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Denna

DENNA

T he villart's scales rasped against my thighs as we picked our way through the narrow canyon. Sweat trickled down my back, and I shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. The beast snorted, sensing my unease.

"Easy," I murmured, patting its neck. My mind wandered to Roji's gruff farewell just hours ago.

"You're a fool, girl," he'd growled, thrusting the reins into my hands. "But if you're determined to get yourself killed, at least take Thorna. She's sure-footed and loyal."

I'd seen the worry in his eyes, poorly disguised beneath his scowl. "I'll come back, Roji. I promise."

He'd grunted, unconvinced. "The King's Road lies two days' ride east. Follow it north, and you'll reach Zashi. May the gods have mercy on your stubborn soul."

Now, as Thorna picked her way over loose stones, I wondered if I'd made the right choice. Korrin's face flashed through my mind, and guilt gnawed at me. But I had to do this. Mila needed me. And the artifacts...

A pebble skittered down the canyon wall, startling me from my reverie. I glanced up, noting the unstable rock face looming above. We needed to get through this pass quickly.

"Come on, girl," I urged Thorna. "Just a little further."

The villart snorted, tail lashing nervously. I leaned forward, scanning the path ahead. Something felt off. The air grew thick, oppressive. A faint rumble reached my ears.

My eyes widened. "No!"

I yanked on the reins, but it was too late. With a deafening roar, the canyon wall ahead collapsed. Boulders crashed down, kicking up choking dust. Thorna reared, nearly throwing me. I clung to her neck, heart pounding as rocks rained down around us.

When the dust settled, I found our path completely blocked. A wall of rubble stretched from canyon floor to rim. I dismounted, legs shaky, and approached the rockfall. No way through. And no way to backtrack—the passage behind us was far too narrow for Thorna to turn around.

"Looks like we're climbing," I muttered, eyeing the canyon walls. They were rough, pockmarked with ledges and crevices. Climbable, barely. But what about Thorna?

The villart pawed the ground, sensing my indecision. I stroked her snout, considering our options. "I'm sorry, girl. I won't leave you here."

With a sigh, I unloaded our supplies. I'd have to leave most behind, taking only what I could carry. As I worked, movement caught my eye. Something skittered across a sun-baked rock.

I froze, breath catching in my throat.

The creature skittered closer, its multiple eyes glinting in the harsh sunlight. My hand flew to my sword hilt as two more emerged from behind nearby rocks. Their armored bodies gleamed, pincers clicking menacingly.

My heart raced. I'd faced these monstrosities at the beginning of my quest, barely escaping with my life. But I was different now. Stronger. More skilled.

I drew my blade, its metal singing as it left the scabbard. "Come on then," I muttered.

The nearest beast reared, and I sidestepped, bringing my sword down hard on its exposed underbelly. The blade scraped uselessly against its armor.

Cursing, I dodged another attack. A pincer grazed my arm, drawing blood. Pain flared, but I pushed it aside. No time for that now.

I feinted left, then rolled right as two of the creatures collided. Their pincers tangled, giving me precious seconds. I scrambled up a boulder, gaining higher ground.

The third monster scuttled up after me. I waited until the last moment, then leapt. My boots slammed into its carapace as I vaulted over, sending it tumbling down the rock face.

Landing hard, I spun to face the other two. They'd untangled themselves and advanced slowly, wary now.

I needed a new strategy. Their armor was too tough for my blade...but maybe...

I backed away, leading them towards the rockslide. Loose stones shifted under my feet. One wrong step and I'd be crushed.

The creatures followed, their many legs finding purchase where I struggled. I let them get close, then dropped and rolled.

Stones cascaded down, pelting the monsters. They staggered, momentarily stunned. I seized my chance.

My sword found a weak spot where the head met the body on the nearest beast. It shrieked, a horrible sound that set my teeth on edge. Green ichor spurted as I wrenched the blade free.

One down.

The others recovered quickly. A pincer clamped around my ankle, yanking me off balance. I hit the ground hard, breath knocked from my lungs.

Desperately, I kicked out with my free leg. My heel connected with an eye cluster. The grip loosened and I scrambled away.

Pain lanced through my side. I looked down to see blood seeping through my tunic. When had that happened?

No time to dwell on it. The monsters pressed their advantage, driving me back towards the canyon wall.

I gritted my teeth. Not like this. I refused to die here, alone in this gods-forsaken place.

As one creature lunged, I dropped to one knee. Its momentum carried it over me. I thrust upward, my blade finally slipping through a narrow gap by the joint where a leg connected to its body.

It thrashed wildly, nearly wrenching the sword from my grasp. I held on, twisting the blade deeper until the beast went still.

The last one hesitated. Good. It should fear me.

We circled each other warily. My arms trembled with fatigue, but I kept my stance steady. One more. I could do this.

It struck suddenly, faster than I'd anticipated. Pincers snapped inches from my face. I stumbled back, my heel catching on a loose stone.

As I fell, the world slowed. I saw death in those cold eyes. My fingers tightened on my sword hilt.

If I was going down, I'd take this bastard with me.

I thrust upward as I fell, putting all my remaining strength behind the blow. My aim was true. The blade sank deep into the creature's maw.

