She could not estimate the passage of time so far below the surface, although she had no doubt Emich was moving faster than five men could. Piles of rubble littered the floor as he followed the line of ore. At long last, he stopped. His muscular body appeared even more massive while he stood, panting.
Morgen cautiously emerged into the cavern, carrying both the lantern and the enormous sack. She set the lamp on a boulder, dropping the bag to the ground. Then she returned for the hammer he’d given her and crouched to search for promising chunks of rock that might contain iron ore. Not wanting to waste any time, she got to work, cracking apart stones to get a better look at their contents. She began to fill the bag with the reddish mineral.
Emich smashed apart large rocks too big for her hammer to break with his weaponized tail. It didn’t take long to stuff the bag to its maximum capacity. She watched while he grasped the strap of the bag and carried it into the passage. His body’s width nearly filled the entire opening of the entrance.
A deep rumble, reminiscent of thunder, met her ears. She tilted her head, wondering if it was a storm. Summer rains were common this time of year. The sound of splitting rock echoed through the chamber. Just as she realized what was happening, she heard another noise. A strange moan broke from the passage’s entrance where Emich was hunched. His eyes shone in the candlelight as he tried to spin around.
Gravel and stones plummeted from the ceiling. Morgen stood still, frozen in place.
19
Everything moved in slow motion: the rocks falling around her, Emich scrambling toward her and her breathing—deceptively calm. His tail hooked around her and pulled her toward him, spurring her to action.
Half propelled by his tail and half stumbling, she launched toward the entrance of the passage as boulders crashed down in her wake, crushing the lantern behind her in the cavern, muffling all trace of light and hope. She fell through the dark onto the hard, abrasive ground. Morgen tried to lift herself up to crawl forward, but couldn’t. Her foot was caught in the pileup.
She lay there, feeling Emich’s tail try to wrap around her waist and pull, but she wouldn’t budge. The deep rumbling quieted, leaving only her gasping cries. Was this it? Had her fate caught up to her in this pitch-black place?
“I am stuck.” She wept against the gravel path, angry she would not live beyond this day.
A strange rattling reverberated through the passage. She couldn’t see a thing but sensed movement. Warm air blew against the back of her neck. Morgen sensed the dragon above her and was startled when she heard a loud crack. She lifted her head and looked over her shoulder into the darkness. Another burst of sound rang out. Along with it came a shower of sparks.
Sharp talons gripped her leg and pulled. Broken stones drummed against the ground as he tugged her free. She realized she’d been holding her breath and gasped at the stale, dusty air. Morgen sat up and leaned against the wall beside her. Through the dark, she reached for her aching heel. When her fingers wrapped around the tattered leather that covered her foot, she felt scraped skin.
“Ouch,” she muttered.
Again a warm burst of air brushed against her, but this time against her leg. She knew he was close, and she hoped he was unhurt. Morgen tried to get to her feet, which was a little dizzying in the darkened passage. Although she was in pain, she was prepared to dig out of there if she had to. She wanted to see daylight again, or even moonlight would suffice.
“Are we trapped?” she whispered, not expecting a response.
When she heard Emich answer, his voice startled her. “Not trapped, but the ore is under the rubble.”
All of that work for nothing, and they’d nearly been buried alive for their troubles. She reached out in the darkness and asked, “Are you injured?”
“I am fine, but what about your leg?”
She tried putting her full weight on her foot. It hurt, but she could tell nothing was broken. “I will recover.”
His voice consumed the darkness. “You must move clear then so I can recover the ore.”
“That does not sound safe,” she spoke her concerns.
“I can lead you back to the surface, but I came to my parents’ grave despite my safety to collect iron. I will not leave without it.”
From the tone of his voice, he meant what he said. She lifted the cloth that had fallen around her neck to cover her nose and mouth. Though she could not see the dust in the air, she tasted it on her tongue and felt it collect on her skin.
She spoke with determination. “If you are staying, so will I.”
“Very well, but move back. I must use the last of my strength to return to my dragon shape so I may uncover the sack of minerals.”
Morgen leaned against one side of the passage. Pointed rocks pressed into her back, and she edged up the path, stumbling over the uneven earth.
Nearby she heard rattling breaths and movement and imagined the tunnel filled with his scaly body. The thought of his eyes staring at her through the gloom while she blindly felt her way at the jagged wall made her uneasy. Without warning, a bloom of light illuminated the darkness behind her, and she spun around.
Fire licked at the passage filled with soil and minerals. The silhouette of Emich’s dragon form was hunched before the wall of rubble with his jaw open. The stream of flame went out, leaving only the smell of burned earth. The sound of stones clattering into the tunnel put her on edge, and she questioned her decision to stay.
Morgen continued to edge backward up the slope of the dark passage. A breeze of movement stirred the air and tousled stray hairs from her face. She imagined Emich clawing at the rubble and stabbing at it with his pointed tail, though she could not see a thing.
After a time, the sounds of earth filling the tunnel stopped, save for a few tapping rocks that clattered free. Grunting filled the dusty air while a scraping sound joined it.
