Tightening my mental sound snare, I slide off my iron ring and tuck it in my pocket, shaking out my hands as I push down the fluttery feeling in my chest.
Fucking nerves. Leave me alone.
I set my foot on a low lip, wedge my fingertips against a higher one, repeat with my other hand. Finally putting all my weight on my left foot, I set my right in place, getting a feel for having my full weight on the pillar’s steep face.
Not bad.
Maybe I won’t die after all.
I propel up, replant my foot, then reach for another lip.Repeat. Finding a steady rhythm that becomes smooth and seamless the higher I climb.
Time becomes unfathomable, all my focus homed on the placement of my boots and fingertips, the movement of my limbs. On pulling deep and slow breaths that keep my pulse tempered.
I don’t look down, quietly aware that the snow’s no longer falling. Trying to remember a single gust of wind against my cheek since I began my climb. Smiling, I reach for another lip, finding peace in my belief that Clode and Rayne are encouraging me with their silence. Doing what they can to save me from a deathly plummet.
If only Clode knew what I have in mind for her, she wouldn’t be treating me with such grace.
But that’s a problem for Later-Raeve.Present-Raeve just wants to make it to the top without a hitch.
Preferablyun-masticated.
My lungs and legs burn with equal might as I finally reach the heavy cloud, stilling to recompose myself and shake out my aching hand. My other one. While I work to stretch the welling cramp from my fingers, I dare a peek at the village below … and instantly regret it.
The river is a vibrant streak through the white terrain, the villagers mere specks of sand in the streets.
This was a terrible idea.
I draw a calming breath and reach into the cloud’s fluffy underbelly, hunting for a lip. With my next pull up, I’m blinded, like being caught in a cushion—relying heavily on my sense of feel to find my next purchase, my next, my next, the silence cold and stiff around me.
Toocold.
A sure sign I’m getting close.
Each beat of my heart is a summoning drum as the cloud thins to lacy scraps, allowing me to finally glimpse the top. And Líri’s wispy tail dangling over the pillar’s sharp rim.
My chest grows tight at the sight.
I freeze, listen. Tune in to Líri’s smooth, rumbling breaths.
She’s asleep.
Thank the Creators.
I edge past her silky threads at a slow, careful pace, aware of how sensitive they are. Reaching up, I pause, looking from Líri’s tendrils to that silver apparition tangled around my hand, wondering—
Her tail twitches, almost slapping me in the face. Though it strikes my heartstrings with suchoomphI almost lose balance, my pulse pounding at such a speed I can barely hear my own thoughts over thewhoosh-whoosh-whooshof my rushing blood.
Too.
Fucking.
Close.
Teeth gritted, I shift farther to the right in slow, syrupy motions, gaze darting between her tail and my various options for leverage. Once I’m a safe distance away, I continue up, heart in my throat until I’m finally within reach of the pillar’s edge.
I move my left foot, settle it on the next notch—
It slates away, skittering down the side like an extra loudfuck you, Raeve!
