CHAPTER 82: 82-THE CAVE ALMOST KILLED ME

Iris:

Ever since we reached the top, the air and atmosphere had shifted.

Even the moods around us felt different.

Luca had been supportive, taking good care of me without making any unnecessary remarks that could make me uncomfortable.

Even while we were walking through the fog, he held my hand quickly to make sure I didn’t get lost.

I hated that I was the one everyone had to look after.

At this point, you’d think that as a princess, I would feel more empowered, but I was focused on the mission at the moment.

When we finally stood in front of the cave, I turned to look at Kash.

He had already been staring, not at me, but at my hand clasped together with Luca’s.

I knew I shouldn’t, but my instincts kicked in, and I began to wriggle free.

"Anyway, let’s get in there," I said, taking a step forward.

Before I could move further, Luca held my elbow and pulled me back.

I had only taken one step toward the cave when a swarm of bats burst out.

"Watch out!" I heard both Kash and Luca scream.

I squatted down, wrapping my arms over my head and tucking my face in, but none of the bats touched me, even as their squeals filled the air.

When I removed my arms, I realized why I had been secured, both Kash and Luca had shielded me with their bodies.

But that wasn’t the main problem. Lara screamed, pulling our attention away from the group.

We all turned to see that some of the bats had scratched her arms.

The bats were gone, but Lara stood frozen, her eyes locked on Kash. I swear my heart skipped a beat just from the way she looked at him.

"Lara, are you okay?" Kash asked, jumping to his feet.

But she began pacing away, glancing briefly at me and then back at him before sprinting into the fog.

"Shit," Kash cursed. He turned to us. "Make sure you stay here. I’ll go grab her." And with that, he disappeared into the fog.

"It got so awkward. I mean, I understand why she left," Luca commented, breaking the silence.

"You do?" I taunted, standing up and dusting off my pants.

"Her soon-to-be husband, who previously chose her over you, chose you this time. It’s a deadly situation. Those bats could be infected with any kind of disease, or maybe they are, given the world we live in. And his first instinct was to come for your rescue. Isn’t that weird?" Luca said, his usual teasing absent. His face was unreadable.

I tried to make up an excuse, but he just nodded.

"Do you think we should go in?" he asked, changing the topic to the cave.

"He said to wait for him," I muttered, and Luca rolled his eyes.

"Well, you don’t need him to take care of you. You have me. And I’m pretty sure you’re safer with me, because right now, you’re my priority. But Kash, on the other hand, he has someone he has to run after, like he did just now."

His comment hit hard. Then he explained further.

"Even if he saved you briefly, it doesn’t mean he will prioritize you later. Maybe Lara was far behind, so he didn’t notice her this time."

He gestured toward the cave.

"Shall we now?" he asked.

I paused, pondering whether he was right.

"Let’s go," I decided, giving him a head nod.

I noticed the way he smirked, not in a teasing way, but a quiet, happy victory, even when there shouldn’t have been one.

We weren’t here to argue or fight, we were here to find a cure for my son.

He took off his bag and handed me a flashlight, holding one for himself.

Then he went ahead and gave me a knife, a big knife, and took one for himself as well.

Luca knew I had some experience in the Lycan world with the fighters, though I wasn’t a great fighter.

I didn’t have the power or strength most of them had, but it was enough, enough to defend myself against certain animals if I had to.

We stepped into the darkness. When I turned on the flashlight, it illuminated the cave’s interior.

Almost instantly, I had the sense that Kash was right, this place was special.

Still, I wasn’t sure it was special enough to find a cure here. The cave seemed dry, not a place where herbs would grow.

As I followed Luca deeper inside, a wave of exhaustion washed over me.

My energy dipped sharply, making me feel almost like I could pass out.

I started rubbing my eyes, trying not to fall to my knees, but suddenly I felt so weak even the air seemed to leave my lungs.

I let out a deep breath, and Luca turned to glance at me.

"Are you okay?" he asked and I barely nodded.

"Yeah–let’s keep going. I want to turn this entire cave upside down to find a cure," I said, trying to push past him.

He grabbed my elbow and pulled me back.

"Iris, your body is turning hot. Why is that?" he asked, checking my forehead and cheeks.

"I’m fine, Luca. Let’s go," I panted, my breaths coming out heavy. I could feel myself struggling for oxygen.

"You don’t seem okay. Let’s take a break, go outside. I guess it’s too suffocating in here," Luca suggested but I shook my head.

"No. I need to get a cure for my son. Luca, you don’t get it." My eyes widened as I looked at him, and I noticed the way he stared back, almost as if he were watching a ghost.

"Let’s go," I said, trying to move, but he pulled me back again.

"You’re bleeding from your nose, Iris. What the fuck is wrong with you? You cannot just keep going in there," he said.

I grunted, freeing myself, but the harder I struggled, the more I realized I could barely breathe. He was right, I needed to get out.

As my tongue rolled back in my throat, my body suddenly felt lighter.

Luca had scooped me into his arms. He rushed ahead, carrying me toward the cave’s exit.