Denna

DENNA

I woke up with a start, my mind hazy from the vivid dreams that had swirled through my mind all night.

For a moment, I was afraid to look over at my captor, certain he'd be able to tell what we had done in my mind simply by looking at me.

I had to admit, I was drawn to Korrin, despite our opposing goals. His strength and leadership were undeniable, and I found myself stealing glances at him more often than I cared to admit.

Except… this was a different warrior, older. Right. He'd even introduced himself. Roji.

"Don't worry little one. He'll be back."

Roji seemed more curious than afraid as he studied my features. With a grunt, he rose fluidly to his feet, tugging me up alongside him. The rope allowed little distance between us as he led me through the cave to a small campfire.

"Hungry?" he asked gruffly, already stoking the flames and laying out provisions—dried meat, travel bread, a skin of water. I nodded, unsure if speech was wise with his clansmen scattered nearby.

We ate in companionable quiet, the crackling fire and distant bird calls the only sounds. Despite my bound state, Roji made no aggressive moves, merely ensuring I didn't wander by keeping the rope taut between us.

As we finished, I couldn't resist asking, "Where are you from? Surely you don't live in these caves."

Roji let out a rich chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We are from the verdant plateaus farther to the west. The Bridge Lands of Trellen."

I absorbed this new information, cataloging it for future reference. "I know nothing of this place," I admitted. "Nothing of the world outside my city."

He elaborated, but it did me little good. "Between the mountains and the desert. My people are weavers and smiths. Miners and herders. Tinkers and animal traders. A nation of wanderers. It is a peaceful land, too remote for most to pay attention to our lives."

Roji's expression darkened, a scowl marring his rugged features. "Until recently," he snarled.

The scowl etched on Roji's weathered face only begged me to press for more. "What happened recently?"

He regarded me with a heavy gaze, as if weighing how much to reveal. After a moment, he sighed deeply. "Thieves came and stole something from us. We're going to get it back."

What could these savage men want so badly? "What was taken?"

Roji shook his head. "I cannot share more until our leader returns." He gave a mirthless chuckle. "You are quite the inquisitive one for a captive."

I lifted my bound wrists. "I am at your mercy. Mere curiosity to pass the time."

He grunted in response, but said no more on the matter. We lapsed back into silence as the morning wore on.

The sound of approaching footsteps drew our attention. Korrin emerged from the tunnel entrance, his expression unreadable as he took in the scene before him. A strange fluttering filled my chest at the sight of him.

"Roji. We're changing our position," he stated flatly. "Be ready."

The older man inclined his head in acknowledgment. "As you command."

Korrin studied me appraisingly, his eyes roving over my features. I felt heat rise to my cheeks under his intense scrutiny. At length, he spoke. "She stays with us. For now."

As they packed up camp, a sense of expectancy filled the air. Korrin took the rope binding my wrists and tugged me forward, his touch sending a jolt through my body. I fell into step beside him as our group ventured deeper into the tunnels.

Darkness enveloped us, but the men carried glowing stones that cast an eerie blue light, allowing me to make out the rough-hewn walls and craggy floor.

Time stretched on as we walked. How long had it been? Down here, away from the sun, there was no way to know. "How much further to the next waypoint?" Korrin called ahead

Surant checked a worn map, tracing his finger along the winding tunnels. "Another half day's march, if we keep a steady pace."

I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer as we trudged through the winding tunnels. "Where are we going?"

Korrin looked down at me, his expression unreadable. In his eyes, I saw a flicker of indecision, as if he was weighing how much to reveal. The weight of his gaze made my chest tight.

"To find a way to do the impossible."

Well. Maybe I shouldn't have asked. But staying quiet wasn't going to get me anywhere. "Roji said something had been stolen from you?"

He snorted. "Not something. Someone. And we're going to bring her home."

All right. That was a little more. "Roji said something about the Bridge Lands. That's your home?"

Korrin's expression softened. "Trellen may not have the riches and grandeur of places like Zashi," Korrin continued, "but we want for nothing. Our needs are simple—food, shelter, the freedom to roam. We gather where we will, move on as we wish."

"And you're a warrior among these peaceful wanderers?" I teased.

A ghost of a smile played on his lips. "Aye, many of us hire out as guards or soldiers for other lands when the need arises. It's a way to see the world beyond our plains and earn a few extra coins."

Before I could inquire further, Roji chimed in from behind us.

"Our way of life was sustainable..." There was a bitterness in the older man's tone. "Until that greedy son of a varlok Lord Orland discovered our silver mine."

Korrin's jaw clenched. "A young shepherd boy went searching for a lost gellen and stumbled upon a cave entrance. When his older brothers followed, they realized it led to a rich vein of silver deep in the mountains."

"A fortune that could have brought new comforts and opportunities for our people," Roji spat, his eyes flashing with anger.

"But instead, Lord Orland caught wind of it," Korrin growled. "He laid siege to our camp and took our baroness hostage, demanding we reveal the mine's location in exchange for her return."

