Page 56 of Beneath the Flames
The two of us crunched our way over the icy ground through the valley in silence after that, and when we were about halfway across, Rhydian said, “The moons are setting.We should set up camp.Eroth at night is no place for a human.”
I glanced up at the sky, studying them.“They’re setting?They literally haven’t moved.”
“Yes, they have.”Instead of explaining exactlyhowthey had moved, he pulled a bundle from inside his own coat and tossed it on the ground.Golden magic flared to life in his hands before he directed it at the bundle.
One breath.Fabric exploded in all directions before a tent was erected in an area free of lava.
Two breaths.A golden transparent ring stretched around the perimeter of the tent, and I watched in awe as the lava that had slowly been creeping toward us receded, the light effectively keeping it away.
Three breaths.Two bedrolls unrolled themselves inside, followed by a basket which, based on the smell, contained food.
At the sight, my stomach gurgled and my legs felt so weak I could barely stand.
A fire erected itself outside the tent, and I hurried to stand next to it, letting out a sigh of relief at the blessed warmth.
In a few quick breaths, Rhydian had set up an entire camp for us, proving that his golden death rays were notjustdeath rays.
“Wait,” I said, a sudden realization making me uneasy.I hesitantly met his gaze, feeling heat spread in my cheeks.“There’s one tent.”
“Yes.”
I balked.“I have to sleep in there withyou?”
Rhydian’s lips twitched.“Is that a problem?”
My mouth opened but nothing came out.I wanted to say that yes, it was a huge problem, that I didn’t want to sleep anywhere near him.I’d rather risk staying in the freezing cold with the lava surrounding us than spend a single night sleeping next tohim.
But the words wouldn’t come out, frozen on my tongue.
Because a small part of me—a very small part—was somewhat curious.I was desperate to know more about Rhydian, to understand him and this place, and maybe this was a way to do that.
I definitely would not be sleeping when my entire body was shivering like this anyway.I’d be lucky to survive the night at all.
Maybe survival wouldn’t be so hard ifyou were wrapped in his arms for warmth.
Shut up, Maren,I snapped at myself.
Patting my coat and mimicking where he pulled out the tent from his own, I asked, “Don’t you have a second tent hiding in there?”
“Afraid not.”I swore there was a glimmer in Rhydian’s eyes.My cheeks grew hotter.
“I’m not sleeping in there with you,” I declared, pointing at the tent that looked far too inviting after walking for hours.
Rhydian glanced around before throwing his arms out to the sides.“It doesn’t appear as though you have much of a choice.Unless you feel like making this your last night alive.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, wishing in vain that it would stave off the chill seeping through my coat.Eyeing the tent once more, I thought through my options.Or really, my only option.
As much as I hated to admit it, Rhydian was right.If I didn’t spend the night in the tent, if the lava didn’t find a waythrough his magic to kill me, then the cold certainly would.
I sniffled, my nose frozen and in danger of getting frostbite at this point, and met Rhydian’s gaze that was almost as cold as the air.
“Fine.But I want you as far from me as possible.”
Rhydian lifted his hands in surrender.“Don’t worry, Maren.I won’t come near you.”He paused, an infuriating smirk lighting his face.“Unless you ask.”
I rolled my eyes.“Believe me, there will be no asking.”
“We’ll see.”
