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“According to the texts, it was the first city in this world,” she answered Sorin, climbing the steps. “The being that created this world lived here for a time, and the Runic City was their home.”

“Did it say which god or goddess created this world?” Sorin asked.

Scarlett shook her head, taking another bite of the fruit. “No, but that’s not the most interesting part,” she went on excitedly. “The being that created this world has the power to truly lock it. Something about their essence being so intertwined with the world they created, they have the power to keep others out if they wish. The only exception would be a god or goddess of equal or greater power.”

“Are you saying if a First created this world, then they could keep out all others except for the other First gods?”

“If I translated everything right, yes.”

“That is interesting,” Sorin replied as they neared the top of the stairs.

“If I could connect any of that history back to the mirror gates, that would be great,” she grumbled.

Sorin chuckled softly. “It sounds like we have much to look into these next few days.”

“It feels utterly pointless right now.”

He pulled a door open at the top of the stairwell, waving her through, but when Scarlett reached for his hand to Travel, she found herself backed against the stone wall. He had a hand on her hip, the other was tipping her chin up, and his golden eyes were molten as he leaned in close.

“What are you doing?” she gasped around her surprise, heat flooding her and her stomach dipping.

“Taking a moment. With you,” he answered, lowering his mouth to hers. Cloves and honey assaulted her when his tongue dipped between her lips. She curled a hand in his tunic, dragging him closer, somehow remembering she still held a pear in her other hand. The hand on her hip slid down, hoisting her thigh up and allowing him to come impossibly closer.

The pear thudded to the ground.

All thoughts of mirror gates and Chaos, of the lock and the Southern Islands, were gone as Sorin kissed her deeply, lazily. As if they were not running out of time. Not facing an impossible task. Not leading entire continents into war.

When he pulled back, his fingers tangled in her hair and lips swollen and glossy, it was pure love shining in his golden eyes.

A love she would burn the world to ash for.

A love she would save the world for.

A love that promised her the world.

There weren’t words that needed to be said, so she didn’t speak as she steadied her breathing and then Traveled them to the training arena in the Nightmist Mountains.

They were still staring at each other when they appeared in the center of the ring, and Cyrus whistled low under his breath. “You two sure you don’t want to finish whatever this was?”

Sorin’s smirk was sinful as he replied, “I will certainly finish this later.”

Scarlett’s lips lifted coyly, her shadow armor sliding into place. “Perhaps I’ll come up with a new use for my tongue, Prince,” she chirped as she slowly backed away from him.

His eyes darkened.I’m holding you to that, Love.

Use all that power today, and I’ll come up with two,she purred back.

Starfire flared and her spirit sword appeared in her hand at the same moment she sent flames at Rayner, who she’d sensed appearing behind her a moment before. She whirled, a dagger at his throat when his shield of ashes faded away, and the Ash Rider blinked in surprise.

“Well done, Scarlett,” he said after a moment.

She slowly lowered her blade. Rayner had been training her hard on this. They did not know who or what they would face in the Southern Islands. They did not know if Alaric had a seraph with Ash Rider gifts. Perhaps a seraph had the same gifts as Kailia. She wanted to be prepared for all of it. Rayner and Kailia had been ambushing her at random moments for days now.

“I should hope so,” she huffed, sliding the dagger back into her belt. “After Kailia knocked me on my ass multiple times, I had better be improving.”

Rayner was somewhat careful with her, always catching her before her face hit the ground or she took a hit to the gut. The Avonleyan Queen didn’t have such qualms.

“Are we ready?” Cethin asked.