We hit the ground together, its weight driving the air from my lungs. For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then slowly, agonizingly, I pushed the carcass off me. My entire body screamed in protest as I hauled myself to my feet.

I surveyed the battlefield. Three dead monsters. And me, somehow still standing.

A hysterical laugh bubbled up. I'd done it. I'd actually done it.

The adrenaline faded, leaving me lightheaded. My knees buckled and I sank to the ground.

That's when I heard it. The pounding of hoofbeats echoing off the canyon walls.

I raised my head, squinting against the sun. A rider approached at breakneck speed.

As the figure drew closer, my heart leapt. I knew that blue hair, those broad shoulders.

Korrin.

He reined in his mount hard, kicking up a cloud of dust as he dismounted. His eyes widened as he took in the scene—the dead creatures, the blood staining my clothes.

"!" he called out, rushing to my side. "Are you all right?"

"I've been better." I managed a weak smile. "How did you?—"

"Find you?" Korrin's jaw clenched. "I followed your scent. What were you thinking, running off like that?"

Guilt and defiance warred within me. "I had to," I said, lifting my chin. "Mila needs me. And the artifacts?—"

"Damn the artifacts!" Korrin shouted. He closed the distance between us in two long strides, gripping my shoulders. "You could have been killed!"

I met his gaze, unflinching. "I can take care of myself."

His nostrils flared, and I saw a flash of something primal in his eyes. The Valti, stirring beneath the surface. "Clearly," he growled.

He pulled me against him, crushing his lips to mine. The kiss was fierce, desperate, full of fear and relief and something deeper I couldn't quite name. When I clutched him, dizzy and breathless, I saw the struggle in his eyes.

The man and the beast, warring for control.

"Don't ever do that again," Korrin said roughly.

I tried to argue, but he silenced me with another kiss. This one softer, a plea rather than a demand. When he pulled back, his expression had softened.

"We'll go to Zashi together," he said. "I won't let you face this alone."

Relief flooded through me, mingling with a warmth I wasn't quite ready to name. I nodded, suddenly too exhausted for words.

The world tilted sideways, but strong arms caught me before I hit the ground. Korrin's scent enveloped me—leather, sweat, and something wild I couldn't name.

"Easy," he murmured, scooping me up. My head lolled against his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear.

"I can walk," I protested weakly.

Korrin snorted. "Sure you can."

He carried me to a small clearing, setting me down gently on a patch of soft grass. Pain flared in my side as he lowered me, and I bit back a hiss.

Korrin's eyes narrowed. "You're hurt."

"It's nothing," I lied.

He ignored me, gently lifting my tunic to examine the wound. His fingers brushed my skin, leaving trails of heat in their wake. I shivered, and not from the cool air.

"This needs tending," Korrin said grimly. He stood, scanning the area. "Stay here. I'll make camp."

I wanted to argue, to insist I could help, but exhaustion dragged my limbs. I watched through heavy-lidded eyes as Korrin moved with efficient grace, gathering firewood and unpacking supplies from his mount.

The sun dipped below the canyon rim, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Korrin knelt beside me, firelight dancing across his bronze skin. He held a steaming cup to my lips.

"Drink," he ordered. "It'll help with the pain."

The bitter taste made me grimace, but warmth spread through my body as I swallowed. Korrin's hands were gentle as he cleaned my wound, but I could see the tension in his jaw, the barely contained anger in his eyes.

"Why did you leave?" he asked, not looking up from his task.

I sighed. "I told you. Mila needs me."

"And you couldn't trust me to help?"

The hurt in his voice made my chest ache. "It's not that. I just know you have duties of your own. You just saved your mother. Your people rely on you."

Korrin's hands stilled. He met my gaze, his eyes a swirl of blue and green. "You can rely on me, . Always."

The intensity of his stare made my breath catch. I looked away, unable to bear the weight of his words.

"All done," Korrin said softly, tying off the bandage. His fingers lingered on my skin, tracing idle patterns that sent prickles down my spine.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded, moving to sit beside me. We watched the fire in comfortable silence, the crackling flames the only sound besides our breathing.

"I was scared," Korrin admitted suddenly. "When I realized you were gone."

I turned to him, surprised by the vulnerability in his voice. His profile was sharp in the firelight, jaw clenched as he stared into the flames.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to worry you."

Korrin's laugh was humorless. "Worry doesn't begin to cover it. I thought... I thought I'd lost you."

The raw emotion in his words made my heart race. I reached out, covering his hand with mine. His skin was hot to the touch, almost feverish.

"You didn't lose me," I said softly. "I'm right here."

Korrin's eyes met mine, and the intensity I saw there stole my breath. Slowly, giving me time to pull away, he leaned in. His lips brushed mine, feather-light, a question more than a kiss.

I answered by threading my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. Heat pooled in my belly at the growl that rumbled in Korrin's, desire thrumming through my veins.

Korrin pulled back suddenly, his breathing ragged. "We should stop," he said, though his eyes said something very different.

"Why?" I asked, chasing his lips.

He caught my wrists gently, holding me at bay. "You're injured. And I... I don't trust myself right now."

How could I ever have left this man?

"I trust you," I whispered.

Korrin's eyes darkened, pupils blown wide. He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. "Get some rest," he said roughly. "We leave for Zashi at first light."

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