They were slow-moving, thanks to the lack of light and the prince’s mortality. It would just take one misplaced step, one tumble down the ledge, and he would be gone.
Even Vivienne’s speed and her wings wouldn’t be able to save him.
The chasm seemed endlessly deep. Light didn’t exist there. It was unsurvivable.
And so, they moved carefully.
Vivienne had taken the lead when they left the broken bridge behind, and Marius was holding onto the tail of her tunic. It wasn’t glamorous, but at least this way, they wouldn’t lose each other.
Every so often, they stopped to consult the prince’s map. It was surprisingly accurate, considering that there couldn’t have been many people stupid enough to venture into such a dark and dangerous place regularly.
Or at least, it had been accurate.
Until now.
Vivienne frowned, her gaze swinging between the parchment and the area in front of them. There were more crystals here, and they cast a brilliant purple light not unlike the Light Elf orbs that illuminated Castle Sanguis.
“I don’t think this is right,” she said.
The path they’d been following was narrow. On one side, the mountain rose to greet them. On the other, less than a foot away from Vivienne’s smallest toe, the trail dropped into nothingness.
A massive shale wall spread before them, jagged edges jutting out from the otherwise smooth stone. Tiny gems were embedded in thestone, glistening faintly like stars shrouded by a dark mist. It was beautiful, and she stored it away in her mind to paint when their lives weren’t at risk.
The wall wasn’t marked on the map, and no matter how long Vivienne stared at it, she couldn’t figure out how to get around it.
A sound of frustration slipped from her lips, and Marius’s hand landed on her shoulder. He pointed to the same location she was studying on the map. “We’re here, right?”
“Mhmm, I think so.” She turned the parchment on an angle, hoping it would reveal something she’d missed. Unfortunately, it looked exactly the same as it had before. Navigation had never been her strong suit. “I don’t see how we can get through this.”
His lips brushed her cheek, sending tingles running through her. Since when did they kiss and touch each other so freely? She wasn’t sure, but she liked it far too much.
“We’ll figure it out.” He sounded so confident.
Her tunic fluttered against her back, and before she could utter a word of warning, the prince edged around her. He stood with his hands on his hips, outlined in darkness, as he studied the imposing wall.
Several minutes passed in silence before Marius slid off his pack and placed it against the shale.
“These crystals seem clustered differently.” Raising a hand, he touched several violet crystals jutting from the mountain. One was a lighter shade than the others, more lavender than violet, and seemed out of place.
“Maybe we should be careful?” Vivienne suggested, eyeing the chasm warily. “I don’t think touching things is wise.”
This place was named Death Mountain, after all. The person who destroyed the bridge must’ve had a reason for doing it.
“I am being careful. I just think…” He grabbed the lavender crystal and tugged.
Of course, he did.
Agroanfilled the air, and Vivienne shrieked. Dust rained down on them from the gods-only-knew-where, and then, the wall moved.
She grabbed the edge of his tunic, yanking him back just as the mountain shifted.
“Get down!” she yelled.
Thank Isvana, he listened. Marius dropped to his knees as massive rocks careened from above them.
Something sliced down Vivienne’s cheek, and another rock slammed into her head. She cried out, throwing herself on top of the prince like a blanket.
Why was he so big?