Page 20 of Skyshade
She wanted to back out. Not just because of the danger, but because she wasn’t thrilled about having to be trapped with him for hours on end, in close quarters.
As much as she denied it, Grim was right. Her feelings told a different story than her mind. Logically, she knew she should hate him. She knew he was the enemy.
Her emotions were still tied to memories.
She pushed the feelings down. Buried them as far as they would go. They didn’t matter. They were only a distraction from her purpose.
They each carried supplies. The packs were small, to allow for easy movement. Water, food, and thin blankets were strapped to their backs. Swords and daggers were at their fronts. She wore her training clothes.
“Any warnings?” she asked, as they lingered at the entrance. It was a simple arch, leading into a single tunnel.
Grim looked at the dark passageway warily. He shook his head. “None that would do any good.”
And then they were plunged into darkness.
“We should have brought an orb,” she said, feeling around. They were less than ten steps up the path, and she couldn’t see in front of her anymore.
“I did during my climb,” Grim said. “It burnt out immediately. It was considered power, I suppose.” Great.
She felt around in the dark, looking for a ledge, only to drag her hand completely down Grim’s stomach. It was hard as marble, rippling with muscle. She snatched her hand back before she went any lower. “Sorry,” she said quietly.
Grim’s voice was deep and rattling, and too close for comfort. “Don’t apologize,” he said. “You can touch me wherever you like, wife.”
She rolled her eyes even though he couldn’t see it and blindly took a step forward, desperate to be as far away from him as possible. “Good to know, but irrelevant, as I don’t plan on it.”
“If you say so.”
“I do say so,” she hissed. She took another step that wasn’t actually there and lurched forward. Only Grim’s hands on her waist kept her from knocking her teeth in.
She stood very still, his breath right against her ear. “Careful. There are over a thousand steps to go. I can carry you, if you’d like.” His tone was almost mocking.
With one of her senses muted, she focused on the others. Grim’s voice, echoing through the tunnel, deep and scraping against some aching part of her. His cold, muscled body behind her back. His large hands still on her waist, fingers gripping her hips.
Isla placed her hands on Grim’s and felt him stiffen.
Then, she shoved away from him.
She took it slow. The steps were uneven, so she felt each one with the tip of her foot before advancing. It was a long process. By the time a pocket of light appeared in front of them, they had been climbing for hours.
In the ceiling, bits of crystal glowed, creating a trail through the tunnels. Still, her eyes strained with effort in the limited light. Her calves began to burn.
Isla put down her pack and sank to the floor. “How far are we?”
“Not even a fifth of the way up.”
She groaned. The prophet-order better be worth it. He handed her water, and she took a long sip. The tunnels were full of dust that dried her lips and tongue.
“We’re lucky we haven’t come across any creatures. I’d had at least two encounters by this point when I last was here.”
A clicking noise echoed somewhere far away. It could have been anything. Vermin. Shifting rocks.
Then, it got louder.
Grim began to pack his bag once more. “Spoke too soon.” He looked up at her. “Have enough water?”
She nodded. He took the pouch from her. “Good. Now run.”
Clicking filled the tunnels. Their steps scraped against the stone floor as they ran, side by side, dust kicking up around them. They hurtled around each corner, her hand dragging along the rough wall as she turned. At the last one, she dared look over her shoulder.
