Rian grips his sword, eyes scanning the darkness beyond.
Valen exhales, gaze flicking between me and Thane. “Only you two could see that stone.” His tone isn’t accusing—just thoughtful, turning the pieces over in his mind. “The dragons sensed it, but they couldn’t see it from above. I couldn’t see it at all.”
The bond pulses stronger, insistent, like a tether wrapping around us both, pulling us forward. I feel it thrumming beneath my skin, a quiet force curling around my ribs, tugging me toward the darkened passage.
We turn to each other at the same moment and our eyes lock. We didn’t just find this place. It called us.
As we stand before the entrance, Calryx’ sharp voice slices into my mind like a blade of ice.“I do not like this.”
Her presence crackles through the bond—sharp, electric, full of restrained frustration. It settles low in my belly—tight, coiled.Different from the bond I share with Thane, which pulses higher, behind my sternum.
The two forces pull at different parts of me—unbalancing. Dizzying.
I shift slightly on the dense moss below my feet.“What don’t you like?”
“That I cannot join you.”A heavy pause, then, with even more disdain,“Puny humans and your tiny passageways.”
I huff a breath, though I feel the tension curling in my belly.“Not my fault you’re the size of a mountain.”
Her snort is unimpressed.“A necessary consequence of being magnificent.”
I can feel her annoyance like a storm gathering on the horizon.“We’ll be fine,”I assure her.“It’s just a passage.”
Calryx’s tone sharpens,“It is not just a passage, Virelya. It is ancient. And it was closed for a reason.”
“And it was opened for a reason too.”I retort. But even as I say it, the dread unfurls—slow and certain.
Before either of us can move, hooves crunch against the forest floor behind us. “What the hell is going on?” Lyra’s voice cuts through the hush as she rides up to the front of the escort. Her sharp gaze flicks between me, Thane, and the darkened passage, suspicion flashing in her eyes.
Lyra always sees more than she says.
Garrick exhales dramatically, shifting in his saddle. “Why is it always some sinister dark hole in the ground?” He gestures toward the entrance with a lazy wave. “Can’t it ever be a nice, inviting doorway with a sign that says, ‘Come on in, have an ale, nothing ominous ahead’?”
Jarek snorts. “I’d be more suspicious of that.”
Rian remains silent, his grip still tight on his sword, eyes fixed on the passage, then scanning the forest.
Thane turns to the others, his voice steady, leaving no roomfor argument. “We go in pairs. Weapons drawn.” Then he looks to the rest of the escort. “The rest of you, stay here and stay alert. If we’re not back by midday, head straight to the capital.”
A murmur of agreement ripples through the group, though no one looks particularly eager to let us go in alone.
Garrick and Rian dismount first, Jarek following a beat later.
Before I can take a step forward, Lyra swings down from her horse.
Garrick exhales dramatically. “Of course, you’re going.”
Lyra shoots him a smirk as she tightens the straps on her bracers. “What, worried I’ll show you up?”
Garrick raises a brow. “Worried I’ll have to drag your ass out of another disaster? Definitely.”
Lyra ignores him and steps up beside me, rolling her shoulders like she’s already bracing for a fight. Then, more seriously, she glances at me. “I go where Amara goes.”
I meet her gaze, something warm settling in my chest despite the uncertainty ahead. She’s always been reckless, but never careless. Especially not with me.
Thane doesn’t argue about whether or not Lyra is coming with us—just nods once. Garrick grimaces, but doesn’t say anything else.
I step forward with Thane at my side. Together, we cross into the passageway.
