“It’s nothing,” Roane immediately counters.
“In that case,” I whisper, “why do you look so worried?”
He glares. “What did I say about poking your nose where it doesn’t belong?”
“You can’t keep shutting me out of whatever is going on here,” I tell him.
“Shutting you out? You come and go as you please.” He throws his hands up in the air. “Ishould be the one complaining about saving your ass all the time.”
“Really?” I glare right back. “Nobody asked you to come save me, for your information.”
“So you say now. You sang a different song when I came to your rescue.Thank you, Roane. You saved our lives, Roane.”
“I never said that,” I snap.
“Well, maybe you should have?” he says, showing me his sharp teeth.
“Oh Gods,” Ardruna groans. “Like children. You really are part of the family now, Aline. I can tell from this stupid discussion between the two of you.”
“… thanks?” I grin at the face Roane pulls. “I’m ready. Shall we?”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
NO PROMISES
ADELINE
“We have to hurry,” Ardruna says as we rush through the temple. “She can ride on my back. You can keep up on foot, Ro.”
“But what if you slow me down?” he snarks.
“That’s enough out of you. Now, girl.” Ardruna fixes me with her blue gaze. “Hop on. Let’s get moving.”
“How about a weapon?” I ask. “How will I fight without a single blade?”
With a long-suffering sigh, Roane strides away. “Let’s talk again when it’s time for battle.”
“Did he just agree with me?” I grab fistfuls of Ardruna’s short fur and haul myself onto her back. “Am I finally wearing him down?”
“He’s stringing you along.”
“He has so many knives. He could spare one.”
“I wish you luck in your endeavor.” Her voice holds laughter. “I think he’s just… used to fighting alone.”
I roll my eyes. “He has you and Talton.”
“You know it’s not the same. He’s used to being the one in command, the one who wields all the blades.”
I shrug. “Then I’ll steal one from him.”
This time, she barks a laugh as she lopes after Roane, and I tighten my knees at her sides not to fall off. “I’d love to see that. Hold on tight. Here we go.”
We run up the stairs to find Roane already opening the double doors. Together we step out onto the rock shelf overlooking the city. The mountains loom in the distance, stacked against the far walls of the cave, their snow-capped peaks almost touching the roof.
This cave is larger than it initially seemed. Larger than the space it occupies, a bubble that tests the limits of reality. If the centaurs came through a passage in the mountains, then what is behind them? How far does this world stretch?
The urge to return to the sanctum just to study the map covering its floor is strong.
