Rhyland's hands close around my waist, his grip firm and sure as he pulls me from the rope and the yawning chasm. I collapse against him, my arms wrapping around his neck in a desperate, clinging embrace.
I'm shaking like a leaf, my heart racing so fast. I bury my face in the crook of Rhyland's neck, breathing in his familiar scent, letting it ground me and chase away the lingering tendrils of fear.
"It's okay, baby," he murmurs, his arms tightening around me, holding me close. "I've got you. You did it."
And I did. I really did. I faced my fears, stared death in the face, and somehow, miraculously, came out the other side unscathed.
But even as relief washes over me in dizzying waves, I can't shake the memory of Rhyland dangling over that chasm, his life hanging by a thread. The thought of losing him, of watching him be swallowed alive by the darkness, is enough to make my blood run cold and my stomach twist with nausea.
I know he can heal with his vampire abilities, but how the hell do I know what is down there in that bottomless pit?
I cling to him even tighter, as though I can somehow anchor him to me, keep him safe through sheer force of will alone. Because the truth is, I don't know what I would do without him. He's my rock, my guiding light, the one constant in a world that seems hell-bent on throwing us curveball after curveball.
Behind us, I hear Erik making his way across the chasm, his movements sure and steady despite the perilous drop beneath him. A moment later, he's standing beside us, his face etched with relief and grim determination.
"We should keep moving," he says, his voice low and urgent. "There's no telling what other dangers might lurk in these caves."
He's right, of course. We can't afford to linger here, not when the fate of the realms hangs in the balance. But for a moment longer, I allow myself to savor the feeling of Rhyland's arms around me, the solid warmth of his body pressed against mine.
Because in a world where danger lurks around every corner and death is always just a heartbeat away, these moments of connection, love, and comfort are more precious than all the treasures in the realms combined.
As we venture deeper into the cave, the air grows thick with anticipation, like we're on the cusp of something big. And then, when I'm starting to wonder if we've taken a wrong turn somewhere, I hear it.
Beautiful notes like instruments. We stumble upon a sight that takes my breath away.
It's a pool, but not just any pool. No, this kind of pool belongs in a fairy tale or a high-end spa resort. The water is crystal clear, shimmering with an otherworldly light that seems to dance and play across its surface. And the sound... oh, the sound.
This is the next landmark Mirella spoke about—this must be the harmony pool.
It's like nothing I've ever heard, a symphony of musical tones that seems to rise from the pool's depths. Droplets of water fall from the stalactites above, each creating a unique note that blends seamlessly with the others, weaving a hauntingly beautiful and strangely soothing melody.
"Wow." I breathe. "This is incredible."
I can feel the pull of the pool, the way it seems to call out to me on some deep, primal level. It's like the water is alive, imbued with a power that I can't quite name but can feel thrumming through every fiber of my being.
"We should take a closer look," Erik suggests, his voice cutting through my reverie. "There may be clues here—something that can help us."
He's right, of course. We didn't come all this way to admire the scenery, no matter how breathtaking it might be. So, with a nod of agreement, we start to make our way around the pool's edge, following a stone path that looks like ancient hands carved it.
As we walk, I can't help but marvel at the path's intricacy. The stones fit together like pieces of a puzzle, each bearing a unique pattern that seems to tell a story all itsown. It's like we're walking through history, the very heart of the ancient world that gave rise to this place and all its secrets.
And then, just when I'm starting to think that maybe we've hit a dead end, that the pool is nothing more than a pretty distraction—I see it. A pedestal stands at the water's very edge, its surface worn smooth by time and the elements.
But what really catches my eye is what's on top of the pedestal. It's a riddle etched into the stone in a language I've never seen before. The symbols seem to dance and shift before my eyes, teasing me with their hidden meaning.
"Well, shit," I mutter, my brow furrowing as I try to make sense of the cryptic words. "Looks like the ancients were big fans of brain teasers."
Rhyland steps beside me, his dark hair and chiseled jaw sexy in this lighting. His baby blue eyes narrow as he studies the riddle. "It must be a clue."
I look around, trying to make sense of this crazy musical pool situation we've stumbled into. But all I see is the glowing water shimmering like a disco ball, and I hear the sounds of harmony echoing off the cave walls like we've landed smack dab in the middle of a mystical orchestra pit.
I glance back at the writing on the pedestal, my eyes narrowing as I notice something I hadn't picked up on before. "Hey, Erik," I call out, my voice bouncing off the damp stone. "Are those musical notes above each word, or am I just seeing things?"
Erik leans in closer, his silver brow furrowed in concentration. "Yes," he confirms, his tone matter-of-fact as always. "The first is C." He continues, rattling off the notes like he's reading from a music sheet. "E. G., and A."
"Well, that's just great," I mutter, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "We've got the notes, but how the hell are we supposed to turn that into some kind of secret message? It's not like we've got a piano handy."
Something catches my eye as I scan the cave for clues we might have missed. There, etched above us on the stalagmites, are letters. Freaking letters, like we've stumbled into some kind of twisted spelling bee.
