Page 54

Marin

The tunnels that climbed through the rock mountain ended at the entrance to the Moat of Clouds.

Behind us stood the maze, silent and still now that the creatures had settled back on their perches.

It seemed they were bound to the maze, leaving only the wind as my enemy as I peered across the expanse of clouds.

A hundred feet, maybe a little more, was all that stood between me and the castle gate.

But it was nothing but open air, wispy clouds, swirling with tendrils of mist. There were even spots where I could see straight to the ground.

Was I supposed to avoid those like holes in a bridge?

Or does the token work there, too? I tried to remember if there were any clues about where to step in the visions, but it was all a blur.

Sunlight beat against my back and glinted off the castle spires. The castle itself loomed like the giant inside, massive and sinister. A strange mix of ugly jagged rock and brilliant stained glass.

I glanced behind me at the doorway carved into the cliff.

A rune was etched into the stone above it.

Relief loosened the tension in my shoulders.

The exit I’d seen in the mirror existed.

Gavin wouldn’t have to go back through the maze to leave.

He could walk straight to town, climb the vine, and be home in a matter of days.

My plan was going to work this time. There weren’t any loose iron rails to account for, or a well-minded friend telling my adversary about my plans ahead of time. I had the element of surprise. If it wasn’t so morbid, I’d be thrilled!

Marin Nichols had finally beaten Gavin Blackwood in a game.

Too bad it was a hollow victory. A feat like that deserved the praise it was due.

“Good thing neither of us is afraid of heights,” Gavin said, hands on his hips as he stared at the cloud walk. He winked. “Do you still want to flip a coin to see who goes first?”

“Only if I get to call heads.”

Gavin made a face. “Never mind. It’s not as fun now that you know all my tricks.”

I blew out a shallow breath, nerves twisting in my stomach. I’d stalled long enough. If I waited any longer, Gavin might try to cross or get suspicious. And this plan was solid, it was the ground I had concerns about. I was betting a whole lot on a magic coin we’d picked up at a merchant’s stall.

What if Gavin's grim suspicions were right and the token was faulty, or the wrong kind? Just because we’d paid a fortune for it didn’t mean it would work, and the kicker?

It’s not like I could return it for my money back if I was plant food.

This whole thing might be a magical coin scam of epic proportions.

A strangled laugh caught in my throat. Hell, only one way to find out.

My fingers closed over both pouches as I removed them from my satchel. I didn’t look at Gavin, or I'd lose my nerve. I didn’t look down because I’d definitely throw up. I just leaped. A plea burned on my lips, my heart lodged somewhere between them, and my throat.

I landed hard, the force rattling up my legs as the wind clawed at me. The cloud walk was soft, yet solid, almost like sand shifting under my feet. I threw my arms out for balance, my knuckles clenched as I clutched both pouches in my fist.

The tokens worked.

Gavin took a half step forward. I swung my arm toward him.

“Stop, Gavin! You can’t cross.”

His brow creased. A flicker of confusion flashed over his features before it drained away, leaving me gutted by the look on his face.

“What did you do, Mare?”

The space between us felt too wide, I hated it. My chest squeezed so tight, I thought my ribs might break. I held up his leather pouch like a cursed offering.

“I stole your token. I’m not taking you with me. It’s too dangerous.”

Gavin’s hand dropped to his waist, fingers brushing his satchel. His eyes slid closed for a moment in stark understanding. When he opened them again, his gaze was heavy.

“That’s not funny. Come back here. Now.”

“Not this time.”

“Why?” His voice broke around the edges. “After everything we just went through?”

The wind ripped at my hair, clawed at my clothes, battered my skin, but nothing hurt as deeply as the way he was looking at me. I forced the words out before I could stop myself.

“Because I saw it, Gavin.”

He stilled. “Saw what?”

“There was a mirror down below. It shows every hunter who has attempted to cross a rope bridge guarded by the giant. I watched them all die. The bridge is impossible. It’s a death sentence.”

Gavin shook his head as if he could physically shake my words away. “No. Not for us. We’ll figure it out. We always do.”

My nails bit into my palms. The pouches felt like weights in my hands. I stepped back, the wind biting cold.

“You don’t understand.” My voice cracked. “I found Reid’s journal in your pack. I know it wasn’t you who gave me the comb. You never betrayed me, and I’m so sorry I ever believed you did. And I know you’re not just here for gold. You’re here because of me, and that’s why this is as far as we go.”

