Page 23 of Sins of the Stone

Ramuz

D espite the passionate evening they had, the following morning, Ramuz noticed Ursulette slip deep into thought, pondering the critical decision she would have to make very soon. This was a time-sensitive matter—the longer she stayed away, the more of a facade she would have to maintain. And, of course, he knew she was never good at lying.

Certain things came naturally to her—talents and kindness were as difficult as blinking, but spinning a tale was not one of them. And he was sure thinking of the consequences of lacking such a skill was a whole new breed of torture. It ached his heart to think of what was going through her head.

Ursulette was sprawled in bed, her hands folded behind her head, staring at the ceiling. Her gaze barely avoided the candle fixture above her. With a small sigh, he sat beside her and placed his hand on her stomach. Her warmth made him shudder.

“You know I do not like when you are quiet,” he said. Ursulette’s steady gaze fell from the ceiling. She unfolded her hands from beneath her head and set them atop his, taking a breath before speaking.

“I know. It’s just—” She paused, the words feeling scrambled in her mouth. “I don’t like leaving Giles there, and almost everyone is injured. Not to mention being led by Omar… That must be hell in itself.” She sucked in another breath and sat up. Ramuz slipped his hand from her and set it on her shoulder, giving her a stern expression. The mere mention of his name made him want to seek him out and destroy him. The only thing holding him back was Ursulette.

“As much as it displeases me to bring you back there with that—” he clenched his fist, “— worm , I understand your pain. If you wish to return, I will take you.” She breathed a sigh of relief, probably thinking there were no stipulations. If only it were that simple, but her safety was his only priority.

“Thank you—”

“But,” he continued. “If he touches a single hair on your head, I will not hesitate to step in.” She released a breath like she had been holding it her entire life. Even if she was panicking about the reaction from her fellow humans, he couldn’t bring himself to share the same concern when she could be at risk.

Though he couldn’t help but think about what was going through her head. Gruesome visions of death, dismemberment, and horror were probably flashing in her mind, not unlike the carnage she saw in the ruins of her village, only this time it was the two of them.

“T-that’s not a good idea. I can defend myself, just like before.”

Ramuz nodded. “I know you have, and you can, but keeping the peace and associating with one who does not have your best interest in mind has worn you down, Ursulette,” he said. She let out a sigh.

Knowing what he knew, in the past, Ursulette would’ve fought back when he put his hand on her or confronted her in the woods. Desperation and trauma had eaten away at her once strong personality. Even if she wasn’t the most proud, at least she wouldn’t have put up with such treatment. Now, she didn’t have to worry about that. He was here to protect her, even if she thought she could handle it herself.

“Nothing will happen, I promise. And if something does, I will defend myself,” she vowed. “I made a mistake last time. I will not repeat that, I promise you.” Ramuz nodded, sliding his claws through her hair. His eyes fixed on her silky locks, watching as they shone in the candlelight.

“I need to do this for myself. Don’t intervene if something happens. I need you safe, and I need to prove to myself that all this does not break me,” she said. The word made his chest hollow out. If only she knew how not broken she was. Ramuz made an indiscernible sound and plucked his claws from her hair, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her towards him.

Ursulette’s bottom lip trembled, which only made him feel worse. He knew she was sick of crying and feeling powerless. Now was the time to take her power back, and it wouldn’t be so difficult with him by her side. With a sigh, she rested her head on his shoulder.

“You are not broken, Ursulette,” he said. “You are the strongest woman I have ever seen.” Her face bloomed with her signature blush. Thankfully, this time, it was not because of tears. He placed his hands on either side of her face and pulled her gaze to his. Her sky-blue eyes connected with his yellow leer, making his heart flutter.

“And if you ever think otherwise, I will prove you wrong.” Her face deepened as he threaded his hand through her hair once more. “Whatever my precious human wants, she will get. And if you wish to return, I will not deny you.”

* * *

Relentless rain came soon after they left. It should’ve been relaxing, but once more, it fed into their worries. Multiple times on their journey back, they had to stop under a large tree or in a cave because of the chatter in Ursulette’s teeth. She had to pry her shoes out of the viscous liquid a time or two. As they departed, their feet left imprints, hopefully to be washed away in the torrential weather.

Because of their frequent stops, they arrived at the encampment right before nightfall. The sky was aglow with the fading sun’s haze, and they landed just outside the camp. Ursulette trudged through the mud again, and Ramuz found a suitable hiding place along the edge.