My heart went out to him as the pieces fell into place. A greedy noble, hungry for wealth and power, preying on the vulnerability of Korrin's peaceful clan. It was a despicable act, one I was all too familiar with from the nobles back home.

Korrin's jaw was set in a hard line. "The baroness would never forgive us if we sacrificed the future of our people, even for her own sake. So we refused Orland's demands and have been searching for another way to rescue her ever since."

Realization bloomed within me. "You think they're holding her somewhere in these mountains. Or somewhere you can reach by traveling through the tunnels."

Korrin's jaw tightened. "Aye. We tracked them to an old castle at the edge of our lands, long abandoned. A perfect place to hole up with a hostage. And that's enough for you to know."

My cheeks burned. "I'm really not a thief. And I'm sorry that my own mission seems to be at odds with yours. I wish it could be otherwise."

His expression softened.

"We're all driven by something," he said, touching my arm. "I am no different."

A pang of guilt drove through me. These weren't the savage outlaws I'd imagined, but people fighting for their home. How could I reconcile this with my own quest?

Finally, we reached another cavern, the flickering light of the glowing stones revealing an expansive space. The tunnel walls glistened with moisture, strange luminescent fungi casting an eerie blue glow. The air was thick and musty, carrying the scent of earth and something else, something I didn't recognize.

I expected us to make camp and rest, but a skittering sound made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Before I could react, a horde of creatures poured down the cavern walls, their spindly legs carrying them with unnatural speed. They were waist-high, their bulbous bodies covered in coarse black hair, mandibles clicking menacingly.

"Yikvri!" one of the warriors shouted, drawing his blade. "To arms!"

Chaos erupted as the beasts swarmed us. The men formed a defensive circle, swords and axes at the ready.

I fumbled for the sword at my hip, my fingertips oddly numb.

The yikvri's exoskeleton gleamed like polished obsidian, its multiple eyes reflecting the dim light. Its movements were unnaturally quick and precise, as if it were some unholy fusion of insect and machine.

One lunged at me, its pincers snapping. I swung my blade clumsily, hampered by the rope, nicking one of its legs. It screeched and reared back, undeterred.

Another leapt onto my back, its weight driving me to my knees. I twisted, trying to dislodge the creature, but its grip was vice-like.

Suddenly, the rope binding my wrist went slack. Korrin had sliced through it, freeing my arms to defend myself. Our eyes met for the briefest moment before he turned to engage another foe.

I remembered Korrin's stance from earlier. Wide base, sword angled. I mimicked it, feeling more stable. Maybe I could survive this after all.

With renewed vigor, I flung the yikvri from my back, rolling to my feet. Three more bore down on me, their black eyes glittering with malice. Panting, I managed to parry their strikes, steel clashing against their bony pincers.

The yikvri lunged. I ducked. Rolled. Slashed wildly. My heart pounded. Sweat stung my eyes. Another attack. This time, I was ready.

A piercing shriek made my blood run cold, and I spun around, searching for the source.

While he fought, a yikvri's pincers inches from his face, another crept behind him. Without thinking, I charged, raising my sword to strike the beast.

It sensed my approach and whirled with blinding speed. Pain exploded across my chest as its barbed foreleg struck me, sending my sword clattering across the stone floor. I crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.

The yikvri loomed over me, mandibles clicking in anticipation of its kill. It reared back, its stinger descending towards my heart. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the final blow.

A bestial roar shook the cavern. Korrin barreled into the creature, his powerful arms encircling its thorax. With a sickening crunch, he tore the yikvri in two, its viscous fluids splattering the ground.

Korrin dropped to one knee beside me, his face a mask of concern and fury. His arms enveloped me, pulling me tight against his heaving chest as the battle raged around us. I felt the steady thrum of his heartbeat, the heat of his body a shocking contrast to the chill of the cavern.

"," he rasped, his voice a low rumble. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head, too dazed and overwhelmed to speak. Korrin's grip tightened fractionally, a tremor passing through his powerful frame.

The clash of steel and shrieks of the few remaining yikvri faded into the background. All that existed was Korrin's embrace, shielding me, protecting me. My fingers clutched at the soft fabric of his tunic as I clung to him, drawing strength from his unwavering presence.

At long last, the sounds of battle subsided. Korrin loosened his hold, his intense gaze searching my face.

"You fought well," he murmured, the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

My cheeks flushed at his praise. "I... I tried," I stammered, suddenly very aware of how closely our bodies were pressed together. "I don't think I was very good, though."

Korrin made no move to pull away. His thumb traced the line of my jaw, sending a delicious spark to coil in my belly. "You are full of surprises, of the Frostlings."

A gruff voice rang out. "Korrin! We must keep moving. More may be coming."

Reluctantly, Korrin rose to his feet, offering me his hand. I took it, his strength pulling me upright. Our eyes locked, a heated current crackling between us.

"Gather your things," he said roughly. "We cannot linger here."

With great effort, I tore my gaze away and collected my sword. As I fell into step beside Korrin, I stole a glance at his profile, my pulse fluttering.

But a voice in my head whispered a warning. I had a mission, a purpose. Could I afford to let these feelings grow? And yet, I knew it might already be too late.