“We can always take it a bit slower today,” she murmured, her lips brushing against the bare skin of my abdomen with each word.
She sounded so hopeful.
So positive that we could stretch whatever this was between us on forever.
I didn’t have the heart to crush that hope. Not yet, at least.
“Yes, nice and slow.” I pulled away and gave her a reassuring smile. “Are you ready?”
“I suppose so.” She looked down at her feet and dragged the tip of her toe through the rocky ground while I packed.
When everything was safely tucked inside my satchel, we left the warm glow of the cavern and headed back into the tunnels.
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget these,” Iris said as her fingers danced along the blue mushrooms lining the tunnel.
I stopped and stared at her, marveling at the wonder written on her face, committing this moment to memorybecause I never wanted to forget her.
For a long time, we walked, allowing the silence and the sadness to settle over us both like a dark cloud.
Until a dulcet sound broke the quiet.
Iris hummed a light-hearted melody, her sweet voice filling the tunnel and bringing a smile to my face.
She was keeping good on her promise.
After a few moments of listening to her, I joined in, the baritone of my hums complementing hers perfectly.
Or so I thought.
“No, no, no,” she said as she hooked her arm through mine. “Like this.”
Again, Iris repeated the tune. This time I was sure I had it. I followed her instructions, changing my pitch and rhythm, and hummed the song to near perfection.
“Yes! Just like that.” She patted my arm and leaned her head against me. “You’re a fast learner!”
Her approval filled me with pride, and I puffed out my chest before starting up the song again.
Chapter9
Just as I was beginning to lose feeling in my feet and heavily contemplating asking Selvyn to carry me the rest of the way, the soft sound of running water filled the tunnel.
“We’re almost there,” Selvyn said. He gave my arm a reassuring squeeze, as if he could sense my energy for the day was waning.
When we rounded the bend, the tunnel opened just high enough for Selvyn to stand to his full height. A slow-flowing river ran alongside the path, the water reflecting the blue tint of the mushrooms off of its surface before disappearing into a hole in the cave wall.
It was breathtaking.
I’d never expected to find such beauty in the caves, but they held so many hidden secrets—Selvyn included.
“We’ll rest here for the night,” Selvyn said and started to unpack his bag.
My chest constricted.
Tonight.
Our final night together.
I willed myself not to cry and instead focused my attention on the stream.
