Page 56 of Ties of Shadow

I could agree with that sentiment. I double-checked my bags to be sure I had the queen’s potions, the snacks, the attack and sleep potions, and a carrier for my light box as I spoke. “Run to the castle. Drop off the potions. Race back home.” I stood and grabbed my tea saucer before the pangolin could take it from me, then pushed in my chair. I paused. “I’m sure there’s no way I can see her when we arrive, right?I know that’s foolish and dangerous, but…” My nail scratched on my palm. “Maybe we could make sure she’s okay?”

The Shade took a slow drink before setting his cup into the waiting racoon’s paws. Those who were going gathered their items and made their way through. “It is dangerous.” I nodded, my eyes burning even though I had known the answer. “But it isn’t foolish. It’s kindness.”

My throat clogged, and I swallowed past the ache.

“I cannot promise we can stop, Dayspring.”

I waved a hand airily, casting about for a look of indifference. “But if we can…”

He stopped in the hall and took my hand in his, tails of leather from his bracelet tickling my wrist. The backs of my fingers could feel the warmth through his shirt and the beat of his heart. My eyes traced the fine tailored vest to his towering neck before fixing upon his chin. It was too frightening to look as high as his lips…or his eyes. When he lifted my hand and pressed his lips to my palm, I looked away, the mark on my neck burning as hot as an iron brand. I wished he could feel the same. My cheeks flushed, and tingles ran up my arm.

“I promise. If we can stop, we will.”

His hand lingered, and he tugged on my fingertips as I stepped back.Mine.The word rumbled through me, possessive and hungry, but also safe and…well, it was nice to be wanted. I almost worried if he would want me when I was no longer helpful to him. But I knew better…or at least hoped…maybe he actually wanted me for me.

“I know what I want, Dayspring.”His green gaze penetrated too deep.

I was afraid of what I wanted. Afraid of the attraction. Afraid of what it would mean to commit to one person. Even if he didn’t have a matching bond mark, and even if that thing on my neck was mine, Iwas afraid because I liked him so very much. That kind of vulnerability was terrifying.

We made our way up the stairs. Three wolves, two raccoons, three bats, a honey badger, and a pangolin all waited by the gaping maw of the spyring tunnel. Uncle Koll and the Shade donned their packs, and a smaller bear with a white face and black rings around its eyes helped me into the mine. A pangolin passed me a lit lantern; her long claws patted my hand gently before she bumbled away on all fours. The family of skunks clustered under the racerbristles, and the room became uneasy and quiet. Even clearing the nerves from my throat seemed to startle everyone.

“I shall remain here to protect the manor, Master.”Jamison bowed his head to his chest, as the Shade bowed back.

“Be sure you do.”

He passed me the precious bag of potions, which I strapped over my shoulder. I’d already tied a bag of sleeping draughts and one of sleeping potions around my waist. He looked about the room, smiled at the lot, then climbed through the opening.

“Alright, Lady A, after you, if you please.” Uncle Koll gently tugged at my elbow, guiding me forward.

The cavern was entirely too dark. “Perhaps you and the Shade should just go ahead without me.”

“And let you miss the excitement? Perish the thought, young one.”

“Boring is nice too.”

He smiled warmly at me. “Mankind was not made for boredom but for risks. The right risk at the right time is worth all the stars in the skies.”

I stepped onto the rocky earth, clutching the glass square of light like a lifeline. My heart pounded against my ribcage, desperate to return to my safe room and my safe bed. I wasn’t brave or courageous.

A cool shadow wrapped around my hand and tugged gently.“You do have a choice, Aelia. But I know you can do this. And I’m here with you.”The shadow tugged again.“One step, Aelia. That is the key. One step, and then another.”

“It’s dark,” I whined, embarrassed at my whimper.

“I am the dark,” he whispered back. A shiver threaded up my spine.“You do not need to fear me. Together.”

One step. Then another. Down the tunnel. Into the gloom and darkness and rot and webs. One step and a thousand more. And then, we would save the queen. Together.

Chapter twenty-three

Caverns and Chaos

The rocks were slick. I slipped down the narrow tunnel, stumbling at times, ducking at others to protect my face from the wayward webs. My courage wavered, but a gentle clink from the precious package of potions bid me onward. The thread of shadow still held my hand while the lightbox showed the way brilliantly. But beyond the reach of the light, the cavern was darker than black. The sounds of the cave expanded until we all stood in a large atrium. The sounds of dripping echoed down several endless passages. My back ached as I stood upright, and I shook the remaining spiderwebs off.

The wolves stood at attention facing away from us humans in the center. They sniffed, their ears turning and twitching, then they all rested back on their haunches. From a distant corner, a pale, ugly cat slunk into view and joined the team. Bertha had returned for the adventure.

“Good to go then,” the Shade said as he pulled out his map, then indicated with his hand. “To the left, if you please.” The Shade offered his elbow, and I took it, grateful for the grounding touch. The cavern was just small enough that the edges of light caught on shining mineral veins, which threaded through the gray stones, while the distant walls remaineddark and hazy. My eyes constantly tricked me into believing that there was movement along the walls at the edge of the light.

We walked quietly, the crunching sound of sand on stone the only noise as our group traveled underground. Nothing stirred. Soon, between the fatigue and the boredom, the walls became only walls, and the sounds mere murmurs of a sleeping mountain. No creatures attacked, and my tension loosened.

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