She inched toward him. Daric lowered his head. He brought his arms around her.
A sharp ache flared in Rain’s shoulder, and she sucked ina breath. Daric let go immediately.
“I’m sorry.” He stepped back and scrubbed a hand over his face so hard it looked like punishment. “Let me tend to your injury.”
“That can wait until we’re safely away from this place.” Rain wished she hadn’t made a sound. Daric would have kissed her.
She waited, but he made no move toward her again. Sighing, she turned to the bed of gemstones.
“I think weshould take another bloodstone.” Letting their future partially hang on just one crystal they could break or lose wasn’t an option.
Daric faced the pulsing wall. His mouth flattened. “I don’t like it.”
“You get the crystal out,” Rain insisted. “I’ll slay the illusion.”
His brows drew together, but he nodded and pried at another stone. “Life would be easier—and possibly safer—if I were capableof denying you anything.”
Rain didn’t answer. Daric had done a fine job of denying her that kiss in the library.
As soon as Daric freed the gemstone and held it in his hand, it turned into a long, writhing, black-scaled serpent.
Rain jumped, leaping backward. She’d expected the same thing again, or at least something red. The snake struck at her, and she reacted quickly, her breath hammeringout in fright as she backhanded the reptile, feeling her hand pass right through what should have been solid fangs and a triangular head. The illusion disappeared, and Daric still held the bloodstone.
“Great Braylian!” She blew out a shaky breath and then laughed a little wildly. “That was still terrifying.”
Daric grinned at her, sliding the second crystal into his pouch to join the other. “Remindme never to anger you.”
Rain snorted softly. “Remind the sun not to shine.”
He arched both brows, looking playfully wounded. “Do I anger you daily, then?”
“No,” she admitted. “You’re my hero most of the time.”
Daric reached out and touched her jaw, tilting her face up. Their eyes met, and Rain stopped breathing.
He stroked her cheek, his deep voice wrapping around her like comfort and a shelter.Home. “You’re my hero today and every day, Rain. You saw through the first illusion. You got us the bloodstones we needed.”
Tears stung Rain’s eyes, and she fought them. If she lost Daric to Astraea Nighthall, her heart would break and she’d wither, just like Leathen.
Daric dropped his hand and turned to the exit. “Let’s leave this place.”
Rain nodded and led the way toward daylight.
