Page 63 of A Kingdom of Monsters

I pressed my lips together. He was right, I didn’t believe I had to personally collect the jewel. Still, I’d be damned before I let them leave me behind.

“If that door does shut on its own, how am I supposed to help?” I argued. “I can’t wrench a metal door off the hinges like any of you could. You’d end up just as trapped as if all four of us went, only you’d know I was on the other side of the door unable to help you. I know you all think I’m useless at fighting, but–”

“No one thinks you're useless,” Bael said almost harshly. “We think you’re too important to risk.”

My chest swelled with warmth at those words, but I still wasn’t going to give up. “You all keep trying to protect me from every tiny thing, but that can’t last. Either I’m worthy of the crown or I’m helpless and need you all to save me. It can’t be both.”

Everyone fell silent looking both angry and also resigned. Like I’d made a good point, but not one they liked.

Scion turned to Ambrose. “She’s right. It needs to be you. If the door closes, you’d be able to get it open, but more importantly, you’re the most likely to realize if something is wrong.”

“But I can’t–” He broke off, giving Scion a meaningful glance.

“I said the most likely, not that I’m expecting total omniscience,” Scion muttered, clearly agitated.

“Fine,” Ambrose burst out angrily, turning on his heel and heading back toward the door. “Don’t die.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” Scion replied dryly. “If I died while you got to wait safely outside, my spirit would be forced to return so I could kill you myself.”

Bael laughed, but I didn’t find anything particularly funny at the moment.

I waited a beat, warring with myself over…something. I wasn’t entirely sure what was wrong with me. I felt itchy, like if I didn’t at least say something–do something—I was going to crawl out of my skin.

Almost as if he read my mind. Or–I was embarrassed to hope it–he was thinking the same as I was, Ambrose glanced back over his shoulder at me. Our gazes connected, and a small shock, like static, surged through my veins.

Almost like he’d felt it too, Ambrose shivered, then smiled. “Stay safe, love. I couldn’t bear it if anything were to happen to you.”

I bit my bottom lip and swallowed thickly, recognizing his words immediately. It was the same thing he’d said right before leaving me in Underneath. Right after he’d kissed me…

A wild, untamed part of me wanted to do it again. I had the most bizarre desire to dart after Ambrose and press my lips to his, just in case we really did die and never see him again.

But I didn’t.

Silently, I promised myself that if we came back–when we came back–I’d act on my impulse.

At least then the kiss wouldn’t be a goodbye, but possibly a hello.

Bael,Scion and I continued on into the depths of the cavern, our boots echoing on the damp stone ground. The only other sound was our breathing and the occasional drip of water echoing in the darkness.

As we cautiously made our way towards the back of the cavern, a glimmer caught my eye. My heart raced with anticipation as the looming shape of an enormous door came into view. Its ancient stone surface was etched with intricate patterns and symbols I couldn’t read or begin to understand.

I stepped forward, then glanced at Bael and Scion for confirmation before I reached for the door handle. My hands trembled as I yanked at it, fully expecting to find it locked.

Instead, the door swung open easily and I stumbled back, surprised by the momentum.

“It’s unlocked,” I blurted out, as if they couldn’t easily see that for themselves.

Scion grimaced. “That’s not a good thing, rebel. It probably means there’s something worse on the other side.”

I frowned, knowing he must be right. “I suppose we’ll have to find out, won’t we.”

“I’ll go first,” Scion announced. “Bael, in back, and you stay between us, rebel.”

Without a word, I switched places and followed him through the entrance and into a narrow stone passage. I’d convinced them to let me come along, I didn’t need to push my luck by insisting on walking at the front.

The passage was pitch dark, the air thick with dust and mildew. I could barely see two steps in front of me, and on instinct, I conjured up a small flame in my hand to guide us

Bael looked at me appreciatively. “You’re getting good at that, little monster.”

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