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“By the Three, they’ll be pissed,” Lancelet said gloomily. “I’m not looking forward to it. I don’t know who will be worse to deal with, Guinevere or Hawl.”
I stepped towards her and, gripping her shoulders, pulled her into a tight embrace before she could resist. “I love you. You fucking know that, right?”
I felt her nod against me. “I know.”
“Be happy. That’s all I...” I stopped, my throat closing up. “Be happy. You deserve it.”
And then I turned and walked towards the stone steps and the Black Mountain for the second time that night.
CHAPTER 31 - MORGAN
“You knew it was here,” Draven said from behind me as I stood before the door, looking at the intricate tracework. “You knew when we were all trying to figure it out. Yet you said nothing.”
I didn’t reply, simply lifted both my hands and pressed them flat against the stone.
“What’s happening to you, Morgan? Talk to me.”
I closed my eyes, feeling a needlelike pressure in my palms. I held them steady, knowing pulling back now would mean my death.
Then my hands were pulled even tighter against the stone. I was locked in a vise. I couldn’t have yanked myself away even if I’d wanted to.
“What’s happening?” Draven’s voice had turned sharp. “What’s it doing to you?”
“Just... wait.” I could hear the strain in my voice. “Please.”
It hurt. I didn’t want him to know how much.
He was quiet. I saw him put a hand on his hilt. But he made no move to touch me or draw his sword.
I took a deep breath, then another, waiting, waiting.
And then the pressure was gone. I pulled my hands away.
“Fucking hell, Morgan,” Draven swore, grabbing my wrists and turning my palms up.
They were raw and stained with blood.
“What did it do to you?”
But the answer was evident. My blood had opened the mountain.
Behind me, the stone panels were sliding apart, revealing the mountain’s dark interior.
I heard a shout. Far down below us, some kind of commotion was occurring.
I looked down at our campsite by the lake and could just make out two struggling forms. Guinevere was awake.
“We have to go now,” I said tightly. “Ask me later.”
“Morgan,” I heard Guinevere call. “Stop! Please!”
I pulled my hands away and slid between the panels. There was just enough room for Draven and I.
“Morgan, stop! I need to speak with you first! I need to tell you...”
I forced myself to shut out the sound of Guinevere’s pleading. I told myself there was nothing I could do now. She was safe with Lancelet. They couldn’t pass through the doorway, even if they tried.
The mountain wouldn’t let them.
