Chapter 24 #2
“I’ve found an opening, but we need to dig it out to climb inside.” Vicious studied Rage, the two still sparring over almost everything, but I could see clear and easy friendship. The two would die for each other. Wrath would die for them as well.
One day I hoped I’d find such a friendship.
We were all somewhat crazy, a little bit excited and freezing to death. Except for Rage. He didn’t seem in the least bit fazed by what was happening, merely adding his brawn to the effort.
It was like watching a chiseled god, a man so perfect he made my heart sing. Strong arms. Muscular legs. He had an axe in his hand, chipping away at the snow and ice even as soft pellets of white continued to fall.
I could tell he was angry. With the storm. With his friends. With me. With the monster who’d killed his family and whom he hadn’t been able to beat when given a chance. But mostly with himself.
Swing after swing, he released the demons he was harboring inside, his entire face pinched from fury and the effort needed.
I did my best to pull my weight, laughing when I slipped on the ice. And there he was, hoisting me into his arms and checking to see if I’d injured myself. In a crazy way, the moment was almost magical.
Even if I could no longer feel my fingers.
I don’t know what I’d expected seeing the Verndari as they worked together, but they were so skilled, so protective, and full of such camaraderie that I was in awe of them.
A clang and Vicious whistled. “I think we’re in. Give me one of the lights. I’ll check it out.” The hole was maybe three by three feet and while I moved closer, Rage backed away.
Vicious didn’t waste any time, crawling through the opening and disappearing.
Wrath crouched in front, holding another light stick. He coughed several times from dust disturbed, even wiping his eyes. But to him, this was just another adventure. Another mission to be accomplished.
I backed against Rage, leaning in and peering up at his face. He wasn’t even shivering, which was ridiculous. “We’re going to be okay.” My teeth were chattering, the debilitating chill obvious in my voice.
The way he sighed was a clear indication he was no longer certain that was possible, but at least he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. He brushed snow from his glove before rubbing the thick fabric fingers across my face.
“We shall see, princess. We shall see.”
As he lowered his head until our lips were almost touching, I wished we were back in the bedroom of the house, enjoying exploring the passion that was so intense. It was possible we’d never get another chance. But at least I’d have amazing memories to last me for as long as I remained alive.
“I think I love you,” I whispered and almost instantly, it was as if my voice had carried. There was silence, only the wind whistling.
Rage lifted his gaze, but only briefly before brushing his icy lips across mine. “I love you too.”
“Fucking about time,” Wrath muttered.
“Alright, guys. Nothing fancy and you’ll have to deal with a few bones here and there, but it’s dry and surprisingly warm. Wrath, why don’t you get Wren and the pup?” Vicious’ voice was strong and clear, and I honestly didn’t care what he had to say.
Feeling the closeness with Rage, hearing how he felt about me was strengthening. But he pushed away, offering a slight smile.
“I’ll wait for Wren to ensure she’s okay. Go inside.”
Nodding, I took a couple of steps away from him, taking a glance at the sky. Maybe I could finally feel a little hope after all. The sky appeared to be clearing.
Supplies were brought, Wren placed in my arms only moments later.
I could feel the same tension from Rage as he moved around the opening, checking for what I wasn’t certain.
With the opening just inside prior to the tunnel, one of the Verndari would remain to ensure we weren’t attacked.
Everything was in place, a safe space for a single night.
Tomorrow and the days afterward would need to take care of themselves.
“Go on, sweetie. I’ll be right there.” I rubbed her skin, eager to start a fire. That was if I could control my abilities and not engulf the entire cavern.
Wren and Jake made a game out of crawling through the tunnel, the snow and ice barely hindering either one. Blade, Wizard, and Ghost were already inside.
Wrath and Vicious waited, nodding for us to slide inside.
“Go on,” Rage told me. “I’ll be right there.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Fine. Just checking the perimeter.”
I pulled on his arm. “Which you’ve done several times.”
He wasn’t in the mood for any criticism, also nodding toward the cave. “Go.”
“Why, yes, sir.” I was uncertain why he was being so hardheaded, but I moved inside, dropping onto all fours.
The tunnel wasn’t long and certainly large enough for any sized man to crawl through, but I was glad when I’d reached the other side.
Lights were already creating a glow, and I noticed the bones Vicious had mentioned, momentarily wondering if the great beasts had suffered like everyone else.
“Do you think you can start a fire?” Blade asked. “I put some wood together. I figured we wouldn’t die of carbon monoxide poisoning. There’s air flow coming from somewhere inside the damn cave. I’ll be glad when we’re out of here.”
“I can try.” I removed my gloves, blowing on my hands as I tried to think about how I’d started the fire the night before.
Honestly, I hadn’t needed to think about what I was doing.
I’d been angry, but more than that, I’d been annoyed that our happy haven and limited time together had been interrupted.
Plus, I’d been enjoying my first amazing night’s sleep in as long as I could remember.
With a hot warrior by my side.
Maybe the key was harnessing that annoyance all over again.
“Well, shit,” Vicious said as soon as he crawled into the larger opening.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, noticing he was rubbing his hand.
“I managed to cut myself. It’ll be alright.”
I’d learn to expect the unexpected with Wren and at this point, I wasn’t going to stop her from healing his injury. While some might suggest her full purpose had yet to be recognized, I knew why she’d been sent to me.