Page 53 of Beneath the Flames
Stop.
Forcing the thought from my mind, I stalked back to the table to finish my food.For a second, Maren just stared at me, watching me from across the room as I shoved a piece of fruit in my mouth.I wasn’t sure where Nico had found it, considering most of the fruit trees in Eroth had withered long ago, and I had told him not to portal to the other kingdoms for a while until the queens and Carrow settled down.
Maren must have deemed it safe to return to the table because her chair groaned against the floor as she pulled it out and sat.
Tension lingered in the air like the heavy feeling before a thunderstorm.My fork scraped against the plate, but I waited, knowing she’d start asking more annoying questions soonenough.
“So when do I climb a volcano?”she finally asked.
I didn’t bother to look at her as I said, “Nico is looking for proper attire for you to wear and then we’ll leave.”
She hesitated, then asked, “How dangerous is this task?What are the chances I will die?”
“Everything in Eroth is dangerous for a human.Outside of these walls, your chance of perishing goes up exponentially.”
“But why?”
“Remember the lava you saw when you first arrived?”She nodded.“They’re called the Scorching Rivers and they have a mind of their own.They’re constantly searching for life to devour, especially since there’s nothing for them to feast on in a dead land.You’re protected inside the castle grounds, where my magic keeps the lava at bay.Outside these walls, if they sense you, they will relentlessly search for you.”
My Fae hearing picked up the quickening of her heartbeat, the pulse of terror that accompanied it.
“How am I supposed to climb a volcano then?”she asked.
A valid question.
I laid a hand on my chest.“That’s what you have me for.”
“I’m supposed to believe that you’re going to protect me?How do I know you won’t just toss me into the lava to be rid of me?”
“I could do that,” I admitted.“But then who would try to break the curse on Eroth?”I didn’t add,Who would free me?
Maren considered that for a moment.
“So I’m supposed to trust that you won’t kill me while I risk my life for you?”
“I don’t want to kill you.”The words were out before I thought about them and was surprised to find that they were the truth.I wasn’t sure if that was because she was the lastchance of breaking the chains on Eroth or if it was because of another reason.
Ofcourse it’s not another reason.Don’t be stupid.
“Fine,” she sighed.“I’m ready when you are.”
Just then, Nico arrived in the Hall of Feasts, carrying a towering pile of clothes that covered his face.I bit back a chuckle at the sight.
I looked at Maren and nodded toward Nico.
No time like the present.
“How about now?”
My bones shook so violently they were going to rattle right out of my skin.
The wordswinter tundradid not do Eroth justice.Despite the lava on the volcanoes surrounding the valley, the ground was rock hard from the bitter cold.Ice crunched beneath my heavy footfalls, and even though there was no snow in this valley, it felt like I was sloughing through feet of it.It was a huge effort trying to muster the strength to lift my legs over and over.It was the kind of cold that seeped every bit of energy from your muscles until there was no feeling left at all.
I wasn’t sure how long it had been since we left the castle—it had to have been hours—but I still didn’t understand how the moons worked, so I had no way of knowing exactly how long it had been.Rhydian and his unhelpful attitude led the way, carefully guiding us toward the tallest mountain near the end of the valley.It shouldn’t have surprised me to find out it was thelargest one.After all, why wouldn’t it be?Breaking a curse wasn’tsupposedto be easy.
The air clouded as I exhaled a shivering breath, forcing my feet forward.Even with the thick leggings and socks, giant boots, and the heaviest coat I’d ever worn, I still couldn’t stop shaking.
“Is it always this cold?”I asked.
