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ADONE
We left the mud pit behind and took on two more legs of this test, one climbing a wall with segments that shifted up and down to slow us, the other a long ledge with a big drop where we had to use only our hands to make our way across.
By the time we stood on the platform with only the final stretch left, I could tell Summer was nearing collapse. She fed me a soft smile that said she’d find the strength to keep going, and I couldn’t love her more for trying.
Tugging her into my arms, I held her.
“We need to finish,” she said breathlessly. “The sun—”
“We can take a few ticks to catch our breath. Rest, mate. Know that when we finish, we will savor a long break together.”
She tipped her head back to look up at me. “This morning, I couldn’t wait to be done so we could be together. Nothing personal, but all I want to do now is soak in a hot tub, have a massage, and then get a long night’s rest. Oh, and almost kill for a big pitcher of water along with a meal and a full glass of wine that’s the size of my head.”
I couldn’t deliver any of that, but—
“Your massage is waiting,” I said, stroking her back. “I will rub every bit of your body, then follow it up with my tongue.”
“I do like your tongue.”
I grinned. No matter what happened next, we had this moment. This bond we’d formed between us. It would sustain us for the rest of our lives, be that a short or a long span of time.
She stepped back, tension knitting her forehead. “I’m going to hold you to it.” I could tell she struggled to smile. “No matter what happens next, I’m glad I got to spend this time with you, Adone.”
“We will win.” I braced her arms and stared into her eyes. “You are strong and smart, and you have the courage of three hearts.”
Her smile loosened. “So do you, mate.”
It warmed me through that she called me mate. Would we survive long enough to find a good ending? I would do all I could to make it happen.
She turned and eased around the barrier. “One left, and the sun’s still shinin’.”
Not much, but enough to hold us until we completed this final task.
“Oh, look,” she said, pointing. “Tumbles is waiting on the next platform.”
As if he heard her, he rolled back and forth in excitement, yipping.
Wait, it wasn’t excitement. I took in the area we had to cross.
Tumbles yipped in warning.
