Page 215 of The Lands Defying
We go deep into the forest, getting closer to the cliffs on the east side. I think maybe this is a new game we are playing, but when I reach the treeline and step in front of a waterfall. I realize where we are.
Solvier’s cave. This was his favorite one behind the waterfall.
Why did this wisp bring me here?
It slows, and I walk toward it, following as we round the pool of water, taking a path up and behind the waterfall.
The rushing of water is all I hear for a few moments as I pass the side of it, my face getting wet. Once inside, the water covering my back, all that greets me is a single glow of the wisp.
“What is it that you wanted me to see?” I follow blindly as it moves further inside.
I haven’t been in here much, and even then it was just at the entrance, never wanting to encroach on Solvier’s den.
We go through a tunnel or two, my hand on the sides of the walls to guide me when we eventually come out into a larger cave, and I gasp at the space.
It’s huge. Stalagmite forms are everywhere, some tunnels leading off here and there, and I look to the lines of light that pierce down from above.
I never knew this was here.
A glow at my face has my attention turning to the wisp, and I continue to follow, careful of my steps on the uneven ground. When it guides me to an edge, I look down in shock.
“What…”
The wisp heads down, and I look carefully for a path. Seeing one to the side, I look behind me, wondering if Darius can even find me and then I shake my head.
That male would be able to find me anywhere.
Walking down the path, I realize it’s slowly turning into steps. Lips parting, I watch as the full building comes into view.
The white arches are chipped, dirty and breaking away, and most of the walls are crumbled, but I know what it is instantly.
A place of worship.
“Rhea?!” Speaking of the male.
“Down here!” I call, never once taking my eyes off what’s in front of me. Runa is at my side in an instant, and I stroke her back before calling her inside of me.
“Fucking Gods, little wolf,” I hear behind me. “Why did you decide to wander off on your own? I know Drax well enough to know that he wanted me to follow Runa, but didn’t you stop to realize that seeing her without you made me think something had happened? Do you want me to go mad—”
He stops when he looks up to see what I’m seeing.
“I didn’t mean to worry you, Dar. The wisp brought me here and I didn’t want to risk losing it.” I guide a tendril to his hand and wrap around it. His power instantly coats mine, never taking his eyes off of the structure.
“Wait for me next time.” He tilts his head, eyes roaming the building. “Is this…?”
“Yes,” I say, reaching for his hand and pulling him toward the building.
We walk over the crumbled walls, and Darius eyes the roof like it’s about to cave-in at any second, creating a barrier above our heads for safety.
It looks like there were once tapestries hanging from the walls. All that’s left of them now are rotting material, you can’t evenmake out what was on them. Pillars stand tall, thick and strong and I have to wonder how long this has been here.
Entering another room, this must have been a bath before humans invented what we have now. Clever beings they are, but this bath is large and square, murky water now filling it.
“That could fit half of your Elites inside of it,” I tell Darius and he grunts.
“Are you saying you want to see my men naked?”
I sigh. “You are more than enough.” He nips my ear, but I can tell my answer pleases him.