Cool scales brushed past her, bumping her against the wall. Something curled behind her and pulled her forward. She lifted her hands to grab onto it, realizing it was Emich’s tail. It began to lead her through the inky passage.
She had remained in the darkness long enough. She didn’t know if he’d dislodged the sack of minerals or if he’d given up, but she didn’t care. Morgen stumbled and tripped her way upward. They moved at a slower pace than when they’d entered this dismal place. The whole time she thought of living to see her father again. Each step hurt, but it brought her closer to the surface.
Then she began to see angular shapes and lines around her. She focused on Emich’s black silhouette against the growing light at the end of the tunnel as they pressed on. The cold, damp bowels of the earth were left behind. Morgen gasped at the warmer air that wafted against her face.
Finally she stumbled out of the mouth of the tunnel. The sun was low on the horizon, bathing the mountains in a soft twilight. She stared at the hues of purple and pink splashed against the sky, thankful to be present and witnessing the beauty of the world.
Ahead of her was Emich. The dragon. He was staring at her and almost purring. He stepped closer and dropped his muzzle toward the ground, and she noticed him sniff her ankle again. She looked down at it for the first time in the light. Bloody scrapes covered her skin. It stung, but she’d climbed from the depths of the cave. Walking home couldn’t be any worse.
She sighed. “Did you unearth it? The ore?”
* * *
Emich dipped his right shoulder down and the large satchel rolled into view and smacked onto the ground with a loud thud.
“Very good.” Morgen sighed and brushed the dirt from her forehead. “I wish to leave this place.”
She limped down the rocky slope, following the faint trail on the mountainside. She heard shuffling behind her and a few small stones tumbled past. She was thankful the hike home wasn’t uphill, for her legs and body might not have tolerated it.
Once they reached the tree line, Emich took the lead through the forested area. He would pause and glance her way as he waite
d for her to catch up to him. The heavy sack filled with rocks and ore couldn’t have been comfortable balanced on his back.
They reached a bluff that faced northwest. From that vantage point she could see in every direction. The blue of Emich’s lake sparkled in the dying light. It didn’t appear far, though the strain of the day was beginning to catch up to her. She stopped and braced her hand at the low of her back while she took a series of long breaths.
Emich wandered over to a cluster of stones and slid the large bag from his shoulder. It thudded to the ground with a loud smack. He shook his head from side to side like a horse shooing flies away and groaned. The sound bounced through the surrounding valleys.
She limped to join him where he stood and noticed the stones were more than a natural outcropping. They had been built up into an enclosed wall. Charcoal and scorch marks covered the ground. Then it dawned on her. This was a smelting furnace, the place where he heated iron ore to its melting point to make a bloom of iron—or better yet, steel.
Another rattling noise drew her attention away from the furnace. Emich had sidled up to her and lowered his head. It was clear he was trying to communicate.
“What is it?” she asked.
He nudged against her and cast a look over his shoulder to his back. His nostrils flared as he inhaled, then he lowered his head again.
Morgen rested her hand between his shoulder blades where the series of spikes ended and the front of his wings began. His scales were smooth, almost slippery. The muscles under her fingers flexed at her touch. Something brushed against her back, pushing her into him. She gasped and looked around at his tail.
“Shall I climb on, then?”
His head turned and he blinked at her. Her ankle and foot had been bothering her, but she’d been ignoring it the best she could. Having a ride back was appealing. She was hungry and thirsty since the bag she’d loaded with food and drink was buried at the base of the mine.
Morgen pressed her hands against his neck, trying to lift herself up. She raised her good leg to curl it over his back, but she didn’t have quite enough height. That was when his tail pressed against her again and assisted raising her the final distance. She clung to his neck spikes as she adjusted her legs so they dangled above his forelegs.
He spun away from the rocky furnace and pointed southeast toward the darkening lake. They left behind the setting sun and the leather bag filled with iron ore. Morgen had traveled by horse before. There were certainly similarities, but it wasn’t this exhilarating riding a steed.
He’d said he wouldn’t hurt her, and he’d done everything he could to protect her. When she’d thought she’d never see the light of day again, he’d freed her from the cave-in. Grateful couldn’t begin to express her emotion.
Emich darted through the forested slopes, avoiding trunks and branches in the dim. Before long, he carried her out from the trees and onto the grassy meadow. The sun had melted below the horizon. The moon and stars reflected on the surface of the lake. He walked up to the kitchen door and stopped.
Morgen sighed before sliding from his shoulders onto the ground.
“I will get you some clothes,” she muttered and went inside.
In the dark she searched for a candle and the flint and steel. Soon the length of the hall was bathed in a soft yellow light. She went into his room and found a dirty shirt and breeches on the floor.
She went to the kitchen threshold and held out the clothing. A hand hooked around the door and relieved her of the items. Emich’s muttered response met her ears. “Thank you.”
Morgen tried swallowing, but her throat was too dry. She limped back into the kitchen to pour herself some ale. Her arms shook as she lifted the cup to her lips and gulped it down. Once she’d emptied it, movement caught her attention.
