“Alright, let’s go,” Demetri finally orders.
Neither of us move. Instead, we stay pressed up against one another. Being this close reminds me just how powerful he really is. Aside from his actual power, he’s a complete weapon. A warrior, lethal in every way.
Ryder doesn’t drop his shadows until he’s sure they’re gone. When he finally does, I can still barely see him. Without their light the cave is almost pitch black.
“It’s safe,” Ryder assures.
I give it another minute for good measure before igniting a large flame in the palm of my hand. The area immediately lights with a warm hue.
“That was close,” I admit, finally allowing myself to relax just a little.
“Yeah. Sorry about that, but I had to act fast.”
“I’m glad you did. I don’t want to know what would’ve happened if they had found us.”
“It wouldn’t have been good.”
“For them you mean…”
Ryder shrugs. “It would’ve gotten messy if they didn’t return to the kingdom, so it’s for the best they didn’t find us.”
“Now what do we do?”
“Well now that they’re gone, I can do this.”
Every rock and boulder levitate into the air. I gasp, forgetting how much he can do with his power.
“Wow! This makes it a lot easier to search through.”
“My father was sure the scepter was here, so I want to do one more sweep using my power.”
I agree and the two of us begin looking around again. I light several fires throughout the cave as we go. Between the extra light and his power, it’s a lot easier to see everything. As we work through each area, there’s still no scepter to be found.
“Wait, what’s over here?” I walk forward, noticing a crack in the cave wall. “I think there’s more through here.”
Ryder takes a look through the crack for himself. “I think you’re right.”
“Okay,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Let’s go.”
He looks down at me with furrowed brows.
“I can’t vaporate within the wards.”
“Oh.” I remove my arms and my face instantly heats with embarrassment.
“If Demetri had brought the wards completely down, I’d be able to, but he only cut a hole through them.”
“I see.” I keep my eyes trained on the crack, so he doesn’t see just how red my cheeks surely are. “I think I can fit through.” I start to slip my leg into the break in the wall, but Ryder pulls me back.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asks in an accusatory tone.
“I’m doing what we came here to do, and that’s search every inch of these caves.”
“You don’t know what’s on the other side,” he argues, still holding onto my wrist.
“Exactly. For all we know the scepter could be just on the other side of this cave.”
“If something happens, I won’t be able to get to you.” He suddenly looks concerned for my well-being. It might be endearing if it wasn’t so inconvenient.
