He stops and looks around as if trying to orient himself. I think we should keep going that way.

With no other options, we keep walking, our eyes on our feet, lest anything materialize out of the fog. Nadir pulls out the canteen, and we share the water as the humidity climbs and sweat trickles down our backs.

As I’m swallowing the last drops, Nadir jerks to a stop. I crash into him, almost knocking him over, too focused on our surroundings to notice. He grabs me, yanking me around the waist against his front, and then I see what’s caught his attention.

My foot rests on the edge of a steep drop. Another step and I would have fallen. It stretches before us, and whatever is across and below is lost to the mist. Sharp spears of rock jut up from the fog, all at various heights. I squint down at the swirling clouds.

“I suppose we have to figure out a way over this,” I say wryly, and Nadir nods.

“I suppose.” