Page 63 of The Sea Witch
“V-e-i-lnotv-a-l-e,” they said in unison.
“The water forms a veil,” he exclaimed, “and behind that...”
“We might find the fail-safe.”
She looked at the waterfall. A shadow loomed behind the cascade of water, a large dark hollow midway between the rocks at the base and the top of the cliff. It appeared to be about twenty feet wide and ten feet high.
“A cave.” She tugged on Ben’s sleeve and pointed. “There, in the stone behind the waterfall.”
“Damn—I missed it before.”
“The water keeps it hidden. We’ll climb to it.”
They approached the rocky cliff next to the waterfall. Alys gripped a boulder and pulled herself up. She wedged her boots into the stone to give her more force moving upward. Beside her, Ben did the same. They were silent as they climbed, slowly ascending. Sun-warmed rocks dug into her hands, but her palms were callused, her fingers strong, and she held tightly as she went up.
They climbed for what seemed like forever, nearly a distance of a hundred feet. At last, they were perpendicular to the floor of the cave. There was a slim gap between the cliff and the water plummeting downward, just enough to sidle through toward the cave—if they were careful. Yet the rocks were damp and would prove hard to hold onto, and if they got caught in the waterfall, they’d be pulled off the cliff and dashed against the boulders below.
Her magic guttered like a candle. If either she or Ben fell, she had no power left to stop them from falling.
After taking a steadying breath, she edged sidewise. Her fingers clutched at the rocks made slick from the spray. She pushed down hard with her boots on the footholds to keep from slipping. The waterfall’s roar drowned out all other sound, filling her head with thunder. She kept her focus on the stones and handholds directly beside her as she sidled toward the cave.
Alys chanced a quick glance to make sure Ben was still beside her. His face was set in concentration, his hands splayed upon the rocks. His gaze caught hers and he gave a brief nod.
She continued on. The waterfall now bellowed behind her, cool and ravenous. She pulled herself tightly against the cliffside.
Finally, her fingers felt the edge of the cave’s opening. She held her breath as she climbed the last remaining feet before clambering in. At last, she was inside the cave.
She sat heavily, then scrambled back to give Ben room. Once his hand appeared around the lip of the rock, she exhaled, but only when he was fully inside did she allow herself to breathe easier.
He splayed on the ground, spread-eagle, his chest rising and falling with great heaving gulps of air. Alys crawled until she was right beside him. Her hair hung in long wet strands around her face.
He turned to look at her, and they stared at one another, both panting. Their breath mingled in the small space between them.
“Not as... adept with cliffs... as I am with rigging,” he gasped.
“A fair showing, all the same.”
“From both of us.”
A tiny smile played about his lips, and she couldn’t help herself from smiling back. But then their smiles fell away. All she had to do was move her body slightly and she could stretch herself atop him. His clothing, like hers, was soaked. They would be able to feel every muscle and curve.
Her regard flicked down the length of him. His breeches clung to the taut lines of his thighs.
She dragged her gaze back to his eyes, burning sharp blue even in the shadows of the cave. He levered himself up on his elbows and reached for her.
Alys never considered herself a coward. Not until that moment.
She lurched to her feet. Then turned her attention to the cave, created by years of water wearing away at the rock. In the dim interior, the craggy surfaces were slick from mist that was flung from the water. It was a space perhaps fifteen feet deep. At first quick glance, it seemed bare of anything resembling what might serve as a fail-safe. No enchanted objects, no chests holding scrolls with spells. The cavern echoed with the constant roar from the crashing water at the opening.
A fascinating space. Not nearly as fascinating as the man behind her. Yet she couldn’t turn back to him. Couldn’t finish what every part of her wanted.
“No fail-safe anywhere,” he yelled above the noise.
She glanced in his direction. He’d gotten to his feet and also studied the cave. Thank the stars he hadn’t tried to hold her again. Because she just might have let him.
“It could be hidden,” she suggested. “Buried.”
He slapped his hand against the walls. “Solid stone. It’s as you said. There’s nothing to be found here except Little George’s idea of a joke.”
