Page 103 of Reckless
“Whatever that is that’s shining up there.” When he doesn’t respond, I reach behind to grab his jaw, stubble biting into my fingers as I turn his face in the right direction.
“Thanks for the help.” I feel his mumble against my hand. “It’s pretty high up. Which one of us is going to climb up there and—”
I’m already swinging my leg over the saddle. “Thanks to you, both of us have to go,darling.” I draw out his favorite word, making him chuckle as I rattle the chain between us. “You and your fear of heights have to come along.”
I hear the smile in his voice as he drops down beside me, swiftly tying the horse to a jutting branch. “Yes, I can imagine that you and your fear of horses are terribly sad to be getting a break from thebeast.”
“If only I could get a break from you,” I say sweetly over my shoulder. The towering rocks loom overhead, swallowing us in shadow. There are more trees scattered around in this cluster of stones than I’ve seen since setting off into the Sanctuary.
“This way,” I say, staring up at the shining something. The trunk of a massive tree weaves up from between the stones, creating a sturdy foothold. My fingers curl around the rough bark of a branch beside my head, and with sore muscles straining, I slowly start the climb upward. Kai trails close behind, following the path of foot- and handholds I found.
I’m nearly level with the top of the stone beside me, stretching to see over it.
The tip of a bow juts between the rocks, its bronze cap blinding in the sun.
My face splits into a grin.
“Can you reach it yet?” Kai calls from beneath me.
“Yeah,” I breathe. “I got it.” As I lean against the rock, my fingers brush the length of the bow before I’m straining to free it. When the weapon leaps from the rock, I nearly fall from the tree I’m clinging to. “Found our bow,” I pant.
“Too bad you won’t be allowed to use it.”
I sling the bow across my back. “Why? Your ego can’t handle that I’m a better shot?”
“It’s not my ego I’m worried about you wounding,” he says smoothly. “It’s the rest of me.”
“Deadweight, remember?”
I’m about to start climbing down the stone when my gaze snags on what glints behind it.
I still, sweaty hands slipping and heart racing.
I don’t hesitate before stretching a foot onto the stone and slowly convincing the rest of my limbs to follow. Kai sighs, not budging below me. “Care to explain why you’re climbing over the rock if you already got the bow?”
“Because,” I pant, “you’ll never believe what is hiding back here.” I’m on top of the boulder now and making my way down the back side. The chain tightens between us, stalling my progress. “Come on, Azer. At least try to keep up with me.”
“It’s not as though I have a choice, Gray.”
The chain loosens as he begins to climb, allowing me to ungracefully slide down the short back of the stone and onto the plush grass below.
I blink at the beauty I’m beholding.
It’s like a hidden world; a piece of perfection.
A grove of drooping trees sprouts from a bed of soft grass, their branches tangling together as though they’ve been holding hands for decades. Large roots break through the earth to weave between the vibrant foliage encircling the most beautiful thing of all.
A sparkling pool shimmers in the center of the scene, rippling each time a soft breeze blows through. Plants crowd the water to soak their leaves and bathe in the sinking sun.
This place is peace itself.
Kai is suddenly beside me, marveling at the masterpiece before us. “It’s no wonder the bandits claimed this place.”
“It’s breathtaking.” I sit beside the edge of the pool, dipping a finger into the cool water. “And so… out of place.”
He joins me, examining the plants at our feet. “I’m sure this was here long before the Sanctuary of Souls became the burial road it is today.”
I look over at him before my eyes trail back to the beauty beyond. “It seems the ‘Sanctuary of Souls’ had a very different meaning back then. Back when the first queen was buried here. It wasn’t menacing—it was sacred. A place where the souls celebrated.”
