Page 174 of The Throne Seeker
The simple gesture woke something deep inside her, clawing to escape. She couldn’t help her body from leaning backward into his chest this time, strategically placing her hands on his thighs for balance.
His chin hovered over her left shoulder, lips millimeters from her ear. “Ready?” his graveled voice rumbled.
She nodded, her throat too dry to find her voice.
And so, together, they rode through the night, the dense darkness making it difficult to see much of anything. Luckily, the two moons and stars shone brightly as they traveled through the trees.
Roman hadn’t been exaggerating the distance. Even with Onyx sprinting nonstop, it still took a few hours to get there, Highland Haven left far behind them as they drove deep into the mountain range.
She couldn’t have cared less about the time as long as she got to keep the excuse of touching him.
At last, Roman told Onyx to slow down.
Rose examined the towering rocky mountainside beside them. For a moment, nothing seemed noteworthy until she noticed a large curved opening at the mountain’s base—a cave. The dark void looked even more menacing in the shadows.
“Where are we?” she asked, peering at the black pit with hesitation.
“The Infinity Pools,” he answered as the moonlight shadowed half his face. “People come from all over Vallor to see them… I can’t take you to the shores of Eristan yet, but this will do for now.”
He held out his hand to help her down, but her eyes were still fixated on the cave.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he reassured her, sensing her fear. “I promise.”
She knew he wouldn’t. And that was the only reason she stretched out her shaky hand, gripping his firm one.
The cave didn’t become any less intimidating as it swallowed them. With each step into the darkness, they left the moonlight and Onyx behind. Echoing drips filled the cave while their footsteps crunched over the loose rock beneath them. She moved closer to Roman, taking hesitant steps as her hold on his hand tightened.
Then she saw them.
In the pitch dark, soft sea-green lights illuminated the cave, scattered across the rounded walls and floor. She gaped in astonishment at the glowing rocks, all different shapes and sizes.
She rested her hand on her collarbone, her eyes drifting toward Roman, who was already watching her. He tugged her hand, encouraging her to take a closer look.
Rose obliged, approaching the wall with slow steps, her eyes fixed on the stones. She raised her hand and lightly traced the glowing rocks with her finger. Smooth and cool to the touch, they radiated a soft, comforting glow like sea-green emeralds.
Roman approached her from behind, pressing his chest against her back, while his fingers traced the same rock.
The simple gesture brought her entire body to attention.
“It’s similar to the kind of light Eristan’s landscape has,” he said next to her ear. “Most things in Eristan need sunlight to glow at night, but these rocks possess their own natural properties… It’s quite the mystery.”
Rose could scarcely concentrate on what he was saying. His rich voice stroked her very soul, making her body react in a way she wished it wouldn’t.
Or maybe she did.
“Beautiful,” she whispered, the only word she could think of, but even that didn’t do them justice.
“Wait until you see the pools.” He retook her hand, leading her further into the cave.
There her body went again. Stupid fluttering organs.
The rocks lit their way, stretching the full length of the tunnel. She stared at them as they passed, captivated by their subtle glow.
After strolling for a few minutes among the glowing rocks, they came upon the end of the tunnel, entering a vast chamber filled with seemingly endless pools of water, separated by slender rock walls, with a large pool at the center. The interconnected pools appeared to go on forever. She didn’t know where the room began or ended as the water reflected the shimmering rocks above.
She gasped, bringing a hand to her lips, parting in awe as she walked towards the sparkling water.
It was as though she was standing amongst the stars.
