Chapter 69 : Swallowed By Darkness

*Jared*

I woke before the sun and pulled my arms from around Eliza.

For a moment, I just watched her.Her face was so soft and peaceful as she slept, hair curling around her soft features so perfectly.

It was hard to pull away.I could have laid with her in my arms forever.

But Abe and I had a lot of work to do.

I kissed Eliza’s cheek and brushed my fingers lightly down her face.

She squirmed and turned away from me.I smiled to myself.She was perfect, and she was all mine.

Stretching, I threw some clothes on and nudged Abe’s tent.

"Get up, sleepy.We’ve got a long day ahead of us."

Abe groaned and I heard him shifting around.

While he got ready, I lit a fire and threw together a quick breakfast for us–a few fried eggs, some coffee, and bacon.It was the perfect energy boost we needed.

Abe crawled out of his tent and took the coffee I offered him.

He guzzled it down and then devoured his breakfast.

Afterward, he stood up and stretched, yawning like a fog horn.

"Ready to get to it?"I asked.

Abe smirked.

"That rock pile doesn’t look so bad.I bet we’ll have it cleared by noon."

"Right…."

The first rocks we moved out of the way were small and easy to toss aside.

It was just like brushing pebbles or gravel out of the way.

But it didn’t take long for Abe and me to get to the larger rocks.

One by one, we lifted them and hoisted them out of the way.

By the time Eliza woke up and started on her own breakfast, we’d been working for a few hours, and it barely felt like we’d made a dent.

I let my eyes wander toward Eliza as she moved around the camp.

Her tight pants clung to her hips, hanging low enough that I could see the edge of her underwear.

When she bent over, the hem of her shirt pulled up her back, revealing a lickable amount of her skin.

Unconsciously, I licked my lips.

"Hey, are you working, or am I going to do this whole thing myself!?" Abe snapped.

I shook myself out of my daze and looked at my friend.He was huffing and puffing as he shifted a massive rock.I went to him and helped lift.

"I just needed a little break," I smirked.

"Yeah, I know what you needed."

Abe shook his head.We tossed the large rock aside and each got back to work on some of the smaller, more manageable rocks.

The sun was getting higher in the sky and hotter.

Sweat soaked through the back of my shirt and dripped off my brow.

I pulled my shirt off and used it to wipe the sweat off my face and the back of my neck.

I tossed my shirt on the ground.

Abe did the same, only he tied his shirt around his head like a doo rag.

I shielded my eyes from the sun and looked at the rock pile.

much as we’d moved, it didn’t

my birthday digging,

wandered

at the fire, which had burned to coals since it was daytime and there was no need for

and her eyes were fixed

up just a tiny bit, and how her eyes narrowed in an

knew she

should have packed

asked,

this work and we don’t even know for sure if this is the right way to

is the way, then this

"Hey guys!"

voice immediately drew my attention.She clamored up the rock pile, waving the map around.Her feet slipped on the shifting rocks, causing

come to you," I

shook her head and reached us at the top before I could

it?" Abe

you two need water." She

"Oh, you’re a Goddess!"

water down, streams flowing over the edge of the canteen, around the corners of his mouth, and down his throat.I shook my head and took a swig of the

like drinking the nectar

took

"Alright, I’m hydrated.

What’s the big deal?"

Eliza

it over her shoulder and

been studying the map, and I think

smiled sheepishly and bit

we don’t have to dig through these rocks anymore, all is forgiven," Abe

and flopped down on the nearest

knew if I sat down, I wouldn’t want

is another way into the city.I can’t promise it will be cleared, but it might be

hallelujah! What other

sang, throwing

map and ran her finger along a few of

"Here."

She tapped the map.

to be a river that goes into the city.But

underground river?"

at the

is that cave we went

then the

that cave is

underground river?" I arched

whole thing sounded a little far-fetched to

that came up commonly

city might have

my vision.It was so big and imposing, just like in real life.But I honestly didn’t think much of it because I

"Yes!"

and threw his fist in

cave more.I mean, I was the one that pointed

Eliza glanced at me.

over the

hard but made hardly

we took some time to go look at the cave and it turned out to be a dead end,

come back and get back

a day wouldn’t mean that much in the grand scheme of

to spend days exploring the cave in hopes of finding something so we don’t have to come back and work,"

you’re that concerned about it, Eliza and I can check the cave while you keep

any time clearing the

"Get your things.Let’s go."

packed up the

up coming back, it was better to clean up

there was anyone following us, it would make

hadn’t picked up on anyone last night, but

with this?" Eliza asked

her, I cupped her cheek.She knew me so well it was

with our mate bond, if we really were mates.But small moments like this made me feel

about this, I trust

"Do you?" I sighed.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255