Niam

NIAM

A horrid thought struck me, and my hands shook as I patted down my robe, searching for the hidden pocket. The device - where was it? My heart hammered against my ribs until my fingers brushed the hard edge. Still there. Still safe. I released a shaky breath, relief flooding through me.

Tharon moved through the aftermath of the rockslide with deadly grace, tossing aside stones as if they weighed nothing. Dust hung thick in the air, turning the mountain light an eerie gray. I tucked the device deeper into my pocket, acutely aware of its presence against my hip.

“The supplies are buried.” Tharon straightened, his massive frame casting a long shadow. “And the bagart...” He trailed off, jaw tight.

“I’m sorry.” My voice came out small, inadequate. Just hours ago, I’d clung to him as we rode, the powerful creature carrying us to safety through impossible terrain. Now it lay crushed under tons of rock, one more death to add to my growing tally. One more life lost because of me.

“Don’t.” His voice cut through my guilt like a blade. “The bagart died quick. And you’re alive.” Sunlight caught his blue- green hair as he turned, scanning our surroundings with predator’s eyes, a reminder of his otherworldly nature.

I pulled my robe tighter, trying to ward off the mountain chill that seemed to seep through the thin fabric and into my bones. “What do we have left?”

“My sword. Your device. The clothes we wear.” He gestured up the narrow mountain path ahead, his movements sharp with tension. “And only one way forward now.”

The rockslide had sealed off any chance of retreat. I nodded and took a step, then another. My legs trembled, protesting the movement. Hours of riding followed by our mad dash for survival had left my muscles screaming. But there was no choice except onward.

The path grew steeper, weathered rock giving way to treacherous scree that slid beneath each tentative step. After the third time I stumbled, Tharon’s hand closed around my arm, his grip gentle but firm.

“Let me help.” His voice was rough, almost angry, but his touch remained careful.

Pride warred with practicality. But his palm radiated warmth through my sleeve, and I let him steady me as we climbed, trying to ignore how natural it felt to depend on him.

The sun climbed higher, harsh and unrelenting. Sweat trickled down my back, and my throat burned with each breath of the thin mountain air. The Temple had never prepared me for this kind of physical challenge.

“Wait.” Tharon’s grip tightened suddenly, his whole body going still. “Listen.”

I heard nothing but my own labored breathing. Then it came to me - the musical trickle of water drifting on the breeze. We followed the sound to a spring bubbling from between ancient rocks, the sight of it almost bringing tears to my eyes.

I dropped to my knees beside the water, watching it run crystal clear over smooth stones. As I cupped my hands to drink, Tharon kept watch, his powerful frame a barrier between me and whatever dangers might lurk in these heights.

His expression softened for just a moment as he watched me, something warm and unguarded flickering in his eyes before his usual mask slid back into place. “Drink. Rest. We have a long way still to go.”

I let the water revive me as I drank deeply, savoring each cold sip. My stomach rumbled, reminding me that we’d lost our supplies in the rockslide. No matter. Going without food was nothing new after years of deprivation at the Temple.

Tharon watched me with those intense predator’s eyes, his jaw tight. “We’ll hunt once we reach lower elevation,” he said gruffly. “You need to keep your strength up.”

I waved a dismissive hand, putting on an air of nonchalance. “I’m fine. This is nothing compared to the Temple.” The words felt hollow even to my own ears. My body ached from the climb, muscles protesting every movement. But I refused to show weakness in front of this powerful warrior.

Tharon’s eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer, closing the distance between us. “You think I don’t see how you tremble? How the thin air steals your breath?” His voice dropped low, a growl rumbling in his chest. “I can smell your exhaustion, little human.”

I swallowed hard as he loomed over me, my pulse racing wildly at my neck. Up close, I could make out each individual spot trailing from his temples down the column of his thick neck. Unable to meet that piercing blue-green gaze, I focused on the firm line of his mouth instead.

“I-I’m not weak,” I stammered, hating the way I faltered. “The Temple made me strong.”

A rough fingertip tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him. “Strength isn’t stubbornness,” he rumbled. “Let me care for you, . You don’t have to fight me on everything.”

The words sparked something wild and reckless in me. I jerked my chin free of his grasp. “You presume too much, Valti. This alliance is temporary - nothing more.”

His nostrils flared at the challenge in my tone. For a long, heated moment we simply stared at one another, the air crackling with unspoken tension. Then Tharon pivoted on his heel and started down the treacherous mountain path without another word.

I hurried to keep up, the rough terrain making every step a battle. The altitude stole my breath, the thin air searing my lungs. More than once I stumbled on loose scree, scraping my palms on the rocky ground.

Without warning, Tharon’s arm banded around my waist, hauling me flush against the solid wall of his body. “Enough,” he snarled. “I won’t watch you work yourself into the grave out of sheer pigheadedness.”

“But-” His stern look cut off my protest. “You have a choice, little human. Let me help you - or I carry you. Those are the only options.”

My face went hot with humiliation, but I gave a terse nod. It was smarter to conserve what little energy I had left. I allowed him to take some of my weight, leaning into that frame of steel and trying not to focus too hard on the tingles his touch ignited.

We made our way down the mountain in silence, every placement of my boots calculated and slow. The valley spread out before us in a vista of lush green - patches of untamed forest interspersed with wildflower meadows. My breath caught at the sheer natural beauty of it, so different from the stark confines of Terr.

A sudden vibration against my hip made me jump. I fumbled in my robe pocket for the device, my fingers closing around the cold metal casing. As I withdrew it, a faint blue light flickered to life, almost like a guiding beacon shining from the cracks between the components.

The beam pointed resolutely to the northwest. Could this be showing us the way? Towards what - freedom? Or something more sinister lying in wait?

“Look.” Tharon’s deep voice pulled me from my reverie. His gaze was locked on the valley floor, sharp eyes missing nothing.

I followed the line of his outstretched arm and spotted what had caught his notice - faint paths winding through the trees in a telltale weave. My heart leapt. Game trails.

Tharon shot me a look filled with dark promises. “Lead on, little one. I’ll try to keep up.”