Page 146 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“Again,” Faolan called.

“Emrys, come over here,” I said when the second attempt didn’t budge the boulder.

“Will I fit?” he asked, already ducking under Faolan.

I shimmied higher, giving him enough space under me.

“You’re going to fall when it moves,” Faolan said.

“I’m not worried. You’ll break my fall.” I barely managed. “Count.”

Faolan laughed. “Three.”

We shoved, and the boulder moved only a centimeter at first but then more and more. Little by little it went, which gave us more motivation.

Screams broke out in the passage, but Jaxus’ voice broke through it all.

“Give me the vessel.”

We all fell silent, listening.

“Never,” Drystan growled. “They are on us. Give up now and beg the elders’ mercy, brother.”

“Are you fucking kidding?” Hurt sounded in Jaxus’ tone.

“I can’t let you do this to our parents,” Drystan growled, turning cold.

“What are you talking about?” Jaxus snapped.

“They have us. You are surrounded. You’ll never escape. They’ve pushed you into a trap.”

“You lie.” Jaxus’ voice came tense.

“They clearly knew this whole time.” Mirth licked in his words.

Had this entire endeavor been a setup? No, we’d bonded. Drys loved Jaxus. He wouldn’t. My mind wouldn’t accept it.

“You let me go this far to stop me?” Confusion filtered into Jaxus’ tone. The hurt there broke me in two.

“I had to show everyone who you really were.” Everything Drys was morphed. “Tell them it was all her. Tell them she brainwashed you.” He dropped his voice, but it echoed into our chamber. “You were thinking with your dick. You can be saved. They will forgive you if you say the right thing.”

Jaxus snarled. “I would never. I’d kill my own blood first.”

“You’d betray our parents and family name?” Drystan pleaded. “You can stop this.”

“Why would you come this far?”

“Because the elders needed to see her for who she is. They’ve suspected Faolan and Emrys for a long time, and now I’ve handed them the proof they need.” Drystan’s voice dripped with triumph.

“The Goddess damn you.” Faolan spat. “Leave him.” He looked at me and Emrys. “We have to get this the rest of the way open.”

We heaved, moving the stone enough to let us help.

I dropped down, standing in the mouth of the new opening.

“Go,” Faolan screamed.

“But the vessel,” I cried staring back down the tunnel, willing Jaxus to appear with the vessel.