The wind howled harder against him.
“I’m going, I’m going.” He whirled toward the passage, fisted his palms, and gave me one last look. “See you on the other side.”
And just like that, he stepped forward and vanished.
I thumped my chest, willing my heart to quiet.
“Are you alright?” Ryker asked, stepping closer to me.
“I–I don’t know.” I tried to even out my breathing. I failed. “It tried to fight me again.”
The crater felt incensed I’d dared to call upon–like it had for Ryker when we’d left the city.
I curled my fingers, willing my hands to stop shaking. I was leaving this place, anyway–for long or forever, I didn’t know.
“We’ll calm it down when we return,” he said and it sounded like a question.
Wondering ifIwould want to return.
And I couldn’t answer that. Not now, when the crater’s bowels stared at me. “This passage–”
“It’s free of anything that could harm you,” he said softly.
It was the first real conversation we’d had in a long time, I hadn’t known how much I needed it.
“And I’ll be right by your side,” he went on, voice lulling.
My gaze jumped to his once more, like he was the courage I needed.
That’s why he’d stayed behind.
Not to oversee his warriors walking. To be by my side in case I needed it.
I would have cursed my own predictability if my heart didn’t suddenly thump with relief.
Damn him for knowing.
Damn me for needing.
“I appreciate that,” I muttered.
We turned toward the passage at the same time.
We didn’t reach for each other’s hands. The chasm between us was still too large. But we stood side by side, elbows touching. Feeling him by my side was enough.
Together, we stepped forward toward the darkness.
He vanished inside of it.
I hit a wall.
I recoiled, staring at the entrance.
It shimmered purple, taunting me.
Ryker reappeared a breath later, face sharper, eyes sparking dangerously. “What’s going on?”
“I–” I scratched at the passage and got only flecks of icy dirt for my troubles.
