12. Firion

Chapter 12

Firion

A s we finished our final bucket, my heart picked up its pace. Knowing the others were watching us, I kept close to Talia, my body thrumming with a protective instinct that roared louder each moment we stayed within the mine.

We stepped out of the small cavern, taking our weary bodies and tools through the huge cave, where they collected everything, counting. So much for thinking I could slip a pryer into my tunic to hide it. After, they urged us toward the base of the stairs. Night had fallen while we finished our work, the insects' glow starting to fade. It was all I could do to drag my feet through the caverns without tripping in the dim light.

The hissing of guards at the cavern's entrance filled the air, and a few of the miners jostled with each other. How could they have any energy left to do something like that?

Brax walked behind us, his intent gaze taking in those fooling with each other. When the rear guards paused to speak together, falling behind, he stepped up quickly and leaned near, keeping his voice low and measured. “The crystals are transported by the buckets, though I don't know how. Once they're taken away, they reach a chamber guarded by only one Veerenad.”

“One guard?” Excitement erupted in my chest.

Brax inclined his head and said nothing as a guard stomped past us. The guard poked the back of one of the miners ahead of us with his spear, grumbling about their joking. Once the guard had moved on, Brax jerked out a nod, glancing around to ensure we weren’t overheard. “Those working in that area sort the crystals and package them for transport to the city during the day, but with only one guard.”

“What happens to the crystals when they reach the city?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Talia watched us with hope in her eyes. I'd explain what he said once we'd returned to our cell.

Brax shrugged, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “I don’t know. But the packing area is a weakness. They’re focused on the crystals, not us. If we can find our way to that area . . .”

A nearly impossible task if we were locked inside our cells.

But I'd speak with the stone gods. No, I'd beg for help. Because this might be our only chance.

We reached the base of the stairs and started up them, not speaking further. We couldn't risk it. Even the light hiss of the guards echoed in the narrow space .

It was all Talia could do to climb the stairs. If I thought it wouldn't be noticed, I'd carry her. But we couldn't risk drawing attention. Finally, we stepped inside our cell, and the heavy metal door clanged shut behind us. Low lights flickered overhead, illuminating the stone walls coated with small cracks that had become too familiar over the last few days.

Talia lowered herself onto the narrow bunk and sighed. She swiped her hair and face, then stared at her hands. “I'm so dirty I can't stand it. And I . . .” She swallowed back her words.

Her hands hurt. I’d noticed earlier that they bled. Rage slashed through me, but I had no way to let it out. I couldn’t protect her, though I was trying.

Food carts rattled outside, the screeching wheels heralding another round of tasteless slop. I settled beside her, nudging my arm against her shoulder, sharing my warmth and strength. Guards stopped outside our cell and slid a tray beneath it holding food much like what they'd given us already.

I collected it, though we wouldn't eat it.

Once the guards had left, I placed my palm on the wall and hummed to the stone god.

A plate oozed from the wall, and I took it.

“Thank you.” It always paid to praise the gods.

Talia's face lit up. She grabbed something off the plate and hugged it. “This looks and feels like a potato. It probably isn't one, but I'm calling it that.” She bit into it and wiggled and moaned as she chewed, speaking around the bite. “Tastes like baked potato too, and I'm not going to complain one bit about the lack of salt and butter.”

A creamy golden lump fell through the wall, and she gasped and scooped it up, hugging it as well. “Thank you, stone gods. I love you.”

I grinned, though I was feeling jealous about her adoration for the wall.

She spread the creamy substance across the top of the big lump she was consuming, and I did the same with a second lump.

It tasted amazing. I was going to put this butter on everything.

Famished, we ate quickly, barely taking time to savor the mounds of mixed grains, vegetables, and more of the pot-ate-o lumps that were surprisingly tasty covered with butter.

After eating, the lights flickered out and the hall and cell fell into deep shadows. Tension thickened the darkness, and my heart raced, focused on the hushed whispers in the hall beyond. The guards wouldn't return tonight.

It was time.

