Page 78 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“Promise you what? That I won’t punish my soldiers when they disrespect you? That’s a promise I refuse to make, Em.” His smile faded, and the look he gave me told me I would find no give from him. I threw my arms out in frustration.

“You almost killed him. Promise me you won’t kill one of your soldiers over me.”

“Fine. Unless they put you in danger.”

“Intentionaldanger. I don’t want you killing anyone over an accident either.” I knew how his mind worked, and I knew he’d keep his word to the letter. He pursed his lips as he studied me, and his eyebrows knitted for a second. He could tell this was important to me.

“Fine.” He exhaled, like he was giving into the most absurd request.

“Fine, what?”

“Fine, I promise I won’t kill one of my soldiers unless they put you in harm's way intentionally.” I smiled and walked past him, continuing toward the cliff.

“You can be a real nuisance, you know,” he grumbled from behind me.

“I know.” I threw a grin over my shoulder, hoping it would ease his frustration. I stopped walking when we got to the base of the cliff.

“I’m not jumping in the lake if that’s what you want.” He chuckled and stood close behind me, one hand on my hip and the other reaching over me to point. I resisted the urge to heal his stupid knuckles.

“See that dark spot?”

“Not really.” I squinted, and he laughed.

“Some of the soldiers were exploring last night and found something interesting, and I’d like to show you.”

“What is it?” I was wary. A black spot on the side of a cliff was foreboding.

“It’s a cavern, but there’s an opening from above.” He rushed out the second half of the sentence. My body must have stiffened in reaction. I shook my head before Rainier gently turned me to face him. “Em, it’s beautiful. I thought—I can leave the rift open. It might be a good way to—”

“Rain, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” The thought of going into a cave sent goosebumps racing across my body. I started shaking inside my cloak, and he noticed, rubbing his hands down my arms.

“It’s alright, I understand.” He pulled me close to him, hugging me to his body, a hand cupped around my head until the momentary panic had passed. A stark opposition to the man who nearly just bashed someone’s head in. When he felt me still, he leaned back, a hand on each of my arms.

“What if I make a rift, and we just sit here and look? Would that be something you could handle?” I smiled up at him, struck by the thoughtfulness, and I felt a tightening in my chest. How was this the same man?

“Yes, I think I could handle that.” His answering smile was the sun and all of the stars.

He took a few steps away from me, positioning the rift so we could sit on the rocks. He opened it, and I saw sunlight and a thin stream of water pouring down. I felt pulled to walk closer. I stood behind Rainier, leaning around him to peek into the rift.

The cavern was huge, at least a hundred meters tall, the only light filtering down from above. It narrowed at the far end, where it was much darker, and I could just make out a tunnel leading farther into the black. I attempted to inspect the opening of the cave, where the sunlight streamed in, but the angle of the rift prevented me from seeing it. It filtered down, illuminating dust in the air, shining upon a small pond of water, filled by what fell from above alongside the light. The water was a pale blue, almost the color of silver. A small stream led somewhere, behind where the rift was placed, so I couldn’t quite tell where.

“It’s beautiful.” I breathed. I still stood behind him, leaning past to peer into the space. It reminded me of the place we’d discovered all those years ago, where we’d both explored and gotten lost in so many ways, and I was sure he shared the same memories. The cavern from my thoughts had access to the sea, the wind and waves crashing nearby, sending echoes throughout. This one was decidedly quieter, serene, but just as awe-inspiring. I felt my power within me pool and begin to thrum lightly, in a way I could only describe as excitement. Something that felt almost like a string of yarn spooled between this place and my divinity, pulling me closer if only I’d let it.

Rainier reached back, grasping my hand.

“The pond has moonfish.” I could tell he was smiling when he said it.

“Liar!” Moonfish were incredibly rare, and I’d never seen one. Their presence was rumored to mean the area was god-touched, but I wasn’t sure if I believed it.

“I’m not; there are hundreds. Do you want me to bring you one for proof?” He let go of my hand and took a step forward.

“No!” I grabbed his hand, pulling him back. I didn’t want to hurt one to prove it to me. The only way I’d see one was if I walked inside, and I wasn’t sure I could, even though I wanted to. It was strange to feel pulled like that, toward a place so like another, yet so different, the main feature in some of my worst memories. I stood there for a while, watching the water fall, the trickle echoing like the familiar sounds of my nightmares. It didn’t bother me as much in the daylight, but I still didn’t like it.

“How long can you keep the rift open?” I squeezed his hand in mine, and he brushed his thumb over the crook between my own thumb and pointer finger.

“As long as you want. I do suspect the guard will be ready to leave soon, though.” I nodded, taking a step out from behind him to stand next to him instead. I started thinking of the cellar. I’d been able to go down there, and I came out again. I didn’t get stuck. I was standing outside, perfectly free.

“Where is the entrance your soldiers found?” If Rainier’s rift failed, there had to be another way out.

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