His eyes sharpened. “No. It’s not. We are not over.”

Something inside me broke. I wanted to believe him. But the mirror had already told me how this would end.

“There’s a door in the cliff that leads straight back to the ground. I wish things could be different, but they’re not. Go home, Gavin.”

His expression was unreadable now, like he’d buried everything deep inside so I couldn’t see.

I swallowed hard, my voice barely a whisper over the wind.

“Finish restoring your house. I never told you before, but everything you’ve done, it’s so beautiful.

Exactly the way I pictured it. And it gives me peace knowing you’ll keep it safe.

” My hands shook so badly I had to tuck them against my waist. Tears burned down my cheeks.

“Tell Annie stories. Help Cass with her plants. Be a good friend to Bowen.”

His mouth parted, but no words came.

Then, softly. “Marin—”

“Do that for me.” The plea nearly tore me in half. “Because I want that life for you. More than anything. ”

A silence stretched between us.

“But we’re partners.”

“Stop saying that!” My voice shattered completely. “There is no way across the rope bridge. Everyone who has tried is dead. Even partners know when it’s time to let go and cut their losses. Please—” I gasped for air. “I am begging you. Go home before I get you killed.”

His head dropped to his chest. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then he eyed the door with the rune, and a laugh scraped out of him.

“Marin Nichols—martyr.” His shoulders tightened as if he was trying to hold himself together.

“You're a lot of things, Mare. Stubborn, prideful, and achingly self-sacrificing. And you’re right. Partnerships break. Crews disband. It happens all the time. It happened to ours when we lost the treasure. But I never let you go, and I never will. Because we were never just partners.”

He dragged a hand through his hair, eyes squeezed shut as he tipped his head back to the sky. Another sharp laugh burst from his throat, this one sounded raw.

“I can’t believe I’m telling you like this —when you’re not in my arms, and I'm shouting over the wind. But we never do anything the easy way, do we?”

His gaze finally found mine and held. No grin. No armor. Just Gavin, stripped down to nothing but the truth.

“I love you, Marin.”

The world tilted as if the bridge was dissolving beneath my feet. My pulse roared in my ears.

“I knew you were mine the day you left sea glass in my pocket.”

His words echoed through the air, wrapping around me .

“You call me a thief, and you’re right. I am. I would steal your heart in a second if I could. My love for you is greedy. Insatiable. And even if I had your love, I’d always want more. So no. I won’t cut my losses and go home. I won’t live that life without you.”

Something flashed in his eyes. Something dangerous.

I went ice cold.

“Gavin—”

The wind howled between us as if it screamed his intentions. He didn’t look away as he stepped toward me, straight into the open air.

“No!”

The scream tore from my throat. I lunged, arms outstretched as if I could catch him before he fell. My heart slammed against my ribs, panic drowning out rational thought.

But he didn’t fall.

Gavin’s boots landed soundlessly in front of me, planted on the cloud walk.

I choked on a gasp, my entire body shuddering as my legs buckled. I dropped onto the cloud walk, barely catching myself with my hands.

“How?”

His mouth curved as he sank down in front of me, one knee hitting the clouds. His hands gripped my shoulders, keeping me steady.

“First rule of thieves: never keep something you don’t want stolen in your pocket.”

My gaze dropped to the leather pouches in my hand. I ripped his open. It wasn’t his cloud token. The trick coin gleamed inside the pouch. My head snapped up, but Gavin was already reaching into his boot. He pulled the real cloud token free, holding it up between two fingers like a winning hand.

“How did you know I’d steal it?” My voice wavered. “I only decided a few minutes ago.”

“I didn’t.” He shook his head. “But when it comes to you, I never leave things to chance. I hedge my bets. Always.” His eyes searched mine.

“Because this is what you do. You put everyone else first, then try to take on the world alone. You secretly tried to find the answers to the symbol on my compass. You bargained with the sea queen for your friend’s freedom.

And now you think you can save me from this hunt by leaving me behind. ”

His hands slid up, cupping my face, brushing the tears away as they fell. “That life you described?” His thumb swept over my cheekbone. “I want it too. But only if you’re there with me. It’s always been you and me, Mare.”

A faint smile ghosted his lips. “Now you know the first rule of thieves. And thanks to an ill-timed saboteur, the first rule of snake charming.”