“What are you looking for?”
“It’s been a while since I stashed it…”
“Stashedwhat?”
“Ah.” There’s the distinct scrape of a stone being overturned. “Here it is.”
A second later, I blink at the sudden flare of light as he strikes a match. The sharp smell of sulfur fills the narrow stone passage, swirling around us. Carter’s face is a study of light and shadow as he holds the flame against a candle wick.
“Let there be light,” he murmurs when the candle is burning brightly.
“How did you know that was there?”
“I’m the one who left it.”
“So you been up there before?” I jerk my chin vaguely upward.
He scoffs. “Who do you think found this place? The turret was my hideout long before Henry or Alden ever claimed it.”
“Oh. I didn’t know that.”
His eyes are on mine again. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
My lips part, but all that comes out is a shaky exhale of air.
Carter sighs. “Just start climbing, Emilia. We have a lot of stairs to cover and I don’t have all night for this charade.”
Nodding, I turn my back on him and face the cobwebbed spiral of steps. The air is stale from lack of circulation; it smells vaguely like mildew. There’s no insulation to line these walls, so it’s also colder than an icebox. I hear the faint whistle of the wind outside, even through the thick stone, and know it’s only going to be colder at the top.
Carter’s murmur is mocking. “Last chance to turn back…”
Ignoring his taunt, I set my shoulders, suck in a deep breath, and take my first steps. They’re old and uneven, treacherous even in good lighting. With only the flickering candle to see by, our ascent is achingly slow.
We don’t speak. I don’t know what Carter’s thinking, and I don’t dare look back to read his expression. I’m still in shock that he followed me from my suite; further, that he actually agreed to climb the turret with me. Most of the time, he can’t wait to get out of my presence.
What’s different about tonight?I can’t help wondering.Why is he suddenly willing to spend time with me again?
Half of me is convinced this is all a dream. That any moment, I’ll snap awake in my bed and realize this surreal climb was just the product of an overactive imagination.
Please, tell me it’s not a dream.
Tell me we’re done being mortal enemies.
Tell me we can stop existing in strained silence.
More than once, I bobble on a rough step, but Carter is always there, his free hand catching me before I can even begin to fall. I murmur haltingthank yous into stagnant air and keep climbing, unsure whether my rapid breaths are from physical exertion or emotional turmoil.
After a small eternity, we finally reach the top. I push through the wooden door, step out into the frigid night… and gasp at the magical sight that awaits me. A galaxy of stars is spread out overhead, so close I feel like I could brush the surface of the moon with the tips of my fingers.
Laughing with awe, I rush to the far railing and lean out, my eyes feasting on the view. Thanks to the breeze, there are no clouds to obscure the many constellations or the lights of Vasgaard far below us. The omnipresent range of mountains looms in the distance, too dark to see despite the bright starlight.
“This is so beautiful!” I squeal, breath puffing in the cold air. I’m grinning like a little kid, a rush like I haven’t felt in ages setting off fireworks inside me. I spin around, looking for Carter, wanting to see if he’s appreciating this as much as I am…
I jolt to an abrupt stop.
He’s standing directly behind me. The candle still in his hands, but it’s blown out in the wind. There’s a soft, almost tender look on his face I’ve never seen before. Except… his eyes are on me, not the stars.
My smile falters when he sets the candle carefully down at his feet, then vanishes off my face altogether when he straightens to full height and steps toward me.