“That’s not for you to decide,” I replied, turning back to the group.
Isla snickered and shook her head before flipping her long black braid over her shoulder.
“Well, we should split up the two mages who can whisper with the wind if there are more doors like this,” she agreed, nodding at Kellan.
“I can use my own powers on doors like this,” I cut in, glancing at my hands. “Probably.”
“I’m not leaving you.” Kellan’s expression was calm, yet firm.
“I’ll be fine.” Aeriden grinned, clasping me on the shoulder. “Isla’s basically a mystic anyways.”
“Fine by me,” Isla agreed. “Once we find what we’re looking for, let’s meet at the opening of the tunnel, by the Itherian statue.”
Outnumbered, then. My fingernails dug into my palms, and I forced my hands to relax as I dropped them to my sides. Isla reached forward and wrapped her arms around me.
“I’ll keep him safe,” she whispered.
I sagged in the warmth of her friendship and loosened my jaw.
“Keep yourself safe, too,” I breathed back before releasing her. I strode past Kellan and into the waiting path without looking back.
We woundaround the jagged crystals as the path thinned, their sharp points forcing us in a slow, looping pattern.
“What’s wrong?” Kellan murmured after several tense minutes of silence.
“Nothing,” I lied, glad I led the way and wasn’t forced to look at his face.
“I told you, Lyvia. I do not do miscommunication.”
He gripped my arm from behind, shifting my body so I missed the dagger-like crystal shard jutting out from the side. I blew out a quick breath as my stomach lurched.
“And I do not do bossy,” I said after a moment. “Don’t start being an overprotective asshole.”
Kellan huffed a laugh. “Well, I’ve always been an overprotective asshole, so, no.”
I tugged my arm out of his grip and continued walking. “Let’s just talk about something else,” I murmured after a moment.
“Should we talk about how you found me in the Abyss?” he asked without hesitation.
A zip of energy shot up my core, flipping my stomach and tightening around my chest at the question. My lips clamped shut. I wasn’t sure I was ready to talk about how I’d found him…That tug.There was still so much I didn’t understand.
“Kellan…” I started after a moment, keeping my eyes forward and winding through the sharp crystals.
I opened my mouth to continue when a grand chamber opened before us. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
LYVIA
Origin unknown. They’ve either forgotten or refuse to divulge the information.
– A Written History of the Itherians, by Olienna. Crystal Castle.
Lyvia – The Arx, Votruvia
Aviolet and pink glow erupted in my vision. Varying sizes of glowing crystals bordered the circular space, stretching from the floor to a strange mist hanging above. A wide stone walkway followed an elaborate spiral design, hovering above dark water and leading to a set of stairs. At the top of the steps, the surrounding crystals cast their light on a grand marble altar. Eight colonnades bordered the altar, stretching into the canopied mist above.
The pink-white glow from the crystals threw the space in a soft blanket of light. Kellan stepped in front of me and palmed a rubelline dagger, the white stone igniting in a blaze of red.
