44. Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter forty-four
The sky-high, pale-green trunk I emerged from two nights ago is bathed in the pastel pinks of dawn.
Other than to reveal my discovery, I've barely exchanged two words with Zenn.
Convincing the others Mycelium was real proved impossible until I took him and Jeska back up to the section I'd already tested.
They couldn't see the light cast by the prism or the map, so I said nothing about the rest of the root tunnels.
Equally as bemusing, the rough sketch I'd made of the layout and access points was nothing but blank paper when I unfolded it. No external maps allowed, it seems. Regardless, this ancient transportation system will save Willa the pain of being carried all the way down the mountain. The color in her cheeks and longer stretches of consciousness make the hollowed out feeling I’m still dealing with completely worth it.
Now, here we are at daybreak, stretcher and all, everyone gaping into the dark as those stone platforms glide across the base of the tree and slowly drop away into the ground. "We're really doing this? Trusting this thing?" Drea asks incredulously, and I don't blame her. It is a daunting prospect.
"As reckless as it was, Alyxia used it herself then tested it with us yesterday, and it worked perfectly.
There were no signs of damage. Besides, I don't hear any crashing," Zenn replies dryly, sorting us and our gear. My sister and Jeska huff at his flippant response. Realistically, there's nothing to say; it’s not like we’re not going to take the risk.
"How are we going to get Lira on and the stretcher stable in such a short amount of time?
" Nav asks, looking concerned. "The platforms don't move quickly, but it's still too fast to get both of them situated.
" He's not thrilled about being separated from his partner for the journey down, but she's the best option to take care of Willa if anything happens while we're traveling, and three to a slab wouldn’t fit.
Without thinking, I duck my head inside the open panel and locate a small switch.
When I flick it, all slabs grind to an immediate halt.
While I may not question how I knew to do that, every face in the circle gapes with varying degrees of disbelief when I turn to ask who's going first. I have no explanation, so all I can do is act like everything's normal, even if my voice is a little high-pitched. "That's that solved, what's next?"
"Because that wasn't completely weird or anything," Hendrix jokes. "Got a magic button in there for light as well?"
"Let me check," I answer playfully, sticking my head back inside the now silent cavity and flicking another switch. To my amusement, small, glowing crystals light up around the outside of each slab, casting a soft, golden glow through the dark.
"How?" Drea breathes.
"No idea," I reply, trying to ignore their shock.
"Hey, if you're taking requests, how about a three course meal or bathing chamber facilities?" The humor from Hendrix eases some of the crackling tension.
"Guess who just confirmed he's going first," Zenn says. "Jes, you go with him, call back if there's anything we need to know." The two of them get sorted on the small platform, quickly disappearing with the flick of a switch.
Reaching for my pack, I unclip my bedroll so there'll be something to sit on other than cold stone. Zenn stops me. "We can use this one." He pulls his free and shakes it out. "Keep the good one clean."
"Oh, fucking spare me," Felix mutters. "Of course you're going together." He grabs his bag and moves to the entrance of the trunk. "I'm next. Who's with me?" He directs his question at his brother, refusing to look at either of us.
"You go with her if it's such a big deal," Zenn replies.
Felix shrugs. "Don't worry about it. I'll fly solo. Plenty of room to nap. Wouldn't want you two to be separated."
I flinch at his unnaturally chirpy tone and scowling face. "Can you give it a rest with the pointed comments and looks?” I hiss. “I know you have a complicated relationship, but I've had enough."
"Fine. Just don't come crying to me when he hurts you," Felix grunts, leaping onto the next platform and reaching back to flick the switch himself.
Raising his eyebrows at me, Zenn helps Nav get Lira and an unconscious Willa set up.
We watch them slowly slide out of view, Lira calling out confirmation they're ok to reassure Nav, who's quick to follow.
He and Drea must have agreed to travel separately.
Their attempts at conversation likely would've been more awkward than ours are about to be.
When it's only the two of us left, Zenn gives me a tentative half smile. "Are you ok going together so we can talk?"
