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.

as long as we’d been working and for as much as we’d moved, it didn’t even

from now until my birthday digging,

wandered to Eliza

to coals since it

was on her lap and her eyes were fixed on

concentration, the way her brow scrunched up just a tiny bit,

I knew she was focused,

should have packed some dynamite,"

asked,

thing wide open! I mean, we’re doing all this work and we don’t even know for sure if this is the right

her.If she says this is the way, then

"Hey guys!"

clamored up the rock pile, waving the map around.Her feet slipped on the shifting rocks, causing several to knock loose

careful! We’ll come to you,"

her head and reached us at the top before I could make a move closer to

it?" Abe

need water." She handed us each a

"Oh, you’re a Goddess!"

around the corners of his mouth, and down his throat.I shook my head and took a swig of the fresh,

like drinking the

I took several

"Alright, I’m hydrated.

What’s the big deal?"

asked, handing Eliza

her shoulder and pointed to the

been studying the map, and I think I might have overlooked

sheepishly and bit her lower

long as it means we don’t have to dig through these

down on the

squatting and lifting but I knew if I sat down, I wouldn’t want to get back

city.I can’t promise it will be cleared, but it might be a lot easier to get through."She

What other way

sang, throwing his head

ran her finger along a few of

"Here."

She tapped the map.

think this is supposed to be a river that goes into the

underground river?" I

and looked at

we went into with the

that cave and then the original

that cave is

an underground river?" I arched

a little far-fetched

rivers weren’t something that came up commonly in

again, a mythical city might have a

I saw the cave in my vision.It was so big and imposing, just like in real life.But I honestly didn’t think much

"Yes!"

threw his fist in

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

Eliza glanced at me.

I looked over the

so hard but made hardly

time to go look at the cave and it turned out to be

back

much in the grand

want to spend days exploring the cave in hopes of finding something so

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

don’t lose any time clearing

"Get your things.Let’s go."

up the

up coming back, it was

there was anyone following us, it would make it harder for them to

Abe hadn’t picked up on anyone last night, but that didn’t mean they weren’t

sure you’re okay with this?" Eliza asked as we loaded up

so well it

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

about this, I trust

"Do you?" I sighed.

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

Comments ()

0/255