Page 57 of The Throne Seeker

CHAPTER 25

They charged up the steps leading to the crumbling rubble, its charred stones entwined with thick vines and overgrown moss. Gaps gaped in the towering walls, letting a few hazy streaks of sunlight sneak through the pillars. A damp mist hovered in the cool air, clinging to her clothing. They needed to search the deserted castle quickly; they might have had a lead, but Grant and his men would undoubtedly be close behind.

“We’ll split up.” Tristan faced Roman and Zareb. “You both stay here with the men and guard the main entrance to buy us time. Rose and I will look for the relic.”

Roman and Zareb didn’t argue, giving an obedient nod before they split up.

Together, she and Tristan navigated through the ruins, clambering up the deteriorating stairs.

Sacred—that’s what this place had always been. These walls, which had once symbolized strength and unity, now only served as a painful history lesson—burned centuries ago when the dragons of old unleashed their wrath on Cathan. She’d often stare at it during her adventures with Xavier and Tristan, though she had never once dared enter. Rightfully so. The deaddeserved peace, too. Legend said the ghosts of the burned souls still lingered within their walls.

She believed it.

Only the echoes of their footsteps reached her ears as they searched the dreary halls, inspecting every room and surface they could find.

The sudden clash of swords drifted from outside.

Grant. Urgency drove her to move faster, frantically examining every crevice and hidden nook.

They were climbing the final staircase when a deep groan moaned from below, shifting the stone beneath her feet.

With little time to react, she sprinted up the remaining steps, with Tristan at her heels.

One second he was following her, and the next he wasn’t.

Tristan’s leg disappeared through the floor, alongside a large chunk of the staircase. He immediately grappled for a hold on the stairs, dangling from the gaping hole. He tried to lift himself, but the stone had swallowed his leg, pinning him and leaving a large gash on his upper thigh.

“Tristan!” She didn’t think twice before returning to retrieve him.

“No! Go,” he said through a sharp breath. “Go and find the relic before Grant does.”

Like hell. “Not without you.”

She tiptoed back down the steps, pausing when the rock groaned underneath her weight.

“Don’t,” he pleaded, trying to mask his pain. “Just go.”

“No,” she refused. She crouched down, cautiously distributing her weight as she extended her hand. “Me and you, remember?”

His blue eyes shone up at her like she was the sun relic itself. “Me and you,” he murmured. He grasped her hand with his, and she braced, about to pull him up?—

Grant materialized at the bottom of the stairs. A slithering smirk played on his lips. “Well, well, look what we have here.” He widened his eyes dramatically at the two. “Oh, don’t let me interrupt—I just need to get by, and then you two can continue to profess your love.” He took a few steps up the stairs.

“Stop!” she warned. “You’ll make the whole thing collapse.”

Grant ignored the warning, continuing. The stone groaned again.

Acting quickly, she hauled Tristan upward, heaving with every ounce of strength she had as his leg finally came free, but in the process, a fresh, deep cut tore open his lower leg. Tristan hissed.

She draped his arm over her shoulders, helping him stand as they hobbled up the stairs, mindful to hug the wall as they did. Grant’s footsteps were gaining on them.

Just as she and Tristan reached the top, the stones groaned again and the ground shook. She checked back just in time to see Grant disappear with a cry.

They had no choice but to continue, inching their way down a dark, lengthy hallway. Rose bore what weight she could as Tristan limped beside her, a trail of blood running down his leg.

When she was sure they were safe, she let Tristan slump against the wall. “Are you okay? Let me see.” She went to crouch down to get a better look at his gash.

Tristan stopped her, shaking his head as he breathed heavily. “No. I’ll be fine, let’s keep going. I don’t want any more surprises.”