Chapter2
Wavellite
TEO
Ascending the endless steps my father had once used to separate the rest of the city from his throne is tedious on a good day. Now, it is unbearable. Vann and I hurry through the courtyard filled with poisonous, glowing mushrooms. Giantlumikaps, we call them. As we approach my crumbling throne, mage lights float above us, drawing power from the Ardorflame in the center of the city. A fountain spitting bioluminescent water gurgles to my left as we turn into the viewing room.
My advisor and I step inside, and I take a deep breath. This place is filled with mirrors to remind our guests that they are being watched. Soon, the stone bender will join us to further encourage an amicable exchange. I am careful to protect the one commodity the giants desire—dead rocks.
Diamonds.
Since we have inherited a frozen wasteland and shadowy caves, we can barely grow anything. They take our gems, and we take their plants.
I produce keys from one of the many pockets sewn into my clothes and open the side door where the cut gems are stored, all while the vibrations in the rock beneath my feet draw nearer and rattle my bones. I grit my teeth against the dissonance, and my neck starts to itch.
“Get the new ones. They are the largest,” I say, scratching at the spot just above my collar bone.
“The ones from last week?” Vann asks.
I nod, dropping my fists to my sides. They are as good as forged from blood.
Vann hisses as he picks up a covered tray with stones the size of his fist. I know he believes the same as everyone else, that diamonds are cursed. “We could give them crystals as large as their fingers, but they ask for these bedeviled chunks of volcano.”
I press my lips together. They are also reminders of what my father had done. All stones have energies—some just more than others. Only Enduares sense their songs, and know their potential to heal, unify, grieve, or give the greatest gift of all: a mate. Though, if I am being honest, that gift is something I have long since given up. There are no Enduares left to show up on my doorstep and sing.
I hold up my hand, silencing our casual conversation as the stone bender pauses at the threshold. “My king?” he asks, waiting for permission to enter.
“One moment, Luth.” Glaring at Vann, I quickly say, “If this is the only way we can get what we need, then it is better that they are traded far away from our home.”
“Yes, my king.” Vann’s lips turn down, but he continues to take out different stones, and I leave to find the contracts dotted with the insignia of my people: a hammer crossed over a scroll.
“Enter, friend,” I say.
Luth steps into the room, a floating orb of lava trailing behind him. He is quiet, focusing all his senses on ensuring he contains the deadly liquid in the form he projects.
“Any report, stone bender?” I ask.
He nods, lips still pressed into a firm line. “Prince Keksej appears to be in the beginning stages of inebriation. He killed one of their humans while entering the tunnel.”
I frown, disgusted. “We will need to sort that out after the feast. Any of the slaves looking particularly in need of respite?”
Luth’s frown deepens. “Forgive me, I did not see them all.”
I sigh. “How long until they arrive?”
“They are speaking with Lothar. They should be here within the next five minutes.”
The temperature in the room skyrockets, and my advisor starts taking out weapons before selecting a particularly sharp-looking sword to display while the giants inspect our treasures. “Who are the dead diamonds for now?” he asks.
I sniff. “Prince Keksej’s idiotic brother.”
Vann growls, waving his three-fingered fist in the air. “Weren’t they here two weeks ago?”
I nod, flexing my fingers and swatting a wandering glitter beetle with my tail. “Apparently, there was a problem with the first one. His bride did not like the shape or some nonsense.”
“Perhaps she senses the curse they all carry.”
The rumbling gets louder, and my ears twitch. Sweat collects under my clothing and slides over the gold circlet resting on my brow. “Unlikely. Giants live in forests. They know nothing of caves and rock.”