Such bloody, ruthless gods.
Melisa’s eyes finally meet mine. No tears mar her flawless skin, but the horror is apparent. She never looked like that in Enduvida.
I need to get her back to her new home. One that exists because the stones sang a new future for us all.
Even without Fuegorras, those humans heard their own hope in the stones. They whispered it in back rooms and told the others.Little do they know I stand among their people. And my king sent me to help.
I know the ways of strategy. I have led before.
"Anyone else wish to question my words?" Eneko snaps. “No? Very well. You have your orders. You alone decide if you will die this evening. I suggest you work quickly."
The man lifts himself off of his knees, blood streaming down his back and dripping into the snow, face pale as ever. We all watch as he struggles to get back to his spot in the line. No one helps him, for none wish to risk the pain that might come from it.
I am moved to compassion.
I break away and help him to stand. The humans watch as I pull him up.
"Let him walk by himself!" the guard bellows.
I continue to move, glaring ahead as the injured slave hobbles next to me, heavily leaning on my arm for support. The other slaves shift their spots as I bring him to stand near me.
Eneko watches me with hooded eyes.
"Let him be, halfblood," Eneko says.
I look back up at him. "I am merely ensuring we get all the trees you need. You need every slave."
It breaks my heart to feel the man at my side pull away. He doesn't so much as nod, not that I blame him. I can understand why he might not want me to assist him.
The guards push us forward to get our working tools, and I watch him go.
When I’m at the front of the line, the smell of roses and cinnamon engulfs me.
I reach for my ax, and Eneko stops me.
"Remember that there are no winners in this game. You may help him walk now, but you will not save him from death at the end of the day. Without a fourth, his chopping team will be helpless. You don't want to be grouped in with such people."
I look up at him. "I meant what I said; I want to ensure we cut enough wood."
Eneko continues to study me, and I wonder if he regrets bringing me to his lumber yard yet.
He certainly doesn’t know that I want him dead. Dead for what he has done to the humans and dead for the woman who sits behind him. On his cart. Sharing his bed.
The forbidden woman I should’ve never touched—should’ve never started to care for.
"I heard you cut fast, pair that with the kinship we share in blood, and I find I am hesitant to punish you. But act out like this again, and I will not spare my hand."
I grit my teeth.
He seems fixated on the fact that I have this giant blood. I am not above playing into that.
"Why would I side with the humans when the same blood that runs through my veins also runs through yours?"
He purses his lips. “Good words. Make your goal."
I nod, leaning forward to grab the blunted ax. The air changes as I reach out, almost as if I were reaching for Melisa, not a pitiful weapon.
I would kill every last giant in this field and hold her close while the humans run. Far, fast, free.