He pulled me forward, but we had to walk somewhat sideways to stay connected without rubbing against the uneven walls of the tunnel. Dirt and pebbles crumbled over my shoulders. The earth could swallow us whole down here. I doubted even the gods would find our souls in this pit.
I bit my lip and slid my arm through Aiden’s grasp until my hand gripped his.
His steps faltered for a moment before moving faster. But he didn’t let go of me.
“Why did you reveal what you knew?” he asked suddenly. “You could have said you had no idea where we were, where the tunnel might be.”
“Because I have no reason to lie,” I whispered. “I want you to know what sort of person you’re dealing with. Just as I wish to know you.”
“There is no need. We may not live long enough for it to matter, as you said last night.”
“That was in a prison cell. We’re free now. We could get rich and never spend another moment in dark holes as we’ve been in the last day.”
His fingers twitched in mine. “There are darker places than this.”
“Where—”
“We’re here,” he cut me off. “Five steps up.” I followed him.
There was some scuffling and a quick curse from Aiden.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered.
“It’s stuck.” More heaving and grunting.
Something landed on my shoulder and started crawling up my neck. I yelped and batted it away. “What was that? A spider? Holy Four, open the gods-damn door!”
“It’s gone,” Aiden rasped. “You’re fine as long as it’s not a black moss spider.”
My fingers itched to rip off the scarf, Aiden’s secrets bedamned. I crowded up against him, desperate to get out of this spider-infested tunnel. Something crashed, and I was jerked forward. For a moment, I was falling, still clutching Aiden’s hand. I felt him twist, and we landed in a heap, my body splayed over his.
My blindfold came loose.
Chapter 10
Kiera
Startled green eyesblinked at me. My sore ribs protested at being crushed against Aiden’s hard stomach.
A low whistle sounded. Instinctively, I turned to look, but Aiden caught my chin, forcing me to keep looking at him. My breathing grew ragged. Slowly, he lowered the scarf back over my eyes.
“Maz,” he growled, “quit gawking and shut the door.”
Maz chuckled, and his heavy footsteps trailed by. “What can I say, you two put on a good show. The blindfold is a particularly nice touch. What was the shrieking about?”
“An ill-timed spider attack,” Aiden answered, a hint of mirth in his voice.
Cheeks warming, I quickly rolled off him, landing on a plush rug. The musty smell of the tunnel faded under the scent of melted wax and rose petals. It vaguely reminded me of Renwell—a thought that sent a rush of vigilance through my veins. I swayed to my feet.
“Not so fast,” Aiden said, grabbing my biceps. He turned me in a few circles. “Now you can take off the blindfold.”
I peeled the scarf away and stuffed it in my pocket, blinking in the soft candlelight. A large sitting room slowly came intofocus. A gold chandelier wreathed in fat candles. Thick crimson rugs over a gleaming wood floor. Wall tapestries stitched with stories too small to decipher.
Low couches draped in silks and furs were strewn around the room. Maz lounged in one, looking as though he’d never gotten up. Aiden stood, watching me, by a slender table cluttered with glass decanters.
Where was the door we had come through?
I spun in another, slower circle but found no sign of one. It must be behind one of the many tapestries.
