Page 58 of Keeper of the Word

“And I do not know all your past, but I know that you understand naught of what actually occurs outside your pristine city.”

Elanna was at a loss for words. No one ever spoke like this to her. Ever.“You are the keeper of the word.”

“That phrase continues to be tossed around as if it will save the continent. What does it even mean? Truly?”

“Lord Wolf,” Hux broached, breaking his silence next to them. Joss and Barrett stood behind him, eyes searching the ground.

“What does it mean?” Tolvar’s voice rose.

“I know not…yet. But when it has been revealed to me, I need youhere.”

“And I will be. When I return.” Tolvar mounted Valko, nodded to Gus, already astride his horse, and the two exited the inner gate.

Something flashed before Elanna. The reverberation of the rumbling from last night returned. An intake of breath escaped her.

“Lady, are you well?” Hux asked, his fingertips grazing her forearm.

“Wait,” she whispered. “Wait.” She closed her eyes.Wait for what?Wait for the wedding? Wait for time? Wait?—

“Wait!” Elanna yelled. “Tolvar! Sir Tolvar, wait!” Her first few steps were stumbles, her legs like mint jelly, but she willed herself to lift her skirts and pump them after Tolvar and Gus. “Wait!”

Making her way out of the inner keep, she spotted them at the other end of the outer courtyard; they were almost to the castle’s main gate. Sidra Castle guards and pages gawked. Behind her, the smacking of others’ footsteps followed. Joss caught up with her. But Hux dashed past, his pace quicker than she’d ever witnessed a man sprint. He, too, yelled at Tolvar to halt.

They’re not going to halt.

When they were almost through the gate, one of the entrance guards darted in front of Tolvar’s horse, pointing back to Hux andthe others running up behind him. Tolvar shifted and gave them an expression of surprise. Valko cantered toward them.

“What is it?” Tolvar had his hand on his sword and was scanning the vicinity. He dismounted.

Elanna panted, unlike Joss, Hux, and Barrett. “Give me…” She had to catch her breath. Her lungs and legs simmered.

Tolvar leaned down so they were eye level. “What is it?”

“Give me that stone in your pocket,” Elanna finally uttered.

Tolvar straightened himself and patted the lump in his hose’s pocket. “What stone?”

“The Edan Stone?” Hux asked next to them.

“Aye, if that is what ’tis called. Give it to me.”

The two men shared a glance before Tolvar crossed his arms. “Why?”

“I promise to return it to you. ’Tis more vital than either of us know. Pray, give it to me for safekeeping until your return.”

Tolvar scratched his beard. She could feel his mind working, wondering how she knew he had a stone in his pocket.

Why have the stars chosen a man so full of doubt?She immediately bit the side of her cheek for the thought. StarSeersne’erquestioned the stars.She gave a silent apology to the veiled stars and vowed to go to the Delara as soon as she had that stone.

“Please.” Her cheeks warmed from not yet having caught her breath.

Tolvar’s hand grasped the lump in his pocket, and he withdrew it, covering it fully with his fist so Elanna was unable to glimpse it. They stood silently while Tolvar squeezed his fist around it.

After a time, Tolvar peered around, rolling his eyes at the scrutiny that had developed around them in the courtyard.

His tone was soft, for Elanna’s ears alone. “This stone is why I am alive. This stone is why someone I loved is not. ’Tis a curse. And a weight. But I find I must carry it so as to not”—he scratched his chin again—“break.”

Elanna placed a hand on his forearm. She had so little strength left. But in this moment, so, too, it appeared, did the Wolf. She did not feed Tolvar any of the warmth from her being. He did not wantit. But she knew—mayhap from the lack she’d experienced—the touch of another soul could create wonders within one’s essence. Elanna did not know the extent of the relationship between Tolvar and Sloane the Unsung, but the Wolf carried so much more than love. Guilt. Grief. Unease. The last troubled her, and she found it strange that the Wolf wanted for assuredness.