Page 54 of Beneath the Flames
“It’s always beencold,but not quite like this.Each year seems to get a bit worse, but with the Magmara so close to withering now, everydayit gets a little colder too.You can thank the curse for that,” he threw over his shoulder.
Why would anyone choose to live here?At least back home the sun came out from time to time to make it slightly less miserable, but here it was only those unmoving moons casting just enough light to see by.
“How am I supposed to climb a volcano in the dark?”I muttered, though with how far ahead Rhydian was, I doubted he heard me.
But then he smirked over his shoulder.“You’ll get used to it.”
So very helpful, thank you.
“I think you’re forgetting I’m a human,” I retorted.
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten,” he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.His pace slowed the tiniest amount, allowing my tired legs to catch up to him for the time being.At least until he got annoyed by my slowness and rushed ahead again.
Rhydian showed no indication of being freezing like I was, other than that the tip of his nose was the tiniest bit red.Was he simply used to living in these conditions?Or did the Fae have some sort of immunity to the cold?
The crunching of our boots and the quiet whoosh of ourbreaths as we trudged on filled the silence that settled between us.Even if we wanted to talk, it was far too cold, and it was better to save our energy for the climb ahead.
How on earth was I ever going to climb a volcano?Would it be like a really steep hike?Or would I literally be trying to find handholds and footholds, rock-climbing style?
And then there was the matter of the lava.I peered side to side uneasily.
The Scorching Rivers surrounded us in every direction, but as promised, Rhydian kept them away, using his magic whenever the lava strayed too close.
He had claimed that they had a mind of their own, but how could lava be sentient?But what point would there be to lie about that?It wasn’t like I was going to willingly go near something that could kill me.
I didn’t miss the irony of those words as I picked up the pace to be closer to Rhydian after the lava suddenly oozed quicker in my direction.
Though I never thought I’d say the words “I was thankful for Rhydian,” honestly, right now I was very thankful for him.Without his smug-faced, magic-wielding body leading me through the valley toward my doom, I would have already died—probably the moment I left the castle grounds.
“Don’t worry,” Rhydian said, pulling me from my thoughts.He was watching me, the tiniest curl to his lips giving away his amusement.“I won’t let the scary lava get you.”
I was about to open my mouth to ask if he was sure about that when my clunky boot hit a rock I couldn’t see in the dark and I went flying forward.I braced for impact—maybe even death if the lava moved fast enough—but before I could make contact with the ground, strong hands snatched me around the waist, halting my downfall.
“Clumsy, are we?”Rhydian crooned, warm breath tickling against my skin.
Heat smothered my face, and for once, I was thankful for the dark.“I’m trying to walk outsidein the darkin boots that are too big!Of course I’m clumsy.”
Rhydian’s laugh was a soft huff in my ear, and I fervently tried to squash the thought that I liked the sound of it, and the resulting flutter in my stomach.
At least he couldn’t hearthatthought.Hopefully he couldn’tfeelit either.
“You can let go of me now,” I snapped, noting how warm his hands were even through the thick coat I was wearing.A part of me—a very, very small part—wanted him to continue holding me just because the sudden warmth his body was giving me was delicious and life-giving.
And that’s the only reason.
“You’re welcome for saving you,” he chided before releasing his hold on me.
I bit my tongue to keep from asking him to continue holding me so I could warm up a little.
Rhydian waved a hand forward, gesturing for me to go on ahead.
“Why don’tyoulead the way?”I asked.“You were doing such a good job already.Easier to forget a human is behind you when you keep miles ahead.”I hoped he could hear the snarkiness in my tone.
Rhydian shoved his hands into his pockets.“My apologies for making sure nothing stalked the path ahead before you stumbled upon it with your clumsy feet.”His lips tilted up into a half-smile, and for a second, it was like I was spellbound.I couldn’t look away.
Stop it, Maren.So what ifhe’s attractive when he smiles?He’s the reasonyou’re going to die soon—either from climbing a volcano, the Scorching Rivers, or freezing to death.
At the unamused scowl on my face, Rhydian suddenly barked out a laugh, his mouth transforming into the first full smile I’d seen on him, and it startled me enough that I froze in my tracks, my shivering body stopping entirely.Rhydian instantly sobered, glancing around, looking for a threat.
