She arched a brow before allowing him to lead her onward into the stone passage.
Caspian closed the secret door behind them with a handle secured to the inside. Of course she trusted him with her life, her heart, everything, but it was not enough to keep a jolt of anxiety from shooting down her spine as she heard the latch click once more into place. Keira choked it down with an even breath. They could still see perfectly well by the light of the torch, and it was clear now that more were lit further down the passage as it led down under the keep. She was being ridiculous. They were milesaway from Deepgate. Caspian was here with her. She pulled herself closer to him, breathed in his smell over the damp of the stone walls. Wherever he was taking her was perfectly safe.
Yet no matter how much she knew this to be true, she could not stem the panic that was brewing within her, strengthening as every step drew them deeper underground.
Her foot slipped off an uneven stair. Keira caught herself at once, but not before letting out an abrupt cry of alarm. The sound taunted her, echoing down the narrow stone wall until it almost seemed it had been made by a stranger.
She froze, gripping Caspian’s arm tight by the meager torchlight as her own voice called back at her. Her yelp of surprise warped in her ears into screams of rage and terror. It came back to her so vividly, the memories of being dragged down the ever spiraling steps of that wretched prison, fighting to see the sun, fearing she never would again.
“What is it?” Caspian asked, lifting her chin to meet his eyes. His brow was knotted with concern as he stepped a little closer, as if to reassure himself that she was safe as well.
Keira shook her head. She didn’t want to ruin this night, not with such awful memories, but hadn’t she learned that no good comes of ignoring the past? It refuses to be buried for long. “When I was gone… Where they took me-” The words died on her lips. As much as she wanted to share her burden with him, she couldn’t, not yet.
“We can go back upstairs right now,” Caspian said. There was no reluctance or disappointment in his voice.
She considered it for a moment, tempted. But something stopped her from accepting his offer. Not that she believed it would hurt his feelings to ruin his plans. She knew him well enough to know that her comfort meant more to him than that. Keira simply could not bow down to the fear, to let it win this ground from her, to govern her choices.
One breath in. She trusted Caspian more than anything.
One breath out. The past was in the past.
This was another place, another time. Shehadsurvived Deepgate and its horrors. She had made it back here, to the man she loved, to the life she had dreamed of, fought for. There would be time to process what had happened, the scars she could feel inside her even now. She couldn’t ignore the past, but she also couldn’t be ruled by it.
“I trust you,” Keira whispered surely.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me,” Caspian sighed. “If you’re not ready-”
Keira shook her head. “I want to.”
Caspian stood for a moment thoughtfully. “I have an idea.” He paused until Keira nodded. His fingers went to the silk scarf tied at his neck. He loosened it and pulled it free.
Realization came to her, and Keira turned. Caspian placed the scarf over her eyes, tying it in a gentle knot. In the darkness, the smell of the damp stone filled her senses, but beneath it was also Caspian’s unmistakable scent. She could hear the crackling of the torches, the shuffle of his boots on the steps.
“It’s not much farther now,” Caspian said as he put an arm around her.
Keira leaned into him, allowing him to lead the way. Somehow, this was better. The panic faded from her as she focused on where her body pressed against his, on the simple motions of walking further down the steps.
Soon the air turned warmer. It was subtle at first, but grew steadily until her wintry layers became overbearing and clingy. Keira wiped a bead of moisture from her cheek. It was more than warm. It was humid. Even as she moved her hand, she could feel the weight of a mist hanging in the air.
Senses perked, she heard the faint sounds of water.
“Only a little farther,” Caspian said. “Two more steps down.”
Keira followed his lead until the ground did indeed level out. It wasn’t perfectly smooth under her boots. The natural stone of the cave floor rose and fell. By the echoes alone, she could sense they were in a much wider chamber now. Anticipation and excitement built within her to remove the scarf.
She felt Caspian’s fingers undoing the knot behind her. Keira pulled it free as it fell loose and gasped.
The air was pulled from her by the sheer beauty of this place. Hundreds of candles illuminated the cavern, some on tall iron mounts, others simply scattered across the stone floor. In the center of the room was a large pool of perfect cerulean blue waters. Through the cloud of steam that rose from its surface, it reflected the candlelight onto the domed ceiling of the cave, creating dancing patterns of light. On the far side of the pool, there had been made a bed of thick blankets and many scattered pillows. Just beside it was a neat pile of towels.
“Do you like it?” Caspian whispered behind her.
“How- I didn’t even know this was here.” Keira shook her head.
Caspian let out a soft laugh as he came to her side. “This is my favorite of Northall’s secrets. I’ve come here often by myself.” He began to unfasten his coat as he spoke. “The warm waters are a perfect place to think, or to forget.”
“It’s beautiful,” Keira said, marveling as she stripped her outermost layers as well. It was simply too hot to remain dressed for the winter that still gripped the keep above.
Caspian’s eyes met hers. “There’s never been anyone else I’ve wanted to share this place with.”
