The Jade Bones by Lani Forbes

Author:Lani Forbes [Forbes, Lani]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781982546731
Google: 73r0DwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Published: 2021-02-16T00:00:00+00:00

Yemania forced the flatbread and spiced deer meat down her throat, despite how difficult it felt to swallow. Metzi was marrying Ochix. Her Ochix.

Well, technically he wasn’t hers. It wasn’t as if they had made any promises to each other. In fact, now that she looked back, how could she be sure Ochix had really felt anything for her at all? It was probably in her head. He was a handsome, strong warrior prince, and she was—well, he had no reason to pick someone like her.

Except, she was the High Healer of Tollan now. She had that to be proud of. And although it was an appointment by Metzi, Yemania knew she deserved it. She was a talented healer, and her tender nature made her that much better at it. Healing didn’t always involve the body alone. As brilliant of a healer as Coatl was, he had always struggled to see those he healed as more than whatever ailed them. They were challenges to him, puzzles to solve. To Yemania, they were souls to save. Mothers to return to their children. Sons to return to their fathers. Lovers to return to . . .

She clamped her teeth down hard on her lip and then hissed at the blood she tasted.

“Are you all right?” Metzi asked from beside her, dropping a luscious blackberry into her mouth.

“Yes, I’m sorry, I bit my lip. I’m fine.”

Metzi chewed and then pouted her own lip. “Well, luckily you can heal yourself, can’t you?”

“Actually, no. The royalty of Pahtia can’t heal themselves. We can heal others by drawing on the spirit within us—the presence of Ixtlilton’s spirit within our blood. In a sense, we’re gifting it to them. It is the self-sacrificial act of giving to another that allows them to receive the gift of healing. Without the self-sacrifice, there is no healing. So, another descendant can sacrifice their own blood to heal me, but it is not true sacrifice to help myself.” Yemania swirled the pulque in her bowl before taking a sip. “At least, that’s how my aunt Temoa explained it to me.”

“And what is your role as High Healer of Tollan?” a deep voice said from Metzi’s other side.

Yemania’s gut twisted as she recognized the voice.

“Um.” She swallowed hard. “I am the personal healer to the royal family of Tollan. As Metzi is the only living descendant of the sun god left, my job is less demanding at present. But I’m sure that will change after . . .”

“After my family grows.” Metzi smiled at Ochix suggestively.

Yemania choked on her pulque. “Sorry,” she sputtered. “The . . . pulque burned the cut on my lip.”

“What if something happens to you?” Ochix asked. “Since you cannot heal yourself?”

“Well, I’ve given that some thought.” Yemania turned to Metzi. “Your Majesty, as your life is of such crucial importance, I think it might be best if there are two healers living in the palace. In case something happens to me, there is always another who can

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