Page 40 of The Onyx Covenant

“Let’s test the edge slowly,” she suggests, already moving carefully toward where the ground dropped away. “See if it’s just a small valley or a cliff. Though there shouldn’t be any big cliffs on this part of the mountains.”

“You sound very sure of that for someone who can’t see a damn thing right now.”

“I’ve studied these forests,” she says, and I can hear the priestess in her voice—confident, knowledgeable. “Part of my training. Now, get on your ass.”

“Excuse me?”

“We’re going to slide down gradually until we’re sure we’re not free-falling off a cliff,” she explains, already lowering herself to the ground. “Unless you’ve got a better idea?”

“Always so commanding,” I tease but follow her lead, sitting at the edge. “I’d forgotten how bossy you get when you’re nervous.”

“I’m not nervous,” she insists. “I’m cautious. There’s a difference.”

I grin to myself as we ease forward, testing the slope with our feet. It’s steep but not a sheer drop, maybe a forty-five-degree angle of loose soil and rocks.

“It’s not too bad,” I say, already sliding down on my backside. “Steeper than I’d like, but manageable.”

We descend slowly, testing each section with our foot before committing our weight. Eventually, the ground levels out enough that we can stand, still moving carefully.

“Stop for a bit. I need a rock,” Lyra says.

We both lean forward cautiously. I hear the soft scrape of Lyra’s movements, her fingers rustling against dirt and stone as she searches the ground near us.

“Got one,” she murmurs. I feel her knuckles accidentally brush against my thigh as she shifts position. The rope tugs at my wrist, forcing me to move with her as she repositions herself.

A light clicking sound reaches my ears as she must be rolling the rock between her palms. “This should work.”

I sense her arm tensing beside me, the subtle change in air pressure as she moves. Her shoulder presses briefly against mine before I feel her motion—the pull on our bound wrists as she throws the stone.

The silence stretches for a heartbeat—two—then a soft thud echoes back to us. Not far. Not deep.

“See?” she breathes, relief evident in her voice. “Not a cliff.”

“Never doubted you,” I lie smoothly.

“Sure you didn’t.” Her voice is dry, but I can hear the smile in it. “Now, let’s find that tree.”

We head forward, our fingers intertwined, and just being close to her leaves me grinning like an idiot. The wintermoss’s damp, mushroom-like scent grows stronger with each step.

“Tell me, Theron,” she asks out of the blue, her voice casual. “Why did you really select me as your partner in the Harvest Ritual? Was it to torment me further?”

The question hangs between us, heavy with all the things we’ve never said.

“Selfishness,” I admit truthfully. “To get you to finally talk to me, listen to me, not pretend I don’t exist.” I take a breath, the darkness of the blindfold somehow making it easier to be honest. “You’ve haunted me, Lyra. Every night. Every damn dream. I wake up reaching for you. I can’t…” My voice catches. “I can’t get you out of my head. Out of my blood.”

Her fingers tense in mine.

“I also didn’t want anyone from my pack,” I continue, the words spilling out now. “Not for this mission. Not for anything that matters.”

“Against your father’s wishes?” The surprise in her voice is genuine. “He was pissed… maybe more than mine.”

“My father is a fucking bastard,” I growl, the words dark with loathing. I don’t elaborate. “This Harvest Ritual is my way to make a difference, to stop his brutality my way.”

She’s quiet for several steps before responding.

“Like the mountain hunt last month? The one where our packs joined forces to go into the high peaks? There were those huge wild wolves, but also great game.” Her voice turns pointed. “Did you know that our pack only got a quarter of the catch, even though we had more hunters than your team?”

The question takes me by surprise. “I didn’t.” The news settles like a stone in my gut. “But it sounds exactly like something he would do.”

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