Page 53 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“Where are you?” she called again.

Again, the only answer was that of the wind whipping through her and whistling over the rock. She took a tentative step and then another toward the place he had seemingly disappeared into with her heart in her throat. She envisioned all sorts of terrible things happening to him. Like being captured by the queen’s men or attacked by some silent, shadowy creature.

“Nicholas?” she called again, this time louder as she made her way closer to what he suggested was a small cave.

Indeed, it did look to be a narrow opening in the rock. But did she dare go inside there? She clutched her elbows, hugging herself tight. Her legs trembled as she forced herself to take another tentative step. The darkness seemed to close in around her like a suffocating shroud, amplifying the sense of impending danger. A cold sweat broke out across her brow as a chill ran down her spine, sending shivers through her. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from that foreboding spot ahead.

Suddenly, a form burst from the small opening. She cried out, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. Her heart thundered in her ears. Then she realized it was Nicholas and blew out a breath. It plumed around her frozen face. He skidded to a halt when he saw her.

“Ella!” He hurried to her gripping her by the shoulders. “You won’t believe it. Come.”

“What is it? What did you find?”

He wrapped an arm around her. “Watch your step. The ground is uneven at first, but then smooths out.”

He clutched her to him, helping her navigate the rocky terrain. She stared down at her feet as they walked. She stumbled once, but his strong form was there to keep her steady. He was also right that the ground smoothed out, as though someone had spent an inordinate amount of time on their hands and knees polishing the ground until it was perfect.

“Ella, look.” His voice was nothing but a whisper.

She looked ahead and saw the path had indeed smoothed out and was as though it were man-made leading to an opening. He led her to it and they paused, remaining in the shadows as she looked out to see a winding path around the cliff, down onto a what appeared to be a stone bridge leading to the dark and terrible fortress on the other side. The only catch was there didn’t appear to be a door there. A walkway with a high wall encircled the base of the fortress.

The fortress itself looked as though it had been carved from the mountaintop. It was difficult to make out where the fortress stopped and the mountain started. There were numerous windows up and down it and all of them were lit with a pale-yellow glow as if the inhabitants never slept. The one turret reached high into the night sky. If there were archers on the first mountain pass, she was certain there were others waiting for them along the walls of the fortress.

“I don’t believe it,” she whispered.

“We wind our way down the cliff and to that bridge, then follow the walkway until we find a way in,” he said.

“What about guards?” she asked. “Won’t there be some guarding along the walls?”

“Possibly,” he said. “That’s why you’re going to stay here while I find out.”

“You’re going to leave me here?” Her heart soared into her throat.

“You’ll be safe here and I’ll be right back.” He started to go, but she grabbed him by the arm.

“What if you don’t? What do I do?” she asked.

He gave her a half grin, the corner of his mouth lifting. Then he brushed the back of his gloved hand over her cheek, the cold leather leaving a trail. “Don’t worry. Iwillreturn.”

“But what if you don’t?” she demanded, trying to ignore the worry gnawing at her.

“Then you’ll go back the way we came and find Gustav.”

The thought of descending that steep staircase all alone made her gut clench into a tight knot. She gripped his arm tighter, pulling him a little closer, their noses nearly touching.

“You better come back for me.”

With his face so close to hers, she saw his features soften despite the shadows. “I’ll come for you. I promise.”

Then he sealed his promise with a kiss. It surprised her so much she wasn’t sure how to react. Despite the cold, his mouth was warm and wonderful against hers. His lips soft and gentle and sweet. A wild swirl of emotions whirled through her.

When he pulled away, he whispered. “Stay right here.”

And then he was gone into the night.

Chapter 19

Nicholasheadeddownthepath, the steep decline making it hard on his legs. He tried to keep his steps quiet so as not to alert any guards, but there didn’t appear to be any on the back of the fortress. And why would there be? Most invaders would come from the front of the fortress which faced the south.

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