Page 85 of Stealing the Star Stone
The nearer he got to the other side, the more he wished he had another railing to cling to.The bridge had taken to swaying.Perhaps he was moving too fast?But he didn’t want to slow, not when he was almost there.
He touched down on the stone ledge and let the tension ease from his shoulders.“Right, Nova-honey, your turn.”
She blinked at him while running her palms up and down her thighs.“I don’t know, Eli.”
“You only have to do this twice in your life then never again.”
“Twice?”she squeaked.
“Yeah, once to the stone then back to Zal.”He beckoned at her.“Come.You’re in my body and stronger than you realize.If the rope breaks, just hold on and I’ll pull you up.”
She harumphed.“So not helpful.”And yet, she grasped onto the railing.
“Don’t look down.Keep your focus on me and your feet.”
She placed her foot with care.The rope creaked but didn’t groan.When she took another step, he praised her, offering her words of encouragement, though if later questioned, he wouldn’t be able to state what he’d said.
What mattered now were the right sounds.Still, at midway, she halted and did as he had, staring at the bottom and at what awaited any poor soul who fell.
“I can’t do this,” she whined, her body stiff.She’d twisted to grip the railing with both hands.
“Nova,” he said, “Take one more for me.Please.Just one more.”
She met his gaze and wormed forward.Not quite what he’d meant, but she’d made progress.
“Another,” he said.
Little by little, she drew closer.If he reached out, he could brush her outstretched fingers.When she realized she was almost across, excitement threw caution to the winds and she made too large a movement forward, sending the bridge rocking.She screamed and lunged, landing on the ledge in an undignified sprawl.
“Not a word to anyone, Thorne,” she mumbled, staggering to her feet.
“You did so well,” he crooned, giving her a tight hug.“Now hand me the—” He gaped at the bag sitting on the other end.“Shit.”
“I’m so sorry,” she moaned.“And weneedit.The stone’s inside.”
“I’ll get it,” he said, holding his hand to the railing in an attempt to slow its violent movement.Back he went, choosing to focus rather than to rush and be reckless.But with the bag on his arm, his balance was off.Returning to her took more control and patience.
He shot glances at Nova.Her face was pale.Concern showed in her wringing hands and shallow breathing.He took comfort from it, that she cared.When he was a few feet away, he tossed the bag to her, letting out a sigh when she caught it midair.The last few yards were easier, and he made it to the ledge without the bridge offering too much complaint.
She hugged him then, something he’d always cherish.It wasn’t coerced or forced, but her choice.He buried his face in her chest, but too soon, she pulled away.
“One problem at a time, right?”Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, but before he could ask her about it, she marched down the narrow tunnel toward the blue light.
The next chamber was blindingly well-lit.Pictograms lined the walls, and he somehow sensed they were older than the names at the entrance.They told stories with stones at the center of them all.The scenes had a whole submoon and not the shattered one.
“Look at the floor,” she said, her feet almost touching squares carved with more pictograms.He recognized none of them.“I suspect these are trapped.If you don’t know the word or legend, you can’t cross.”She knelt and tapped the closest one with the carved shape of a yuxmet.The tile crumbled and fell into a black void similar to the bottom of the chasm.“Yes, to our doom.”She squeezed his thigh, using it as leverage to climb to her feet.
“Maybe the wall paintings will give us a clue.”He read the nearest one, trying to unravel its mystery.
“Or we can use the path.”She rested her hands on her hips and grinned at him.“See where they’re worn from frequent crossings?”
Sure enough, a zig-zag of shiny stones showed the way.
Buzzing with excitement, he kissed her temple.“Has anyone told you that you’re a genius?”
She laughed.“Not lately.”Her giggling trailed her as she leaped from tile to tile, the rifle smacking her butt.
He went slower, weighed down with the bag.Each step he took, he held his breath, then released it when the stone stayed underfoot.“Why can’t things be easier?”he asked when he joined her on the other side.“Why the traps, the danger?I get it, these are tombs, but I haven’t seen treasure to warrant this much security.”