I placed my palm against the stone wall and hummed, trying to articulate my thoughts. The gods didn’t speak to us directly. All we could do was send them images or try to explain our need with a hum in varying tones. It took time to learn this language, such as it was, and it was quite limited. I’d never asked for something like this before, and I had to piece together what I needed .

When I’d finished explaining as best I could, I turned and grunted.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Talia said.

“I was explaining what we need to the stone gods.”

“Related to this situation?”

She was wise not to name it. I doubted anyone was listening, but we couldn’t be too careful.

“Yes.”

“And?”

“We’ll see.” Or not. This god may have been dormant for a very long time. Most of them were. It awakened when I arrived, perhaps because I was traedor of the Dastalon Clan, the clan protected by stone gods. But it may not be able to offer more than clothing, food, and the blade I still kept hidden. I’d asked it to communicate with a metal god, assuming such a thing existed. To see if they could help us. The stone god wouldn’t be able to tell me if it could fill our need. I’d have to watch for a sign.

“I guess we should sleep,” she said.

“There is one thing we can do before we rest.”

“What’s that?”

I spoke to the god once more, more confident it would understand this request.

Slowly, warmth began to pulse from the wall. Grinning, I laid my hand on my lap.

A large metal tub filled with steaming water slid through below the end of the bunk.

Talia stared, her eyes widening. “Is this real?”

Standing, I took her hand and urged her over to the tub. “I don't know if this resembles your hot tub, but I hope it's close.”

We traded glances, excitement flickering between us, but also the awareness of a need to be quick and how vital it was that we stay unnoticed.

“You go first.” I waved to the new clothing the stone god had also provided, outfits exactly like what we'd worn today, which would be less noticeable to the guards.

“I have a different suggestion,” she said.

I waited to hear.

“Let's bathe together.”

I couldn't breathe. I could barely think. “Together?” I croaked.

“Unless you don't want to,” she hurried to say. “I'm sorry. Maybe I'm reading this wrong. We barely know each other. Feelings can't grow that fast. You mentioned fated mate, and I'm afraid my mind ran with it. I keep picturing us . . . “

“Picturing us how?” I desperately needed to know.

“I like you a lot, Firion. Like a lot, a lot. More than I should.”

The shy hesitancy in her voice made my tension slide away. Holding her shoulders, I turned her to face me. The light might be dim, but my eyes had adjusted, and all I could see was how pretty she was, how her eyes glowed with anticipation tinged with worry. “I like you a lot too, Talia. And I'd love to bathe with you. Would you let me wash your hair?”

“That would be wonderful.” Her head tilted and a smile teased across her mouth. “Would you let me wash your hair?”

Any day or night. “Of course. You don't . . . We don't . . .”

She placed her fingertip over my lips and peered toward the hall. “I know what you're saying. And though we haven't known each other long, I want more. But here?”

I wouldn't put on a display for those in the cells around us. “I understand.”

“Get us out of this place fast so we can . . .” She coughed. “You know.”

“I'm working on it.”

“I know you are. If you're anything like me, you're determined to do everything you can to get us to a safe location.”

The stone gods deserved endless praise. They'd gifted me with this lovely woman, and she actually liked me. She might even want more than just liking with me, and that made my heart pound like a herd of hepadons thundering across a plain.

I requested drying cloths from the gods and when they appeared, I lifted one, spreading my arms to create a shield.

Talia slid off the bunk and quickly stripped behind the cloth.

I tried not to gape at her beauty. She'd been hesitant and shy when she expressed her growing feelings, but this female was bold, alluring, and much too tempting.

Flashing me another smile, she stepped into the tub and sunk down until only the top of her head showed above the surface. The tub was Zuldruxian-sized, and she was a tiny human. The water only sloshed around her neck, which must feel perfect.

Her groan rang out, telling me this was the perfect gift for my mate tonight. She looked up at me. “Hurry. Get in before the water gets cold.”

I didn't need any more invitation than that. Since I didn't care if Brax saw my ass, I tossed the cloth onto the bunk and quickly stripped. My clothing was absorbed by the floor and a new, clean outfit took its place in the same spot.

“Thank you,” I whispered to the god as I joined my mate in the tub.