He tucked himself behind a large stone, peeking from behind it and watching her like he had so many times before. Her hair was dripping, but that was the least of his concerns as her head swiveled and searched through the remainder of the survivors, seeking out her friend.

She smiled softly at a few of them and received a curt nod in return. It would be perfect if Omar didn’t disturb her this time, but knowing him, that would be his only concern. Thinking about it made Ramuz sink his claws into the stone he hid behind, leaving white streaks of rage pressed into it for eternity.

Right on command, heavy footsteps distracted her as she scanned another humble group of tired-looking citizens. Omar’s face was twisted with an unknown emotion—something akin to malice—and it made his heartbeat thunder in his ears.

She can handle it, he thought. She is strong.

“Ursulette, nice of you to show up after your brief escape,” he heard Omar say snidely. Immediately, Ursulette’s face shaded with pink. His voice was much louder than normal—something surely intentional—drawing a few stray gazes.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ursulette countered.

“Sure you do, wandering off back home, wherever that may be,” he said. Ursulette’s eyes narrowed, almost causing Ramuz to smile. She looked so fierce, tearing him down with her gaze.

“I told you, I sleep better at my shelter. I’m accustomed to being there.” Despite her returning confidence, the lingering stares of familiar, curious and suspicious faces made the setting sun reflect the sweat off her forehead. It wasn’t just the rain against her skin. He knew her well enough to know that.

“Yes, of course. Someone like you can build a shelter and survive by herself, safe from creatures and fully nourished.” With each word, Omar’s voice seemed to raise, drawing a considerable amount of eyes. Surely now, he pulled most of the citizen’s attention to them.

“Do you all not think it’s a little odd?” he added. Ursulette’s head pivoted. Many people were staring, but a few nodded, agreeing with what Omar said.

“I am not as inept as you may think,” she snarled, her knuckles white. The slimy expression on his face made Ramuz nauseous, thinking about how much he was enjoying tormenting the woman he loved. He would think he was having a little too much fun if he didn’t know any better.

“I am well aware of that,” he said. “I just don’t understand how. ” He paused as his lips curled with a smirk. “But I will soon. Very, very soon.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You are no longer escaping, Ursulette,” Omar said, baring his teeth in a sinister smile. “Until I figure out what you are up to, you are going to mend my trust and stay by my side.” Ursulette’s face paled, further chipping away at his hesitation.

She scanned the tree line, but her eyes did not connect with him. Then Omar lashed out, taking her wrist in his grasp and making Ramuz jolt forward before lurking back into the shadows.

“Fine,” she submitted. Her compliance crushed him. Omar grinned devilishly and led her away toward his tent. Their feet splashed against the puddles on the ground, and Ramuz quickly shifted positions from behind the stone to being tucked away near a tree.

He prayed that if she really felt she needed help, she would call for him. Then he could scoop her up and bring her home, and they could both forget this whole thing. Ursulette kept her eyes on the ground, strands of hair sticking to her damp forehead. Her defeat was profound and made his throat close.

A set of jumbled steps broke her out of her trance and him out of his sorrows as a familiar face approached them. Hopefully, her friend would put a stop to this madness. Giles stuck out his walking stick, stopping Omar from pulling her away.

“What the hell is going on here, Omar?” Giles growled. Immediately, the fiend released her wrist, and she drew it to her chest.

“She acts suspicious. Do you deny that?” he said. Giles returned a scowl to him, clearly dissatisfied with his gross display of power.

“You must take her for a moron, then.”

He shook his head. “Not a moron,” Omar said. “ Hiding something. Someone of her stature who has not lost weight walking here and back wherever she has been is distrustful and, therefore, a danger to the rest of us. She’s still fat as a pig.” Simultaneously, Ursulette and Ramuz gasped, and the dam holding back her emotion broke and flowed from her eyes.

Anger and sorrow intermingled and came out in an unusually violent action. Given the circumstances, he only wished he could’ve enjoyed the moment more. Ursulette arched her hand back, and her palm connected with Omar’s cheek, echoing so loudly that it might have woken the dead.

“Bastard!” she snarled. “How dare you say something so awful to me?” In retaliation, Omar pressed his hands to her, and, in an instant, she was plummeting to the ground.

