Page 127 of A Trial of the Heart

“No. Let’s keep moving.”

We stepped forward, following the increasing temperature in the air and the feel of the rock walls as our guide. Every few feet, something slithered with the all too familiar tapping sound of talons on rocks. The memory from Nyssa made me shudder, along with the all too recent encounter with the beasts from the labyrinth. A feeling of helplessness washed over me, and I couldn’t help the sting of panic that crept up my spine despite my animal’s power surging through me.

Daxton’s hand gripped my shoulder. “You all right?”

His touch helped bring me back. “Yeah, I’m good.”

I was angry at myself for allowing a memory to have such a hold on me like that. I was never going to stop fighting. Too many people relied on me. Not only was my mate’s fate now tied to my victory today, but the fate of his home. All the people I had grown to care for in Silver Meadows treated me like I was one of their own, just like my family in Solace. I couldn’t allowanother one hundred years of fear and tyranny to rule over their lives. That wasn’t living.

“I’m fine,” I repeated, a little sharper than I intended. “Let’s keep going.”

Dax nodded in understanding, following my lead until I stopped, hearing the serpent king speak again.

You… You ssssmell ssssstrangely familiar.

There was a loud crack, followed by the ceiling above our heads buckling and crumbling.

“Run!” Daxton shouted, pushing me forward.

The tunnel began collapsing all around us. The faint sound of laughter echoed in my ears while the blackened stone crumbled, the ceiling disappearing before our eyes. My feet couldn’t move fast enough, so Daxton grabbed my arm and readied his magic to teleport us out of the collapsing passageway.

Fuck. This is dangerous.

Daxton couldn’t see. He had no idea where he was sending us, needing a destination for his teleporting powers. We could end up inside a gods-damned wall! But it was either die under the falling rocks or try to escape.

When we reappeared in a different tunnel, my entire body trembled, but I still managed to remain standing.

“Lucky break?” I wheezed.

“It was either die under the falling stones or…”

“I know.” I sighed, leaning against him. I could feel his heart beating just as fast as mine. “I would’ve done the same.”

His arms wrapped around me, and I inhaled the fresh scent of cold mountain pine combined with my burning fire. His hold on me was brief but desperately needed.

“Where’d you take us?” I asked, assessing our surroundings. The new tunnel we teleported to was much wider and taller than the first.

“Up,” he answered. “The sound of the basilisk seemed to be coming from above our heads, and since we scaled down the cliffside as far as we did, I assessed that it was the safest place to take us.”

“Again, lucky break?”

“I wouldn’t say that just yet,” Dax replied.

Looking around, I could see why. This was an enclosed chamber, possibly an old magma pimple or bubble with slits in the rocks just large enough to slip through, leading to other tunnels that seemed to have no end in sight.

“At least it’s brighter in here,” Daxton said. “Or my eyes are somehow adjusting?”

“We must be approaching the magma chamber. The intense heat can create a glowing effect.” I ran my hand along the curve of the opening, the ceiling of it just out of my reach. “What do you think this place is?” I asked.

“You want my honest opinion?”

“Maybe.” I cringed.

“A cage.”

Shit. He was right.

“These rocks over here are warmer to the touch, Spitfire. This opening may lead to the den we have been looking for.”

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