Chapter 33 #2
As soon as we stepped underneath its long shadow, all the dregs of warmth vanished. At the back of the line, Dax and I were more exposed to the wind. We huddled so close together, our backpacks bumped into each other.
A metal cling resounded from mine.
Damn it.
I closed my eyes and sighed as Dax gasped.
“You brought it with you,” he whispered, delighted. “I knew you hadn’t given up hope.”
“It’s just a precaution,” I whispered back.
There was no existence where the crown remained unguarded by a Protectorate member. I might not have been heir, but I’d pledged my allegiance years ago, and nobody could steal that from me.
“If you say so,” Dax said, so cheerfully, he forgot to complain about the cold.
Time dragged, my feet ached, and the hail hit my face mercilessly. Sylvester kept flying above the two of us, and I knew Ryker had a hand in this as well.
Just as the ice had seeped through all the leathers and furs, we finally reached the passage, the sun barely peeking behind us.
The wall still spread above and beyond, suffocating in its greatness–but now the stench of putrid ash coated my tongue. I knew it was only a memory, but that didn’t stop my knees from shaking.
Last time, Ryker and I had entered the passage together, hand in hand.
Now he stood in front of it alone.
He had to go first–and alone–to disengage the traps he’d set up at the entrance.
I knew that the passage was now devoid of those masked attackers.
That he would be safe.
But my heart didn’t understand. It wanted to face the darkness alongside him.
I dug my heels harder into the snow. He’d get the job done much faster without my human speed dragging us.
I didn’t even know if he wanted me by his side–and I shouldn’t have yearned for it in the first place.
As logic and sentiment battled inside of me, the sun finally caught up with us.
The scorched earth began to glimmer.
The ghost of screams, metal clangs, and ashy darkness beat against me.
My chest clenched as the great big mouth of the crater revealed itself once more. It swallowed every sound around it, leaving behind only deathly silence, as it rippled awe and dread through the warriors.
I wanted to run away and draw closer at the same time.
My body swayed forward, screaming to follow as Ryker disappeared into the darkness, a yell caught in the back of my throat.
He’s safe.
He’s safe.
He’s safe.
I didn’t know how long I chanted, but I only stopped when Ryker walked back out again, tall, stoic, and unharmed.
At his curt nod, the warriors roared, lifted their weapons and rushed inside the passage.
“Now that is courage,” Dax muttered. Only then did I notice the color had drained from his face, as he kept staring at the entrance as if it would eat him whole.
“Nothing’s going to happen,” I forced myself to say as calmly as I could while I also quaked inside.
Up ahead, Geryll took three long breaths before he passed through it. My chest constricted as his blond hair and shield vanished.
He’s safe.
He’s safe.
And he’d faced his fears with the barest hint of hesitation after being wounded in that darkness.
Come on, Vegheara. You faced the passage before–and you won.
Sylvester flew above in circles as the passage swallowed more and more warriors. As soon as they stepped into the darkness, their roars died.
I swallowed thickly as the line grew smaller under Ryker’s unflinching gaze.
I looked behind. All I could see was snow and ice.
No purple glimmer, no hum, no good omen from Solkar’s Reach.
My mind flashed to Nadya. Mrs. Thornbrew. All the children who’d watched their parents and siblings leave for war, not knowing if they’ll ever meet again.
When only a few feet separated Dax and I from the passage, I turned, closing my eyes, and calling upon the merciless wind. My body burned as tendrils snaked down my arms, reaching all around me.
My power trembled, remembering the last time it had faced the crater’s wilderness and had almost lost.
“As you blow and hiss, protect the city and let us know if something’s amiss,” I chanted.
The tendrils spread out farther, slowly seeping into the air–but the wind latched onto them.
My knees buckled as it tried to pull me away, back toward its center. I gritted my teeth and dug my heels into the snow, calling my powers back.
My eyes popped open, only to find Ryker and Dax staring at me with worry.
“What was that?” Dax asked.
“Same thing as that night on the lake,” I muttered, placing a hand on my chest.
Ryker caught my gaze, a million different fears jumping between us.
“This crater’s greedy, too.” Dax scowled at the wilderness, unaware of the silent tension next to him. “Nothing personal, but I hope I’ll never step foot in you ever again.”
The wind howled harder against him.
“I’m going, I’m going.” He whirled toward the passage, fisted his palms, and gave me one last look. “See you on the other side.”
And just like that, he stepped forward and vanished.
I thumped my chest, willing my heart to quiet.
“Are you alright?” Ryker asked, stepping closer to me.
“I–I don’t know.” I tried to even out my breathing. I failed. “It tried to fight me again.”
The crater felt incensed I’d dared to call upon–like it had for Ryker when we’d left the city.
I curled my fingers, willing my hands to stop shaking. I was leaving this place, anyway–for long or forever, I didn’t know.
“We’ll calm it down when we return,” he said and it sounded like a question.
Wondering if I would want to return.
And I couldn’t answer that. Not now, when the crater’s bowels stared at me. “This passage–”
“It’s free of anything that could harm you,” he said softly.
It was the first real conversation we’d had in a long time, I hadn’t known how much I needed it.
“And I’ll be right by your side,” he went on, voice lulling.
My gaze jumped to his once more, like he was the courage I needed.
That’s why he’d stayed behind.
Not to oversee his warriors walking. To be by my side in case I needed it.
I would have cursed my own predictability if my heart didn’t suddenly thump with relief.
Damn him for knowing.
Damn me for needing.
“I appreciate that,” I muttered.
We turned toward the passage at the same time.
We didn’t reach for each other’s hands. The chasm between us was still too large. But we stood side by side, elbows touching. Feeling him by my side was enough.
Together, we stepped forward toward the darkness.
He vanished inside of it.
I hit a wall.
I recoiled, staring at the entrance.
It shimmered purple, taunting me.
Ryker reappeared a breath later, face sharper, eyes sparking dangerously. “What’s going on?”
“I–” I scratched at the passage and got only flecks of icy dirt for my troubles.
The light shimmered again.
My blood blazed.
No.
I pounded on the entrance, veins blazing.
Again.
And again.
The passage didn’t accept me, either.
Then Dax’s face popped out just as my fist fell down once more. Only this time, it hit him.
“Are you coming or–OW!” Dax’s hands flew to his nose. “What in Xamor’s name did you do that for?”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, staring at the passage in horror.
“What’s happening?” Dax asked, too fast, too sharp.
Ryker and I exchanged a twin stare of shock.
“The crater won’t let me leave.”