Page 84 of Stealing the Star Stone
Something about her expression triggered a vision.Nova in a white gown flashed across his mind.She was admiring herself in a mirror, joy in the bloom on her cheeks.The ceremony came into focus, the guests few, but the man waiting at the altar seemed familiar.
Eli caught her hand, stopping her from moving away.
“What is it?”she asked, peering into his eyes.
“Seth… Did he have a mole on the top of his cheek?”
She blinked then a slow smile formed.“He wanted to have it remove.Why do you ask?”
“Y’know, memories,” he said.
When she opened her mouth, no doubt to ask him a question or two, he ushered her toward Zal, who held out the star stone.
“Thanks for the escort, Zal,” she said, taking the time to check the weapons were loaded while Eli shoved the stone into the bag on her back.
Zal gave her a tight bow.“May Lethaar guide you.”
They followed the trail, clear in the moonlight.The air was crisp, summoning a shiver or it could be from the gaping entrance ahead.He pulled his coat tighter.A craving for tea struck, and he swallowed, blaming the chill.Something hot in his belly wouldn’t go amiss.
Movement drew his attention.Nova had half-emptied a bottle of water.At that rate, she’d need to pee soon.He grinned.Easier for her than for him.He’d just learned how to squat and not drench his feet, but accidents still happened.If they didn’t find a stone, he’d have plenty of time to get better at it.
The pathway dipped, carrying them into shadows lined with black pillars and thousands of glowing names.He stroked one, wishing Zal had come with to explain their significance.
The wind ceased.The chirping and whirring of insects calmed, almost as if the surroundings took a breath.He peered over his shoulder, casting one last glance at the scattered submoon.
Lord, please let this be the last adventure.
He faced forward and scurried after Nova who’d created too much distance between them.The darkness engulfed him, forcing him to blink to adjust his vision.When her form appeared, he realized she’d stopped.
“What is it?”he asked, pausing behind her.
Before her gaped a chasm with nothing more than a rotten rope-bridge.One anchor had broken free from the rocky wall.
“Can we jump it?”He knew the answer to that without having her confirm it.Maybe in his old body he might have made it.“I’ll go across first,” he offered.
Tightrope walking, balancing on window ledges, on the backs of horses, hovers, or antique motorcycles were all part of his skill sets as an actor.
“Whether you go first or I do makes no difference.I’mnotcrossing that.”
He studied her face in the blue flickering light of the torches.Her eyes were wide, her lips pinched.
“We have to try.”He grabbed her by the hips and tugged her back.“Take the bag.Toss it over when I reach the other side.”
“Eli.”She caught his hand.“Please… Be careful.”
He flashed her a smirk.“I’m lighter than you, so this should be easy.Want me to go ahead and see what else is waiting for us?”
“No,” she said, lifting her chin.“Let’s tackle this one hurdle at a time.”
“I could throw you across,” he teased.
“Don’t you dare,” she snapped.“Neanderthal.”Her lips twitched with a suppressed smile.
“Okay, here goes.”He wrapped his fingers around the thick rope that formed the railing.It had a decent heftiness to it.Then with a careful step, he placed one foot on the braided rope that formed the spine of the bridge at the base of a ‘V.’
It creaked under his weight.He sucked in a breath, took another wobbly step, then exhaled when the rope held.His other hand he stretched out in a stupid attempt to help balance better.
Nova stayed silent, probably holding her breath.He grinned, finding her too adorable for words.Inch by inch, he crossed.Midway, he peered past his feet to the chasm below, half expecting giant alligators to be snapping in eagerness.Instead, he caught glimpses of frothy waves hitting boulders.
