Moon Shimmers(93)

I pressed my lips together. Was he just trying to antagonize me now?

Delilah moved between us. “Bran, can you go help Shade? He’s exploring around the hole where the Elemental came from.”

As Bran moved off, Delilah glanced at him over her shoulder. “Don’t mind him. He’s an annoyance, but I don’t think he’s deliberately trying to goad you. Remember, Raven Mother dotes on him and she doesn’t rein him in. She’s like a lot of parents, Elemental Lady or not.”

I shrugged. “Whatever. But once I’m living out at Talamh Lonrach Oll, I’m setting some limits. He may be welcome in Aeval’s court but he’s not setting up residence in mine.” I glanced up at the mountain, my nerves playing me like a harp strung way too tight. “Where is he?”

“Give it time—” Delilah stopped as the air nearby shimmered and Smoky stepped through, looking no worse for the wear.

“You’re back!” I raced over to him, grabbing him around the waist as I planted my face firmly against his chest. “I was so worried.” I didn’t care who knew it. I tried to keep a brave front but even I had my limits. Standing back, I then placed one hand on his chest. “If you ever do that again, I swear I’m going to kill you when you get back! You understand me?”

His nose twitched and he gave me a wry grin. “What? Save the group?”

“Yes. No. You know what I mean.” I tried to glare at him but couldn’t manage it. “Oh fuck it. I’m just glad you’re back. You scared the hell out of me. So tell. What happened?”

“That Earth Elemental knew how to hang on. I had to go deep into the currents to shake him. Luckily, it seems that once away from solid ground, Earth Elementals have a way of turning back into the inanimate matter from which they’re made. You know how you fall asleep?”

I nodded.

“Well, he fell…to dirt. I was able to shake him off then, but it took me longer than I expected. He’ll never wake up there.”

“Good information to have.” I contemplated this for a moment. “Would this work on all the elements?”

“Maybe not air, but then again, grabbing hold of an Air Elemental would be a feat almost impossible to master. I don’t really want to try it.” He gazed down at me, tipping my chin up. “I promised you I’d come back. I will always keep my promises, love. You know that, don’t you?”

I reached up to stroke his cheek. “I know you mean what you say, Smoky. But there are forces in this world that could devour both of us without blinking. One of these days, I’m afraid you’ll run into one and it will strike you down before you realize what’s happening.”

“Then I promise to be more vigilant.” He leaned down and brushed my lips with a kiss. “We’d best get a move on now, my Fae Queen in waiting.”

I nodded, and he motioned to the others. “I don’t know if we’ll encounter anything else till we reach the cavern—it’s right along the fork—but stay alert.” And with that, he led off again.

We skirted the hole that had contained the Elemental and continued toward the fork, where we turned to the left, edging along an even steeper path toward the Cavernica Redal. All the way—which was short but slow going—I felt like we were being watched, but nothing else came popping out to try to stop us. Fifteen minutes later, sweating from the harrowing climb, we reached the ledge in front of the cavern. It was wide enough for us to gather on without crowding, and for the first time since we had started up the mountain, I felt like I could breathe without fear of toppling over the side.

I stared at the cavern. Here I was, not quite at the top of the world, and inside lay the key to my destiny. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be feeling—wonder, thrills, fear…but mostly I felt queasy and I was sick of being on the road. I was tired, and I wanted to climb into a warm bed and sleep for a couple days.

“You want all of us in there with you?” Chase wandered over to where I was standing.

“Might as well. It’s cold out here, maybe it will be warmer inside.” I flashed him a weary smile. “Mostly, I just want this done and over with.”

“I hear you on that one.” He winked at me. “Remember when life was so easy? When the good old days when I’d come into the store and flirt with you and you’d threaten to kick me in the balls if I didn’t stop?”

That broke the tension. I coughed, then snorted, then laughed so hard my voice echoed through the night. “Oh gods, I know I shouldn’t be so loud, but I can’t help it.” Wiping tears away from my eyes, I draped my arm around his shoulder. “Chase, I’m glad you’re here. You’ve always been here for us. Thank you.”