"I guess so," I say, somewhat reluctantly, not sure how to feel at the prospect of hours in very close proximity to him right now.
His hands slip around my waist to keep me steady as I stretch and pull the switch down one last time.
I extricate myself from his grip as quickly as I can, we settle on the bedroll, and he immediately raises a sound shield.
Guess he was serious about talking. "Now, we just need coffee.
" My attempt at humor falls flat, and I twist the buckles of my pack, needing something to focus on, not sure this was a good idea.
"Aly, can you look at me?" Zenn leans forward to tip my chin up until I meet his stare. The fleeting touch sends a rush of warmth through me.
"I'm sorry for the way our last conversation went.
What you said about regretting what happened between us threw me.
I hate that you felt that way for even a second, so let me be clear.
This is my squad, meaning I'm responsible for everyone.
It was selfish to neglect my responsibilities to spend the day with you when Hendrix was injured, Xaavi just had his world torn away, and my sister was badly wounded and barely conscious.
But do I regret it? No, I don't. Does it stop me wanting to ignore all logic and reason so I can spend more time with you? Also no."
Well fuck, if that doesn't make me feel things I shouldn't. Damn butterflies. "And yet, you're still sending me home," I whisper, hating that the tremble in my voice has nothing to do with Bri or going to Orz.
He winces. "Not because I don't want you around. Traveling the Median while you're drained would be excruciating. And if, by some miracle, you made it to Orz and were discovered, gods know how you'd explain it."
Lacking the energy or inclination to argue, I nod, restlessly shifting to find a more comfortable position in a space not really big enough for both of us and our packs.
We travel in silence, watching the dark knots in the honey-colored wood as we glide past. Neither of us will change our minds, so there's little point in rehashing anything.
When I roll my neck and rearrange my legs for the third time, he stills my knee with a gentle hand. "Are you ok?"
"Fine. Just a little stiff from training yesterday." Can't say I'm going to miss that.
"If you want to call a truce, I can make you more comfortable in seconds. Promise you can go back to being mad at me later." Only the softness of his voice stops me pointing out that if he gets his way, we won't even have a later.
"How are you going to do that?"
"Is that a yes?"
A quiet laugh slips out. "Sure." Before I register what he intends to do, Zenn grabs my waist, spins me around, and tugs until I'm between his legs, back flush to his broad chest.
"Really? We're cuddling now?" I tease, feeling him smile against my ear.
"You were too far away. Now, you can rest. I'd do something about the knots in your shoulders if I thought you'd let me, but this will have to do.
" How the fuck does he know that would only stress me out more?
Insufferable man. When he bands an arm across my collarbone, I can't help it, I melt into him, savoring the warmth.
Five beats pulse a soothing rhythm through the left side of my chest, and the deep, contented breath he lets out makes me think this is a comfort for him too. The low sound and his intoxicating scent nearly dissolve the last shreds of willpower stopping me from turning around to kiss him.
This damn chemistry is as inconvenient as it is undeniable.
"Approaching daylight," Hendrix yells from somewhere below, hours later.
"No way are we off the mountain yet," Zenn mutters as we untangle and stretch.
Having seen the network map, I don't reply, grateful to have slept and taken the edge off my exhaustion before we kick off round two of the argument I'm anticipating.
He's up, pulling me to my feet as the platforms start to slow.
There's obviously a switch down here too, because we stop and start while the rest of the squad disembarks.
When we're out and my eyes adjust to the glare, I look around the wide-open snow-dusted slope, surrounded by immense, leafy green trees covered in red spiky flowers.
More beautiful than any scenery is the sight of my best friend propped up and swallowing a mouthful of tonic.
I rush to her side. "How are you feeling? "
"I've been better," she croaks, giving me a weak smile. "I hear I have you to thank for my new look?"
"Oh gods, I'm so sorry." We weren't able to speak much during the stretches she was awake yesterday, and we'd kept her newly white hair out of her face to avoid any shock.
Her soft laugh becomes a pained groan. "You should be. I can't believe you saved my life, twice. Worst friend ever."