Page 41 of Death and Donuts

By the twentieth staircase, I could barely lift my feet to the next step despite seeing signs that we were getting closer to the royal family. The opulence had grown exponentially. Even the stairs were encrusted with jewels.

“Are you okay, Everly?” Cross asked as I stumbled on a sparkly step.

I blew out a breath and held the stitch in my side. “How much longer until we get there?”

“It’s only a dozen staircases more,” Tryn said.

I groaned. “Just leave me here. Come get me on your way out.”

“I’ll carry you,” Cross said.

“You’re too old,” Shepard teased. “You’ll throw out your back. I’ll carry you, Everly.”

“And I’m sure your youth is what attracted Effora,” Cross said with a grin. “But let’s not argue in the mountain. Shall we settle this the way the young do? Have you ever heard of Rock, Paper, Scissors?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Shepard said.

“I’ll take that as a yes–unless you want to forfeit.”

Shepard growled but held out his fist.

Cross held out his as well. “Begin.”

Their hands blurred in motion for what seemed to be too long for a standard game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. Tryn looked on in the same confusion.

“You’re cheating,” Shepard said.

“I never cheat. I’m only faster than you.”

“Stop,” I said, realizing they could see what the other was doing because they were so fast. “Face back to back.” I didn’t care that they were playing the most ridiculous game two ring-bearers could play. It allowed me to rest for a minute.

Both men pivoted away from each other.

“Try not to get frisky,” Cross said when their butts accidentally brushed together.

I didn’t hear what Shepard muttered back, but it made Cross grin.

“Get ready,” I said. “Go.”

I looked at both their hands. “Cross wins with scissors to paper.”

Cross squatted down in front of me, offering his back, and I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his hips.

As he stood and walked past Shepard, he said, “Don’t worry. You still have Effora.”

“I will kill you,” Shepard muttered.

“I heard you lack the penetration to see the deed done.”

The dwarven guard made a choked sound and turned away. I lightly swatted Cross' shoulder.

“Behave. Remember where you are.”

Shepard shot Cross a smug look and continued after the guard.

Cross clasped my legs, and I was acutely aware of his wandering fingers as he ascended each one of the remaining twelve meandering staircases.

My legs ached as he eased me to my feet outside a set of closed golden doors sentineled by another two dozen golden guards.

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