Page 72 of Wraithwound

“You are right now,” she snapped.

Cross put his hands up in defense, his voice taking on a gentle note. “Of course, I’ll do it. You’ll just have to guide me.”

So, she did. Lena walked Cross through pulling the bolt out of the eleuth’s shoulder, ensuring he wouldn’t cause the animal more harm, and then cleaning and dressing the wound. She was pleased at how carefully he tended to the creature and followed her instructions.

By the end, the eleuth had fallen asleep after being placed on Lena’s cloak.

There was still the matter of the dead guards and finding a place to camp now that the sun was lower in the sky.

“Do you have a plan for where you’re going to camp tonight?” he asked, keeping his gaze on the horizon. “There are likely to be other patrols out there.”

Lena exhaled through her nose. No, she did not have a plan. She hadn’t anticipated the Commander would send men to look for her. Lena thought Vince would have kept her escape to himself, seeing as how the Commander hadn’t been aware of her presence. Not to mention, without her little companion scouting the skies, she’d be less prepared to face other incoming threats.

“I know where we could camp. It’s secure and on the way to your destination,” he said when she didn’t answer.

Lena considered. Cross had saved her life. Didn’t that mean he was no longer indebted to her? If that was the case, he could kill her at any moment. Technically, he should. And yet, she wasn’t afraid of him. Lena chewed on her lip. Spending another night with Cross would be a risk, but the terrain was unfamiliar, and she didn’t have a better plan.

Lena nodded her agreement, and they packed up. She made Cross bundle the eleuth in his arms like a newborn babe. He didn’t protest and gently cradled the animal in his arm as they rode the rest of the day, at a much slower pace.

A heavy silence hung in the air between them, brimming with all the things they left unspoken. Now that he’d repaid his debt, she wasn’t sure why he continued to offer his assistance. Despite her hurt feelings about the way he’d chosen to confront her, she was grateful for his help, but she had to remind herself that while he’d come to their rescue, it was only because he’d had to.

Cross led them through unfamiliar terrain until they reached a more wooded area, viridescent foliage becoming more abundant as they went.

Without the eleuth scouting above, Cross was more vigilant, surveying their surroundings and checking the skies regularly. They rode until they reached a dramatic stone outcrop. Despite the inconsistent sizes of the stones, they looked like building blocks that had been expertly carved by a behemoth blade.

Cross dismounted Kharon and pushed aside a large bush that could have also been a small tree to reveal a hidden passageway.

“It’s leads to a large cave,” he said, leading Kharon inside.

Lena followed, glancing over at Cross to ensure careful handling of the eleuth. She was pleased to see he was being gentle.

Once inside, Lena couldn’t contain her gasp. Blue-white crystals embedded in the walls of the enormous cavern cast an other-worldly glow over the smooth stone surface of the cave and provided enough light for them to see comfortably. Distantly, the unmistakable gurgle of water echoed off the stone walls, serving as a melodic score for the ethereal setting.

“Is that⁠—”

“Yes,” he said, nodding.

“How do you know about this place?” she asked, unable to keep the awe from her voice.

“I found it one night when I was trying to outrun a storm. I’d heard rumors about crystal mines in the area and suspected this might be one. There are tunnels and smaller mines that run through this area and cover quite a large expanse,” he said, offering more detail than he normally would.

“It’s incredible,” she said, taking in the space.

Cross set the eleuth down still bundled in her cloak. She made note of how he took care to spread it out like a blanket on the floor. The creature stirred, cracking a bright orange eye and surveying its new accommodations. Apparently satisfied that all was well and they were safe, it went back to sleep, chittering softly as it nestled further into the heavy fabric.

Lena lay her things close to the eleuth so she could keep an eye on the creature overnight. Satisfied with the placement of her bedroll, she reached up to release the tangle of hair that’d once been a braid and headed towards the spring. Each step felt heavier than the last, but she was determined to glimpse the bubbling waters.

When she finally came upon it, she was stunned by the sheer size of it. Akin to the size of a small lake, the water glowed a soft blue that hinted at the crystals that lined the bottom. Standing at the water’s edge, she decided the allure of the water was too great.

Lena unlaced her boots, stepped out of her pants, and pulled off her shirt, leaving only her under clothes. The cool water felt like a balm to her skin; the bubbling was a sensual massage that worked the exhaustion from her bones and the fog from her mind. She ventured out further into the middle of the spring, gliding onto her back and floating there, letting the feel of weightlessness ease the grief and worry that consumed her thoughts.

A nearing presence alerted her to Cross’s company, and she opened her eyes to see him standing at the water’s edge, his gaze sweeping over her. At the sight of her attention on him, he averted his eyes but sat, nonetheless.

Keenly aware that her wraithwound was on full display and her undergarments would be completely see-through, she let her body sink under the surface of the water.

“I owe you an apology,” he said meeting her eyes.

Lena took in the solemn look on his face. But it was the sincerity in his eyes that showed he meant it.