'll try, Mother."

I scowled. "Never, do you ever tell me you'll try. I only want to hear the grit in your voice, no weakness."

He regained his composure with a firm nod. "Without fail, I will Mother." Five left my presence.

Valor leaned on the tree on the outskirts of the residence, staring at me. I knew Sandream scoped out the forest as Five lost his abilities, so his empath ability could not be used to help with early warnings.

I went to Valor. "Does it cost two rings to craft a glyph?"

"It is cheaper than that," Valor said.

"I knew it."My fist balled up.

Valor giggled. "Settle down, considering the short notice and the lack of availability, that is fine. Not like you can use them."

A throb traversed across my ear. "Is it true Elam was destroyed by Queen Riana of Ascus?"

Valor chuckled. "It would be more accurate to say she destroyed their facade."

"Facade?"

"The first person to take an army of farmers, and boys with pitchforks, and arrows, defeating the powerful race of Elamnites in battle after battle. It was embarrassing."

"The Elams have a weakness?"

He crossed his arms across his chest. "Yes, their pride. She was just a smarter commander. Riana outsmarted, outmaneuvered them on every level, she made them bleed, for the first time in a long time. Elam in their complacency, died in many people's minds on that day." Valor smirked at me. "Why ask about her, lassie?"

This headache was not getting better. "I heard she was a singularity."

Valor rolled his eyes. "Maybe, but some don't want to believe it, because singularities are not supposed to die! She might be, Riana was different." That grin that warmed my heart returned. "Like you."

"Stop it. I have not a crown to cradle my head, much less an army."

"Don't need any. We have each other." His hand took over the whole of my shoulder in its unlikely embrace, and as much as begged for the warmth of his body sliding closer to mine, a more incessant burn razed in my body.

I grunted with a shake of my head, and opened the container. "Don't get too soft on me, I need a warrior, not a lover."

His hand gripped my arm, and with tender care pulled my open palm from the container. "Valor let go of my hand," I ordered.

"You know why Exodine is so effective?" Valor's voice seemed far away when he spoke low.

Janilla stepped forward, her hands hovering over ours afraid to interfere with this struggle. "Please guys, be peaceful now."