“You don’t have to think. Just do what I tell you. One more move. You can do it.”
She did as I asked, her growing initiative showing as she pushed through.
I talked her down to the ledge, the movement a victory. By the time we reached it, my throat was raw and my muscles screamed from the strain of holding myself in position while guiding her.
I pulled her against the wall the moment her feet touched the ledge, positioning myself between her and the drop. Finally, finally, I could hold her like I ached to do, straining to listen for footsteps above while her heartbeat slowed against my chest.
She collapsed against me, shaking.
I wrapped an arm around her, clinging to the wall on either side, and lowered my mouth to her ear. “You survived the Rite. You survived the attempts on your life. You survived your father’s whip. His payment is overdue.” My voice dropped to something fierce and tender at once. “This storm doesn’t get to break you unless you let it.”
Her breathing hitched.
“If you fall, I’m coming with you, and I have too much left to do to die tonight.”
A sound escaped her that might’ve been a laugh or a sob.
We stood like that for a long moment, her heart racing against mine, rain streaming down our faces. Gradually, her breathing steadied. The shaking eased to tremors.
Thunder rumbled again, softer this time.
Isi tensed but didn’t freeze or stop breathing. I felt the difference in her body. She was fighting it now instead of surrendering.
I described the path, each hand and foothold, painting a picture with words while rain pelted us and the storm raged.
“I’m going first this time,” I said. “I’ll be right below you. If you slip, I’ll catch you.” The confidence in my voice was absolute, even though we both knew me being able to do it was questionable at best. But she needed to hear the certainty more than she needed the truth.
I released her carefully, making sure she was stable before I started down.
Lightning flashed.
We kept moving.
Pride swelled in my chest as I eased her through each grip, each foothold. Her hands shook on the stone, but she was doing it. Actually doing it despite the terror that wanted to consume her.
We were almost there when thunder crashed so loudly the entire tower seemed to shake.
Her foot slipped.
I braced myself to catch her weight, to break her fall even if it meant we both went down.
But she caught herself. Found a new foothold. Kept climbing.
This woman was magnificent.
I reached the window first, testing it with one hand while maintaining my grip with the other. It opened easily, and I found the bedroom beyond empty.
I pulled myself through and turned back, reaching out for her.
Another flash of lightning lit up the sky.
She met my eyes instead of looking at the storm.
“Almost there, Minx. Take my hand. I’m right here.”
Her hand found mine, wet and cold and shaky, but reaching.
Thunder crashed as I hauled her through the window. We tumbled together onto the floor inside, a tangle of soaked limbs and gasping breaths.