Page 25 of Stealing the Star Stone

“Wait, we have to take the stone first. If the floor swallows us, I don’t know how to get back here. We need this.” He tapped the star stone, then adjusted the bag on his shoulder.

She wiggled and poked random corners, even kicked the pedestal, before leaning against the wall with a groan. “This is madness,” she mumbled, throwing her hands up in despair.

As entertaining as watching her was, he had to somehow remove the stone from its floating nothingness. He grabbed the top part and cupped the base, then yanked.

It didn’t budge.

Again, he tried, eventually placing both feet on the pedestal and using all his weight.

“Here, let me help.” She inched him out of the way.

Even with her strength, the star stone didn’t shift.

Her face flushed red, a low growl escaping.

“Damn thing’s stuck. Listen here, you stupid stone.

I’m not about to fall through carnivorous vines, walk through a magic door, traipse around an oasis, jump into darkness, and cross that chasm just to bring you another stone. You’re coming with us.”

Lecture delivered, she gave it a firm nod.

She’s adorable. The urge to kiss her hit him hard. He sent that thought to the back of his mind and pressed his side to hers. “Looks like everything’s in twos.”

He placed his hands around hers.

The stone came free, sending them flying backward. Half-expecting to hit a wall, a strangled cry squeezed past his throat as he tumbled down a slope to sprawl in a stream.

Nova was face down in the mud, the stone between them. “And Orien wonders why I call it silly, or stupid.” She clambered to her feet, dripping mud down her cheeks. “I’m a lady, and ladies don’t swear.” And she proceeded to call it all manner of things, kicking water and mud onto it.

He chuckled at that nonsense since she’d been swearing for as long as he’d known her. “Sexiest lady I know.”

Up went her finger. “Don’t you start with that bullshit.” She scooped up the stone. “Now open your damn bag.”

He did, grinning at her while she wrestled with the bag and the stone.

Done, she flicked wet hair off her temple. “Right, so where are we?”

“Some sort of tunnel,” he said, gesturing to the late afternoon sunlight streaming into the narrow opening.

Water trickled past them underfoot, not strong enough to sweep them away. The thunder of a nearby waterfall reverberated through the tunnel, promising something substantial. Not like the one that drizzled a fine mist over the oasis.

“This isn’t good, Thorne,” she said, inching to the edge. “One, it looks like freedom, but by my count, we’re missing a stone. Two, this’s probably said cliff those symbols were talking about.”

Down below was a sizable pool surrounded by a wall of rock. One massive waterfall tumbled into the water—its dark orange implying it was deep. Except, they were high up, about fifty to sixty-five feet—terrifying as leaps of faith went.

“No way am I jumping,” she said, gripping the tunnel’s side.

“It wants us to go in that direction.” He pointed outside.

“I’m not keen on going splat.” She marched back to peer up the slide they’d fallen along.

He balanced his feet on the middle of the entrance, clutching the bag to his body. If he threw himself off, she had to follow, right?

He leaped, keeping his form tight, his legs extended.

“Thorne, you asshole!” trailed him to the pool below.

He burst out of the water, wiped his face, and waved to her glaring at him from the tunnel’s opening. It was higher than he’d thought, but he’d survived.

“I’m going to kill you. Just you wait,” she yelled, then sat on the edge, dangling her legs off.

He stilled. Was she afraid of heights? In his distraction, she’d managed to haul her ass over and was now hanging by her fingertips.

“You can do it,” he called, wading out of the water and onto the shore.

Her curses came and went as she glanced at him, down at the pool, into the tunnel, then at him again.

At last, she inched her way over the edge, finding toeholds and grips.

It was painful watching her inch down, making him hitch his breath and send up prayers.

Especially when she slipped and scrabbled for another hold.

Ten feet to go, she let go. Her trajectory was clear, and it was bad.

Had she jumped, she would have cleared those jutting rocks. She bounced from one to the other like an antique pinball machine. Her garbled curses rose in pitch, until she landed, legs akimbo on the final rock not an inch from the water.

Clinging to the rock, her face changed from pale to green to purple. Laughter exploded out of him. Tears fell unhindered. Unable to help her down, he could only focus on getting himself under control. Having been kicked in the balls before, the pain was excruciating. He winced in sympathy.

“I’ll…kill you,” she managed to rasp, her eyes squeezed shut.

“Slow inhales and exhales,” he said, mid-chuckle.

“Fuck you, Thorne,” she yelled. “Fuck all of this.” With a gut-wrenching groan, she slipped off, her hands clutching her groin.

She sank underwater mid-grumble.

He shrugged off the bag and dove in, finding her with ease in the orange water. Her face was scrunched up, her cheeks pale as he dragged her to safety.

“Anything else hurt?” he asked.

“Can’t tell,” she gritted out through pinched lips. “Give me a moment.”

“Well, you made it,” he said and received a glare for his trouble.

Standing, he assessed their location. The light was almost gone—the vestiges of daylight in the crimson and pink on the horizon. They’d have to sleep here tonight, under the canopy of rock. It would protect them if it rained, and maybe hide them from prying eyes above.

Except, they had no blankets or fire.

He gazed at her, pain leeching from her features.

“We’re going to have to share body heat.” He glanced away, hiding his delight.

One stone in a day? They had been lucky.

And now, he’d get to spend the night with her, naked, snuggling.

Damn, things couldn’t have ended on a better note if he’d planned them.