A splash of mud coated her dress with dark stains. He knew that instead of being concerned for herself, she was thinking about the consequences of him coming to save her. Blood, destruction, torture, death… both of them in pain, her hanging from the ends of the gallows as her tongue popped from between her lips, turning a deathly, frosty blue.

But that was not enough. He needed to step in. This had gone too far, and anyone putting their grubby hands on her did not deserve to be in her life. Just as he stepped out from his hiding place, he heard her desperate voice echoing through the air.

“Do not help me!” Ursulette cried, her voice ripping through the thundering rain, pulling a handful of eyes toward them. Never before had he heard her voice reach such heights, and it made him feel like he was being pulverized. Why would she plead for him not to help? But Ramuz knew that answer—because she was protecting him.

“Help you? No one is going to help a traitorous, scheming slut like you!” Omar raised his foot to stomp on her, and she raised her hands in defense. Ramuz was ready to dart before Giles raised his walking stick. A dull smacking sound made Ursulette’s eyes widen.

Even with Giles’ crippling injury, he still was defending her, even though that should’ve been his job. She shook her head and scrambled to her feet, almost slipping in the mud. He kept his stick out to keep the two of them separated.

“Get out of here, boy,” he snarled. “She has done nothing condemnable except reject you, which is not all that dishonorable considering your dreadful behavior.” Omar backed away, making him breathe a sigh of relief. It was nice to see him retreat for once, but Ramuz would always remember what he did to Ursulette. It would be branded into his brain for the rest of his life—until he got a suitable revenge if that was what she requested.

“You just fucked yourself, old man.” Omar turned to Ursulette. “She’s hiding something, and I’m going to find out what.” Then he spun around and tromped off, his feet sticking to the gluey mud below them. The vague sound of a mutter followed him and faded as he disappeared from his vision. Giles turned to her.

“Why on earth would you not want help?” he questioned, his voice cracking ever so slightly. Ursulette’s cheeks flushed.

“I-I need to do things for myself now,” she said. Giles set his calloused hand on her shoulder, making her gaze fall.

“You always have. I think it’s time to put a stop to that,” he replied solemnly. Ursulette sucked her lip between her teeth, nodding. Hopefully, she knew what she had to do and how to avoid this all, but the answer would never be easy. Ramuz understood that well enough, but once physical violence was involved, there was no going back.

“Giles, I need to go. I can’t be here anymore. He’s—” she paused, trying to pick her words carefully for a reason that was lost on him, “—unstable.” Giles’ face pinched as he nodded.

“Being a spineless woman-beater will do that to a man.”

Ursulette folded her arms across her chest loosely. A muted sorrow crept through Ramuz’s body like hands playing his ribs like a harp. But the need to be with your own kind never faded, only dulled. She would be experiencing the same pain he felt, and it hurt him. Hopefully, he could make her feel better. They could be alone together, mourning the loss of their people.

“I do not know when I’ll be back. Perhaps when things have died down, I will return… if they do at all,” Ursulette croaked. She was on the verge of tears, and he could not blame her. “But I do not want this to be goodbye. I will be back in the future. You have been too good to me for some worm to pry us apart.” Giles smiled gingerly, his eyes shining with the same sorrow Ursulette was feeling.

“I am glad to hear that, Ursulette.” Despite his wounded leg, Giles pulled her into an embrace, his hand gripping the back of her head. Ursulette took in a sharp breath. The tendons in her jaw indicated that she was biting down on her tongue, hoping not to let a tear slip from her eye. If only she knew it was okay to cry. It had always been okay to cry. They separated, and he gave her another small smile.

“Where are you staying, anyway? Perhaps I can come visit once my leg heals up,” he said. Her cheeks looked warm, contrary to the chill of the rain and the thundering grumble above their heads. She would have to spin another tale.

“N-north of here.” That was true, but everything else she would say was a lie. It would be better if no one, even Giles, knew where she was at. “By a large tree in a cave.” Sure, there were a few caves around, but not many. At least not any that were near them. Hopefully, no one would come looking.

“You’re really one hell of a girl, aren’t you?” he said. “I’ve slept in caves, and they’re no fun at all.” Ursulette gave him a reassuring but painful smile. Her expression was so strained that he could feel her agony.

“Not fun, but better than with him .”

