“I—I’ve lived in this castle my entire life. I’ve searched it so many times. I don’t know what we could possibly expect to find…”
He smirks. I’m beginning to wish he would go back to his regular grumpy self. His smiles seem to… do something to me.
He leans down, getting closer than he’s ever been, until his face is right by my ear and I breathe in the smoky, woodsy scent that emanates from him. “A crown, perhaps?” he whispers in my ear.
Chills run down my neck.
I look up at him as he stands at his full height again, studying me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he wants to see the reaction that had on me.
He looks smug.
And I’m an idiot. Because of course we would be searching for the crown. I’m the one who suggested it may be hidden here, after all. Yes, when I first found out how the spell was cast, I explored every inch of this castle, hoping to find any of the relics. But then I began to give up, spending more and more time in the library, hoping for clues here instead. But something as small as a crown could be anywhere. Perhaps having a fresh set of eyes will be just what we need.
“The dungeons,” I say after a moment of thought. “Let’s start there. It’s the place I’ve explored the least.” I haven’t been down there in many years. It gives me the creeps.
He nods, gesturing with his hand. “Lead the way.”
While we stroll through the dark halls, I give him a brief history of the castle. It’s dull information, to be honest. The castle has been here for thousands of years, refortified by terramancers every so often. The wall surrounding it is the newest addition, having been constructed over nine hundred years ago.
A long silence drags on as we walk, both of us studying every detail we can. “There’s a secret doorway that leads down just up here. Not many people know of it. This way we can hopefully avoid any guards.”
“They wouldn’t let you in?”
I shake my head. “They would, but I think the less questions, the better, don’t you?”
He nods in agreement.
I lead him into a rarely used room that’s completely barren besides an empty black fireplace. He stops and looks around, then I point to the very subtle outline in the wall. “Do you see it?”
Squinting, he gives another nod.
I walk toward it and push against the far-left side of the door so that the other side will open up to the passageway for us.
It’s stuck.
I try again, releasing an involuntary grunt.
Unsuccessful.
“May I?” Daegan says.
I step aside.
He gives it one tight push with his left hand, his short-sleeved shirt showing off every curve of his smooth, tight bicep, and the door opens for him.
Ripping my gaze away, I walk through the passage. It’s dark in here, so I pull out a light orb from my bag. I hear Daegan follow.
“Did they put you down here… before?”
There’s nothing but silence for a moment. Then, finally, he answers. “No.”
“I’m… sorry about all that.”
“Don’t be. I chose to show you the worst version of myself, so that is all you knew. I can’t blame you.”
“Is there… another version?” I ask quietly, my head turned sideways so he can hear me.
I’m met with deep sigh. “Sometimes I think that version exists only in the past now,” he admits softly.
