Six of Ruin (Heirs of Irenwell #1) ✔

Chapter 32: Deceitful

The cave seemed to go on forever. Other than the small torch Danilo carried, the place was completely dark. No one could see the tears falling down my cheeks.

The blatancy of my own mistakes cracked my heart in two. I held on to the idea of being a princess for so long I did not know how to be anything other than that. Perhaps I wasn't capable of being anything other than that.

A witch, Ace said. Diablerie. Something lying, manipulative.

No, a coward.

I lied to myself, which is what cowards did.

"We're near." Rixen murmured, his voice strained and exhausted. "The air is getting warmer."

We were all exhausted, especially after having to share our deepest, darkest secrets with each other. The encounter with Liu Raj left us naked and exposed. Our relationships strained to the brink of cracking. Whatever companionship we've build hung by a threat.

I couldn't look into anyone's eye anymore. I wanted to talk to Rixen, but Danilo was currently too pissed off to risk it, and I knew he'd hate me if he saw me conspiring with the bastard again. On the other hand, a part of me felt like I was betraying myself by pushing Rixen away.

A beam of light appeared on the moist ground, coming from around the corner. I lifted my head, feeling the warm air Rixen mentioned.

"Sunshine." I muttered. "It's dawning."

"Perfect time to go to sleep." Ace yawned. "You get one day of rest and then we must continue. If the sellswords intend to cross that lake, it's going to take them some time."

We rushed towards the light at the end of the cave, eager for something positive, even if it was only dawning sun. The scarce light blinded me the moment I felt the dark, moist shelter.

Birds chirped all around, their song lulling my heart into serenity. Small animals ran around, creating rustling, cracking and breaking sounds. A waterfall gurgled somewhere near, sliding over the rocks in a calm, caressing manner, like the water did not try to break, but soothe. The smell of fruits, leaves and dew filled my nostrils. The air was brisk and fresh.

And finally, my eyesight adjusted to the light.

Violet, rose-coloured and orange hues fell all over the deep green grass. The tall trees stood proudly, almost touching the morning, peacefully-blue skies. The morning dew made everything shine as far as the eye could see. The snow sparkled on the mountaintops; the water shimmered in the large, pristine waterfall. Everything moved; the birds, the animals, the water. The vast forest came alive.

And it was more beautiful than anything I've ever seen. The spectacular dance of life, light and peace. My breath got caught in my throat. My robe slid off my shoulders. It was warm.

The Spirit territory, the northernmost bastion of civilisation, was pleasantly warm.

With a skipped heartbeat and hitched breath, I realised I could stay here. The mountains in the distance, the magical warmth, the calming birds...

"Welcome to the Spirit territory." Ace said. "Only eat the fruit you can recognise. Do not touch the animals, you don't know who they belong to. And for god's sake," He turned to the men of our group, "If a gorgeous lady shows up out of nowhere and promises fulfilment of your desires, do not follow her. She is going to steal your soul and eat your heart for dinner."

"So," I giggled, "Much like any gorgeous lady?"

"Do not flatter yourself." Rixen pushed past me, bumping against my shoulder on purpose.