* * *

Ramuz watched from the shadows as warm tears streamed down Ursulette’s face. Her feet crunched against the forest debris as he trailed her. The rain had died down. He didn’t want to call out to her for fear of drawing attention to how close they still were to the camp. Despite the heavy emotions, he was grateful they could finally distance themselves from it all. Even if the goodbye was gut-wrenching for Ursulette, he would help her.

She clutched her hands to her chest to keep herself from shivering. Much to his heartbreak, she broke into a sob, and her legs buckled as the torrent of sorrow consumed her. He knew this was his sign to come to her aid. Drawing attention was not worth watching her suffer like this.

The breeze picked up, and without hesitation, he launched himself into the air, dodging trees to get to her. Once he reached her, he tucked his hands beneath her arms and scooped her up. Relief washed over him as their bodies connected, but much to his dismay, she was too distressed to look up at him. A cry withered and died on her lips as they broke through the canopy, and she tucked her head against him to hide her swollen, pink eyes.

The pair landed on a cliffside as the sun slowly descended. Neither of them had room to enjoy the rainbow of colors crossing the sky above. Ramuz pulled her against him as she gripped his chest, crying into his leathery skin. He ran his hands through her hair. He could feel her accelerating heart calm into a flutter while he comforted her.

“I made a mistake,” she said, her voice still crumbling. “I should’ve never gone back. It’s not worth it, and it’s not worth losing you.” Despite her proclamation, there was only one thing thundering in his mind. The phrase that hurt hum the most.

“You screamed for me not to help you,” he said sadly, placing his hand under her chin and drawing her damp eyes to his.

“I-I know…”

“It shattered my heart, Ursulette,” he said. “You would rather suffer than expose me? Why protect me when you know I would’ve helped you?” The dam broke again, and the tears began once more. She pulled away from him, her feet almost stumbling across the uneven stone.

“Because you are the only one left!” she cried. “There are many humans, many of me. If I am responsible for the extinction of your species because I was too weak to defend myself , I couldn’t live with that guilt.” His lips thinned. Ramuz stepped forward. Her declaration was noble but unnecessary. She concerned herself over something that would never be.

“Ursulette,” he said softly. She continued to snivel, pressing her knuckles to her eyes. “Look at me.” Ramuz gripped her wrists and pried her hands away gently. He knew that this was surely overwhelming for her—the siege, Omar and his wicked ways, leaving Giles, having to protect him, and the ever-looming thought of dying. But he wanted her to know it didn’t have to be this way. Ramuz pulled her against him again while she blubbered.

“It does not matter how many humans there are, or how many gargoyles still exist. There is only one of you.” He raked his claws through her hair as she shuddered with tears. “You are the most important thing to me. If someone tries to bring you harm, you cannot worry about the fate of others. There will never be more gargoyles unless there is a miracle or mishap. Humans have tried and failed to bring me down, except for one.” Her tears vanished.

“You.”

Their eyes met once again. “I have never crawled out of my home as much as I have with you. I have never been so reckless as I have with you. Never before have I bared my soul to another living being as much as I have with you. The power you hold over me is vast and immeasurable,” he said. “If you were to command me to end this world, nothing would stop me from fulfilling your wish.” Any utterance Ursulette wished to speak shriveled away. He gave her a soft smile and brushed a stray hair from her cheek.

“But you will no longer have to worry about that because there will not be a next time,” he said. “I will keep you safe and warm, and I will be by your side. You do not need to concern yourself with anything ever again. The demons and creatures will not hurt you. That worm will not hurt you. As long as I breathe, you will heal from this.” Ursulette’s voice creaked like a bending tree branch once she could speak.

“I’ve been a fool,” she said.

Ramuz shook his head. “Not a fool, Ursulette. Just hurt.” She returned his nod, and they parted, observing the glowing sun fading away. The tickle of a final tear fell down her cheek, and he hoped it would be the last. The hues of the sky took his breath away—blush pinks and dusty purples topped the fiery glow of a large orange ember vanishing in a few more moments. But it was no match for her, even if she didn’t know it.

Once the sun faded, Ramuz entwined his bulky hand in hers. Ursulette smiled softly, and he hoped for once she felt at peace after all the chaos. She glanced down at her feet, and he followed her eyes, noticing their ankles caked in mud. Her gaze glided to his. With a smile, she spoke.

“Let’s go,” she said. “I think we could use a bath, or at least some cleaning.” Ramuz smiled and leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead. She always knew just the right thing to say.

“I would love nothing more,” he said. “This time, will you not hide from me?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”