Page 83 of Alien Prince's Claim

I would live through the pain at the thought of Emily suffering at the Goblars’ claws.

If she was taken, if terrible things happened to her, then I would live with the pain for the rest of my life as penance.

It would never be enough to make up for it.

And when I passed away in decrepit old age, my soul and heart shriveled to the size of a morat, I would only then finally pass into death and receive sweet relief.

But I was in the here and now and the future was in my hands at this very moment.

So long as I did well by Emily, so long as I followed through with my commitment, she would be safe.

And so, I dragged the bed behind me, listening every few minutes to the sound of Emily as she crawled behind us, taking some relief that she was still there.

I hated that I could not reach her, could not touch her unless I smashed the bed — and its occupant — to pieces, which I would do if those Goblars managed to get to her.

Nothing would stop me, not even Cayah.

I followed him as he crawled through the tunnels, going at a shuffling, but fairly quick pace.

He did not say a word and I simply listened as he shuffled down one tunnel after another.

I followed the noises he made, not any directions he might have spoken.

Corners were tricky with the bed in tow.

I had to reach back and grab its frame and yank it directly behind me.

The corners were tight and there was only just enough space to turn.

As the minutes rolled past, the stench of stagnant water filled my nostrils.

I pushed through it and continued in the Sny’at’s wake.

Sometimes we came to a stop.

The first time it happened, I looked ahead to see what the holdup was.

Then I heard grumbles, the ugly snap of the Goblars talking to each other, or fighting, above us and on either side.

I realized just how close they were.

That had to be the reason why Cayah had chosen silence and not issued directions.

Then, after a few moments had passed, Cayah would begin crawling forward again.

Sweat ran the length of my body, dripping and running down my back and arms.

None of it mattered.

All that mattered was getting closer to leaving.

All the time we were down the tunnels, another minute ticked down, closer to preventing any chance the Goblars could torture Emily.

And so, as dismal as the surroundings were, it was another minute well spent.

It occurred to me then that we could stay down there longer, could reduce the countdown until the Goblars gave up the chase, but with the threat of flooding at any time, I didn’t think it was a good idea.

Finally, I heard a different sound.

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