Page 68 of The Dead Saint

Adrian nodded, waving at Sorcha to join him by Nox. “Leave Epona here. Nox will take us down into the valley.”

“That’s not necessary,” Sorcha said. “I can ride my own horse.”

“If something goes wrong, I don’t want to lose two horses. Epona is not a war horse.” Adrian nodded to Revenant—a silent command to keep watch. “Let’s not waste any more time.”

* * *

The air grew warmer as they followed the steep track down. It curved along the bare rock wall in a spiral, looping the perimeter several times. The sinkhole was deeper than it appeared at first, the bare trees larger. Sorcha strained to catch any sound that might mean they’d be coming face to face with someone—or something—protecting the relic. But there was nothing unusual. Only the rustle and movement of normal, living things.

Sorcha fought to keep herself from melting into Adrian as they rode. He was so warm and solid behind her, his strong arms wrapped around her as he kept a loose hold on the reins. Comforting despite everything. Every nerve in her body screamed for him. Touch me. Kiss me. Take me. But he’d made the choice for both of them.

“Stop here,” Sorcha said when they reached the bottom. “We should walk.”

“Should we?”

Adrian’s voice was low, his mouth brushing her ear as he spoke. She turned slightly and closed her eyes, feeling the stubble on his cheek against her own. Sucking in a breath full of cool woods and warm man, she sighed and whispered, “Adrian.”

“Let me help you down,” he said, pulling away.

In a smooth motion, he dismounted and turned to help her out of the saddle. She leaned down, placing her hands on his shoulders, their faces close as he reached for her waist. He didn’t move, remaining in place as she slid down along the length of his body; hip and shoulder, hand and arm. She was careful not to look at him, but the pull was unbearable. He was a mixture of sweetness and pain itching across her skin, lodging in her throat. His large hands held her carefully, gently helping her down and making sure she had her balance before letting her go.

Sorcha looked back the way they’d come. It seemed so much farther up—as if Nox and the path had worked some kind of magic to get them here more quickly. The path continued into the trees, urging them to follow, to discover what might be found at the end.

Winter trees arched overhead, and Nox picked his way through drifts of brown and red leaves behind them. Adrian didn’t speak, focused on their surroundings, one hand on his sword. She listened to her heartbeat, so aware of the man beside her. He was a distraction she couldn’t afford to have. But she was grateful he was here.

“Cold?” he asked.

“What?”

“You shivered. Are you cold?”

Sorcha glanced at him, but his focus was elsewhere. “No. I was remembering something.”

“The cave.”

It wasn’t a question. She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself. Poor comfort, but she’d take it.

“There,” Adrian stopped, pointing ahead to a shadow between the trees. “See it?”

“Yes, that’s where we’re going.”

* * *

A pair of monumental stone hands rose out of the leaves, the fingers coming together to create a pointed arch. They were as tall as the tallest tree and the color of old blood flecked with hints of clear, bright rubies. They glittered under the overcast sky as if lit from within. But the forest beyond the arch was vibrant—a summer place in a winter wood. A place outside their own.

“Are the hands alive?” Adrian asked.

“I don’t know,” Sorcha said, nudging dry leaves aside with her foot to see what lay beneath—moist dark earth flecked with tiny rubies. Kneeling, she picked one up and held it out. “It’s faceted as if it’s been worked by a jeweler. It’s not a raw stone.”

Adrian held out a hand, and Sorcha dropped the stone into his black-gloved palm.

He inspected it, rolling it around thoughtfully—a line between his brows, a slight frown tugging at his lips. “It reminds me of blood.”

“Don’t people usually say that about rubies?”

“I’ve never seen rubies like these.” Adrian held it out for her to take. “Have you?”

Sorcha shook her head and took the stone back, rolling it between her hands. It warmed with her touch, the color richer and deeper than any other stone she’d ever seen. It was as if blood had crystalized into this impossibly beautiful stone. It wasn’t like the rubies she’d worn in the temple or those gifted to her by Prince Eine. These were something else.

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