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“A moonstone?” she asks. “It looks just like the one that Doc had.”

“It sure is.” I hand it to her before cutting out a few more and placing them in the leather pouch of my belt.

“It’s so beautiful,” she says in awe. I look up, and her gaze shifts to me.

“Yes, it is,” I reply, wanting to say more. Wishing I could say the things awake that we both feel while sleeping.

Water rushes in the distance, and we follow the stream, the mystical stones lighting our way, leading us deeper. The reflection of the water is risky with the queen being able to use it against us. But we have no choice, and hopefully, the steam will prevent her from being able to see where we are.

After a while, the path widens, revealing a large arched opening covered in thousands of moonstones, splitting and wrapping on either side. The water flows through the middle, cascading into a pool of shimmering blue water with steam rising up like sterling clouds.

And in the middle, raised out of the azure depths, stand twelve stone pillars, reaching all the way to the top of the cavern, as if they are securing the canopy of carved stone above. Wide-set stone-carved steps lead down into the water like an ornate invitation.

“It looks like a giant wishing well.” Adelaide’s voice is barely a whisper beside me.

“Yeah, it kind of does, doesn’t it?” I reply.

She releases a deep breath, and I take one of my own.

“How do I know that it won’t suck me in or something?” Worry covers her face, and she looks to me for guidance that I’m not qualified to give.

“I’ll be right here, I promise.” I hold my hand out for her to take, and she does, locking our fingers together. “I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

“According to Happy, I must face the water, like my fears, and submerge myself in truth or something like that.”

So, she squeezes my hand once before she drops it and walks and walks up the steps. And as promised, I follow.

She removes her cape and turns to face me, those ruby lips beckoning.

“Don’t be scared.” My voice is barely a whisper because I don’t want my own fear to show.

Not just the worry of this moment… but of what comes later. When she remembers.

“I’m not.” She lies to us both, but right now, she doesn’t need me to go over the instructions again. She doesn’t need me to tell her that everything is going to be okay. She just simply—needs me.

I place my rough hands, hunter’s hands… a killer’s hands, on either side of her delicate face.

“You can do this, Princess.” I bend down so that we are at eye level so she can see me. Hear me. Feel me. And know that my words are true. “Look at everything you’ve been through. This is just a little bit of water. Nothing to be afraid of.”

My hands fall away from her cheeks reluctantly, and I nod at her with reassurance.

“It’s only a little bit of water.”

“Water in a world where people jump through mirrors and the evil queen wants my blood. Yeah, kind of freaked-out at the moment.” Adelaide looks over her shoulder and smiles through it all. “How do I know there isn’t some nasty water creature in there?”

“Because she lives in the Seventh, not here.”

“Not exactly helping.” She cracks a smile, then kicks off her boots. Then Adelaide turns her back to me before she slowly removes her leather cover-up, dropping it to the ground before her sweater follows. And then her leggings, then her undergarments—everything… except her necklace, until she’s naked before me. I should turn around, but I can’t. I’m captivated by her body and her beautiful bravery.

I fight the urge to reach for her. To feel her skin under my fingertips.

“What are you doing?”

Torturing myself, I suppose.

“Trying to be a gentleman and keep my hands to myself.” I avert my eyes from where she stands, exposed, with her hands to her sides and her long dark hair still tied up in place.

This is different from the bathhouse. Before from she felt the need to hide from me. Tonight, she wants me to see her. All of her.