He held his breath when she froze, the entire universe stilling around them.
She flung her arms out and power surged away from her, the violent gale ripping through the shadows and fog until they were nothing. Infinite stars followed the currents, spreading up and out, hanging in the air and illuminating the empty floor of the chasm in every direction.
“As I said, nothing to see.”
There was no missing the forced lightness in her tone, the breathy huff that wasn’t doing anything to cover her trembling hands and refusal to meet his eyes.
“Hmm. From where I’m standing, there’s plenty to see.”
Ah, now she looked at him, gaze wild. “Such as?”
Lucky for him, she wasn’t used to this form. Didn’t expect him to rise to her challenge.
“The mystery gets old. You have enough power to level me. I know it, you know it. Can we please stop the act and move on?”
She was worthy, his true equal, and pride overflowed with every word.
Luna blinked. “I have no idea what you mean.”
He buried his laugh, not so awestruck that he’d forgotten their shite surroundings. “Lies do not become you, little moon. Nor does false modesty or diminishing yourself to go unnoticed. Do you not tire of the charade? I’m exhausted just thinking about it.”
She gaped. “I’m not… I don’t…”
Brand narrowed his gaze down at her, daring her to finish any one of the ridiculous sentences she was concocting.
She finally settled on, “We don’t have time for this.”
“Hiding behind an undeniable truth? Clever.”
Even if it did get under his skin, just a little, that she refused to trust him. That they might die, and he’d spend his last hours wondering, never knowing her truths or the future he wanted to give her.Even then… she was still bloody clever. He’d give her that.
Scanning the ground, he looked for anything that would tell them which direction to go, one ear waiting for the next shout or cry or bellow. Any sound at all.
Maybe ten yards off was a jagged disturbance in the otherwise smooth landscape. “Come.”
“That… that’s it?” She was breathless, her words asking far deeper questions than it seemed, practically running to keep up with his long strides.
He tempered his speed, agonizing though it was. “Faldir needs our help more than I need my answers. I’ll get them soon enough.”
Sweet and merciful Sisters, let him be alive enough to help.
They came upon the lengthy divot, just like the ones above, blood dotting the dust around it.
“This is the way. Still not feeling any life?”
She was clearly at a loss, staring at him for a long moment while she chewed her lip. “No,” she whispered. “Nothing.”
And it had been the longest span of time since the last they’d heard Fal, the silence weighing heavier because of it.
“Then he is either dead, or too far away.”
Her head jerked back. “You say it so matter of factly.”
“Itisa matter of fact.” Despite the hollow ache it opened in his chest. “Will you let me carry you, now? I can move much faster than you can.”
“Whoareyou?” she rasped, leaning forward as if it would help her understand.
“I am as I have ever been, without the faults of my lesser self.May I please pick you up?”
