Page 33 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

All the rigorous training has been exhausting me daily. Nights have only been for rest, not intimacy. Yet, every dawn, I find myself cocooned in Colton’s embrace. It’s a silent agreement between us — seeking each other in the night, yet never acknowledging it by day.

The past weeks have been focused, driven. I feel empowered, ready, and equipped for whatever comes next. For whatever awakening my dark magic brings.

I reach down, picking up a stick. It’s already been a long day, and the setting sun is mesmerizing. Positioned perfectly at the edge of the clearing, it starts its descent, casting a golden hue over everything. The red leaves appear as if they’ve been set ablaze, their colors intensified by the sun’s glow. Long shadows stretch across the vast expanse. Our own secluded clearing in the dense forest, away from prying eyes where Colton and I like to train together.

Colton stands a few paces away, his green eyes locking onto mine, that familiar, playful challenge evident. “Think you can surprise me today?”

I smirk, twirling the stick I’ve picked up for our spar. “I always do.”

In a flash, he lunges. But I’ve grown. I’ve learned. Anticipating him, I duck and spin, my movements more fluid than before. “Too slow,” I tease, poking him with the tip of my stick.

His eyebrow arches. “Impatient, are we?” He pauses. “Ready for a different kind of challenge?” There’s a hint of mischief unmistakable in his voice.

I raise an eyebrow. “Always. What have you got in mind?”

Without responding, he waves a hand, and suddenly there are three Coltons standing before me, each wearing a cocky grin. I stifle a laugh. “Really? The old multiple illusion trick again?”

The middle Colton chuckles. “Thought I’d give it another whirl. See if you can determine which one is real.”

The Colton on the left winks. “Pick wisely, my little enchantress.”

The one on the right stretches and cracks his knuckles. “Unless you want to owe me another favor.”

I roll my eyes playfully, circling the three of them. “Okay, let me think. Which one of you is the real, overconfident Faery boy.”

Each of them begins to move, adopting different stances. Left Colton starts to dance playfully, making me laugh. Middle Colton is trying to look serious, attempting to throw me off, while right Colton is merely flexing his muscles exaggeratedly. Taking a deep breath and concentrating, I reach out with my senses, feeling the undercurrents of magic. But I decide to play along. With a dramatic sigh, I say, “This is too hard. Maybe I should just…” In a swift motion, I launch a small burst of flames toward the right Colton, who dissipates into thin air.

The left one claps. “Nice try! But you still haven’t found the real me.” Using the element of surprise to my advantage, I spin around and launch my stick at the middle Colton, and it passes right through him. He laughs his illusion fading, leaving the dancing Colton. “Got me. That was impressive.”

“You know,” I tease, walking up to him, “for someone who can make copies of himself, you’re not very good at hiding your true self.”

He pulls me close, his breath tickling my ear. “Maybe I didn’t want to hide from you.”

I seize the moment to catch him off guard, sweeping his feet from beneath him. He’s too slow to react, but in a twist he grips me, dragging me down alongside him. His back crashes against the dirt, and I land squarely atop him. Our laughter intertwines with our heavy breaths, echoing through the forest. Slowly, I shift, lying beside him, our gazes fixed on the twilight sky. I let my hand brush against his, finding solace in the touch.

Our bond is evolving. While Colton has kept a respectful distance, most of the time since the night I basically threw myself at him, his protective instincts and playful flirtations are evident. We might label what this is as friendship, but a gut feeling tells me there’s an underlying current suggesting something deeper is budding between us.

“How much longer do you think we should stay here?” I ask.

“We can sleep here if you want, but I imagine it’s going to get colder as it gets later,” Colton says, chuckling softly. I elbow his shoulder and turn onto my side to face him. “I’m being serious.”

“We can leave Zomea whenever you want. This has always been your decision. I’m just along for the ride.” He turns his head to look at me. I mean, I have been enjoying my time in Zomea, but it’s been exhausting, and I want to go back to Eguina. I don’t really want to go to Tempest Moon and face the council yet. I don’t even know if I’m ready to be a queen. I want to have fun and enjoy life a little bit before my birthday comes. Once I get my dark magic, I don’t know what changes will come with it. I’m not afraid of it like I used to be. I’ve accepted it, embraced it even. I want some time to simply be, before things change.

“What are you thinking?” Colton grazes his fingers against the back of my hand, and I look down at the movement.

“I’m thinking I’ve had enough training here. I’ve done the simulations with my father a million times, and Athalda has put me through enough wacky stuff to last a lifetime. You and I can keep training after we leave. I can keep getting stronger, working on my Fae magic, and kicking your ass from time to time.” I smirk, raising my eyes to his.

“Where do you want to go, Princess? I’ll take you anywhere you want.”

“I want you to take me to your home. I want to see the Dream Forest.” I glance around, anxious for his response. He leans in close, his lips lightly brushing my forehead. “Then let’s go tell Euric this is our last night in Zomea.”

Chapter

Thirteen

“Where do you plan to go once you cross the bridge?” my father asks from across the dinner table. Once we told him this was our last night in Zomea, until we return at least, he insisted we all have dinner together.

“I’m taking her back to Nighthold with me, at least until after her birthday. I’ll be able to make sure she’s safe if anything should go wrong when her dark magic awakens.” Colton squeezes my leg under the table, and my heart does a little flutter at the comforting touch.