“We’re almost there,” I call back, adjusting the book bag and crawling forward. The tunnel bends sharply, and I twist my body to follow its path. My fingers dig into the rocky floor. Magic pulses ahead, a faint thrumming. The darkness is nearly all-encompassing, save for the occasional glint of mineral in the stone, reflecting the light from the small, glowing orb that bobs before us.
A handy spell of Fare’s. If only it hadn’t taken him forever to find the right scroll for the incantation in his pocket.
Eventually, the way widens, revealing a faint glow ahead. My heart quickens as I push myself faster, ignoring the sting of scrapes and bruises. The tunnel opens up and I jump out, blocking the entrance with my body as Fare approaches.
His face nearly bumps into my chest.
“Would you be freaked out if I told you to close your eyes?” I ask.
He lets out a soft breath. “Well, I can only assume the reason is my imminent demise, so?—”
“Close your eyes, Fare.”
He does. I swipe my hand through his glowing orb until it disperses into a misty haze.
“You’re going to have to trust me, okay?”
Fare scoffs but allows me to help him out of the tunnel. The way his body melds to mine as I guide him over the uneven stone…He does trust me. A man he just met.
What an idiot. But a strange protectiveness surges through me, and I tug him a little closer.
“So, what’s my death going to be?” Fare muses. “Thrown from a ledge? Sacrificed to an ancient deity of Summer? Drowned by selkies?”
Leaning down, my lips brush his ear, and it twitches. “Oh, Little Leaf, I’ve got something much more dastardly planned.”
“I have no doubt.”
I keep a hand in his as I say, “Open your eyes.”
He does.
I watch closely as his expression changes. Flickering lights play over his skin. The walls are alive with bioluminescence, glowing in shades of blue and green that dance and shimmer like stars. The glow reflects off an underground lake, casting rippling patterns across the ceiling. Stalactites drip with crystalline water that catches the light.
“Wow.” Fare’s eyes are wide, his mouth open in awe. “This is incredible.”
He steps toward one of the walls but doesn’t let go of my hand. In fact, he squeezes it tighter. I smile, watching his curiosity take over. He studies the glowing patches intently, fingers hovering above the surface.
“I don’t know what it is,” I say, “but it sure is pretty.”
“I’ve read about this type of cave before.” Fare smiles, his eyes still fixed on the luminous patterns. “It’s a combination of bioluminescent fungi and a special mineral on the rock walls.The fungi feed on the minerals, creating this radiant essence. It’s a symbiotic relationship, one that’s been here for centuries. Perhaps since the Queen created the Vale.”
“Radiant essence,” I repeat. “I call it blue goo.”
Fare chuckles. “It’s like nature’s own magic.”
“It’s cold to the touch,” I say, casting him a mischievous grin.
“You’vetouchedit? Without even knowing if it was safe?”
I laugh, dipping my fingers into the blue goo—radiant essence—and pulling away a handful of the shimmering substance. “I was curious. But it hasn’t harmed me yet.”
Fare’s eyes sparkle. He mimics my action, his fingers coming away coated in the glowing goo. He studies his luminous fingertips, then turns to me, a grin spreading across his face.
I swipe a finger along his shoulder, leaving a swirling blue line.
For a moment, I think he’s going to be cross, but then he bites his lip and reaches up, tracing along my jaw. It’s cold and a little tingly. I unclasp his cloak and tug down the shoulder of his orange toga, the fabric still wrapped around his waist.
“I wouldn’t call myself an artist,” I say, creating a sun on his chest, “but you make the most striking canvas.”