In through the doorway walked Emich, dressed in the clothes she’d provided him. She refilled the cup and brought it to him. “You must be thirsty.”
He took it from her but held onto her hand and led her to the table, where he placed the cup. Emich guided her to sit on the bench and squatted beside her. His hands were warm as he touched her ankle to lift her foot to get a better look.
He frowned at the scratches. “You father trusted me to keep you safe. I should not have allowed you to go.”
“It was my choice. And I am fine,” she answered. She liked the feel of his hands on her and didn’t want to pull herself free from his grasp. “Just a bit dirty. In a day or two I should be perfectly well. It will not stop me from helping you.”
“When I saw you pinned in the tunnel…”
She looked down at him. “You can see in the dark?”
He set her foot back on the ground and rubbed his jaw. “Ja, amongst other things.”
“What else can you do?” she breathed out, curious to learn more.
Emich shook his head. “That is not a conversation for now.”
“What then? Do you wish to speak of the weather?” she answered playfully, trying to lighten his mood.
He stood up with a suddenness that surprised her and went to the worktable, where he cut a few slices of bread and cheese. He gave her some and stood above her while she took her first bite.
“You risk yourself unnecessarily. Without reason. You could have died today and you make light of it.” Strands of his blond hair fell into his eyes as he glared at her.
She chewed a mouthful before swallowing and answering, “Do you truly think me mindless? Just because you do not understand me does not mean I act without reason.”
Morgen continued to eat her bread and cheese. Men might think themselves the superior sex, but their lack of understanding could fill the oceans. She stood up with a sigh and limped to the open doorway. “I wish to bathe the dirt from my skin before turning in for the night.”
She walked across the meadow to the rocky shore of the lake and popped the last of her food in her mouth. Morgen unlaced her shoes and pulled them off. She had begun to loosen the binding of her dress when she heard the soft swish of footsteps through the grass.
“Come to scold me for nearly dying?” she asked over her shoulder.
His response came after a pause. “Do you realize how infuriating you are?”
She grinned to herself. She was fully aware, though she ignored the question.
Morgen peeled her dirty, dust-covered dress over her head and dropped it on the shore before wading into the frigid waters of the lake wearing only her kirtle. The scrapes on her foot stung, but they quickly went numb from the cold.
She leaned down to collect a handful of water in her cupped hands to wash her face. She might not have a means of looking at herself, but she didn’t need it to know just how dirty she was. Her grit and grime had their own layers of filth. She could feel it leave her skin as she washed it away.
Morgen plunged under the water, fully submerging herself. Nearby, she heard Emich splash into the lake and concluded that he must have given up on the discussion in exchange for a clean body, which was fine by her. She was too tired to keep up the bickering.
She lifted her head out of the water and freed her hair from its messy braid, glancing over to peek at Emich. There was enough moonlight to see him wading in his breeches. She pinched her eyes shut and ducked below the surface again, trying to push away the thoughts of his muscular body.
When she was done, she swam back to the shallows and waded to shore. Water funneled from her kirtle, down her legs and onto the ground. The fabric clung to her body. She should have cared. She should have covered up. Better yet, she shouldn’t have bathed with a man to begin with. But it pleased her to be near him.
Ripples cast out, touching the shore. Two strides away from her, Emich was slicking his hair away from his face.
She took a deep breath and ventured to say, “Thank you—for freeing me from the rocks. I thought this day was my last, but thanks to you I will live to frustrate you further.”
His gaze settled on her. She felt his eyes travel along her water
logged body. She looked down at her hands, which she was wringing together.
He stepped out of the water, joining her on land. He touched her arm, and he whispered, “My heart stopped when those rocks began to crumble around you. I thought my life was over.”
“You would have been safe in the passage,” she answered quietly, watching him move even closer to her.
“That is not what I mean.” He swallowed and lifted his gaze to meet hers.
She felt his breath on her face and leaned in. She didn’t care if it wasn’t proper. She was following her heart, which was thundering loudly in her ears.
Their lips met in a gentle kiss. His eyes widened, and just when she thought he might step away, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him. His mouth pressed against hers more hungrily than she had expected, and she felt a fire ignite within her she didn’t want put out.
Morgen held his face between her hands. She tilted her head back as his warm breath touched her neck. Just as Emich’s mouth pressed against her wet skin, his name escaped her trembling lips.
20
It took all of his strength to let go of her, though he wanted her more than anything.
He stepped back and muttered, “It would not be right.”
Emich avoided looking at her, for she stood in her drenched underclothes, leaving nothing to the imagination. He was hopelessly infatuated. He had no idea how to shake her from his thoughts.
They returned to the house in silence. He could tell she was annoyed with him because her lips tightened into a thin line. She wouldn’t look at him as she wordlessly slipped into her room and shut the door.
He kept telling himself he’d done the right thing as he went into his own sleeping quarters. Emich peeled off his wet breeches, dropping them to the floor, and climbed into bed. He pinched his eyes shut, trying to force his thoughts to what he needed to accomplish the following day. Yet all he could think about was Morgen.
Sirens and Scales Page 154
