“That’s the idea,” he said with an irritating smirk.
“Great. Perfect,” I muttered, dragging a hand down my face. “Why not throw in a cursed snowman chasing us while we’re at it?”
Caden smirked, his eyes gleaming with that infuriating confidence. “I thought you liked a challenge. Or is this where the great Emma Thompson finally admits she’s out of her depth?”
I shot him a glare but bit back a retort. “Let’s just get started,” I said, brushing off his jab. “I’ll cloak us as much as I can, but we need to stay close to the snow to blend in with the surroundings.”
He gave a single, determined nod before turning to begin the ascent. His motions were fluid, almost feline, like someone who was born for this kind of terrain. Every move he made seemed intentional and effortless, his body adjusting naturally to the incline.
I, however, felt more like a shrooming squirrel attempting an obstacle course. Each step was a battle, my footing slipping as I tried to mimic his surefooted strides. I hadn’t even climbed a proper hill before, let alone a treacherous, snow-covered mountain. The biting wind stung my face, but the burn of humiliation stung worse as I grappled with every inch of progress.
“You okay over there?” Caden called back, glancing over his shoulder. “You seem to be struggling a bit.”
“Of course I’m struggling!” I snapped. “I’m not exactly Maria Von Trapp!”
Caden frowned, clearly confused. “Maria Von Trapp?”
“‘Climb Every Mountain?’” I retorted, exasperated.
Caden snickered, shaking his head as he extended his hand toward me. “Need a hand?”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, grabbing his hand as I fumbled my way up. The sun was surprisingly warm, and I decided to yank off my jacket. Caden’s frown deepened.
“You’re going to get yourself hurt without it.”
Before I could retort, my foot slipped on a patch of ice. I went tumbling forward, my body sliding uncontrollably downthe slope before I landed flat on my stomach. I skidded a few feet before finally coming to a stop.
It wasn’t a serious fall, but the sight of it must have looked worse than it was, because Caden’s face went ashen, and his easy composure shattered in an instant. He scrambled down the slope after me, urgency in every rapid, almost frantic movement.
By the time he reached me, his eyes were wild with fear, his breathing uneven. “Emma! Are you hurt? Did you hit your head? Fuck, tell me you’re okay!”
His hands moved gently but urgently, running over my arms, legs, and torso, his touch insistent as though he needed to confirm for himself I was still in one piece.
The intensity of his reaction surprised me. “I’m fine, Caden,” I said, the words clear and honest. “It was just a slip, nothing serious.”
Caden’s breath came in short, sharp bursts as he crouched beside me, his expression somewhere between relief and lingering worry. “You scared the hell out of me,” he snapped, his voice harsh and laced with emotion.
The raw concern etched across his face made my heart stutter. He genuinely cared about me. “I’m all right,” I said softly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “It was just a slip, Caden. Nothing’s broken, I promise.”
He let out a deep sigh, the stiffness in his shoulders easing, though the worry in his features lingered. “Fine,” he said, his tone firm. “But no more risks. You’re climbing in front of me from now on.”
I raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at my lips. “So you can stare at my ass the whole time?”
The corner of his mouth twitched, but his expression stayed serious. “I’m always staring at your ass, Emma, but believe me, that isnotwhat’s on my mind right now. So get moving.”
The tension broke just a little as I rolled my eyes and turned back toward the peak. We resumed the ascent, the icy air biting at every exposed inch of skin, the cold creeping steadily through our clothes.
Caden stayed nearby, his watchful presence an anchor as we ascended higher into the unforgiving terrain. It was a far cry from how we’d started—strangers on opposite sides of a divide. Yet now, with every cautious step, it was impossible to ignore how far we’d come.
I pulled my jacket back on, the added warmth providing a small comfort against the encroaching chill. Soon, we reached what appeared to be an entrance into Batura Sur. Caden glanced around, scanning the area with a mix of curiosity and wariness.
“Don’t you find it strange we haven’t run into any guards yet?” he asked, every word edged with suspicion he wasn’t bothering to hide.
I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. “They have a LiaPrism which alerts them if anyone with translation comes even close.”
Caden frowned, contemplating my question. “Maybe, yeah.”
I filled my lungs with air, exhaling slowly, staring down the dark, carved tunnel that wound its way into the heart of the summit. The shadows seemed to pulse with an eerie anticipation.
