Kapitel 11: Hideaway
Nick
We made it through the line of tourists and began our descent into the cave. The entrance was through a large hole in the ground in which a wide staircase had been hewn out of the cave rock. Edison lights swung overhead, illuminating our way as we trekked down the smooth steps. I had taken five or six steps across the cavern floor when I realized Celeste wasn't with me. Panicked, I turned to find her standing in a clutch of tourists. They were all gawking at the sight before them.
The stalactites and stalagmites formed a surreal landscape more fantastical than anything Salvador Dali created. Strange, grotesque beauty shaped by eons of patient dripping. I'd had the same reaction the first time I'd set foot here. My eyes took a minute to graze over Celeste and her look of wonder, more beautiful than any of the natural artwork surrounding us.
Her fiery hair was swept atop her head in a messy knot, and her bright eyes were round with wonder as she took in the exquisitely bizarre formations surrounding us, seeming to glow under the halogen lighting. My vision sharpened on her, and I could see the smattering of freckles across the pale skin of her delicate nose, the tips of her slightly pointed ears that peeked through the red locks that had escaped their bounds during our trek.
My focus traveled to the intricate vine-like rune tattoos winding sinuously down her neck to disappear under her gear. The previous peek I'd gotten of her shapely shoulder revealed more swirling markings along with the faint raised scars. I wanted to know who had dared to mar the perfection of her skin, but I was afraid I knew the answer. Few survived Queen Oralia's court, and those that did were left with marks to remind them of their cruel treatment.
"By the stars…" I heard her murmur as I placed myself at her side once more, pushing the tourists subtly away from her. She reached out to trail one graceful hand along a tapered stone column. "I can see now why they left it nameless."
I tilted my head until I could whisper in her ear. "Beauty too overwhelming to capture, like you," I said before I could think better of it.
Celeste's green eyes flashed in my direction, brows raised. I gave a small shrug, unwilling to temper the observation. She was overwhelming—her beauty and power made my craving of her intense in a way I'd never experienced before.
I knew my eyes must be flashing red. My vision was overcome by a rosy glow that evidenced the change. If I didn't get myself under control soon, some hawk-eyed tourist would notice the guy with the glowing red eyes. My luck would have it being some snot-nosed kid who would point and announce it to the crowd.
"Sorry," I offered gruffly, stepping out of her personal space. A feeling of something snapping between us made my spine tingle. Could that be our auras melding and releasing? I'd have to learn more about that from Leo next time I saw him. I kept my eyes glued to the floor, trying to hide my eyes until my vision returned to normal. "Didn't mean to go all poetic on you."
A smile flitted at the corners of her lush mouth. "Why, Nick, did you get something in your eyes, or are you just happy to see me?"
"Very funny," I said, daring a brief glance up at her smirking face. She was going to be the death of me. Possibly literally.
It was sweet torture being bound to this fierce little Fae who would never make my life or winning her easy. But damn if I wasn't beginning to crave the battle...
***
Leading Celeste over the slippery, damp rock of the last cavern open to tourists, I looked over my shoulder before ducking into an unlit, narrow passage.
"What are you…" I quickly placed a finger over her lips to quiet her and nearly groaned. With that simple light touch, my body was on fire. I wanted to drag my thumb across her pouty bottom lip before pressing my mouth to hers in a repeat of the one kiss we'd shared in that alley. I felt our auras snap together like a rubber band returning to shape after being stretched too far.
Ignoring her frown, I touched my forehead to hers and whispered, "Tourists behind us. Sound travels unusually far in these passages."
The creases that had formed on her brow when I'd pulled her to me relaxed, and she let out a breath. I listened intently until I could hear no further shuffling or voices anywhere near us, then stood, breaking contact.
Rubbing my chest at the single thump-bump that sounded there, I studied Celeste to see if she felt anything. Her face flushed prettily in the glow of the small flashlight I turned on, and I hear her own heartbeat drumming quickly in her chest. So, she felt it, too. The connection. The pull. The almost overwhelming need.
Who was I kidding? It was becoming more than almost overwhelming. I could feel my teeth lengthening in my mouth, the desire to taste her starting to consume my mind. Just one prick would do it. Just one drop…
I took her hand instead, guiding her deeper into the winding cavern passages. Our meager flashlight cast wavering shadows over the damp limestone walls and uneven ground. The air grew heavy and humid, laden with a mineral scent.
"Where are you taking me, vampire?" Celeste whispered, a note of tension in her voice.
"Somewhere safe," I murmured. "Leo showed me this hidden cavern with a hot spring a while ago. I've been stashing supplies there just in case of… Well, for this exact reason. It's a perfect spot to lay low for awhile."
I glanced back, able to make out her delicate features in the dim glow. "No one will find us down here."
Our last descent was via a treacherous route of slippery tunnels. More than once I caught Celeste about to lose her footing, pressing close behind her to steady the Fae against me. Each point of contact sizzled with familiar electricity—our bond thrumming impatiently below the surface.
Finally, the claustrophobic passage opened into a vast cavern. Phosphorescent turquoise moss clung to the rocks, casting an otherworldly glow. Steam rose languidly from a large, dark pool, its banks glinting with crystals. Stalactites dripped down in strange columns that created a sort of natural amphitheater around the inviting water.
I watched Celeste take in our subterranean refuge, her bright eyes wide. "It's like something out of a fairytale," she murmured.
"You should know," I quipped, receiving an eye roll in response. "Leo said these waters possess unique restorative properties," I explained, dropping my gear near a smooth part of the rocky floor.
Celeste peered down at herself as if suddenly remembering the toll our harried flight had taken. Dirt and sweat soaked her torn clothing. Angry abrasions showed on her knees and elbows where she'd squeezed through the narrow, rocky tunnels. Her shoulders slumped wearily.
"I must look a sight. A spring bath sounds divine right about now."
And before I knew what was happening, she pulled the torn shirt from her body.
By the moon!
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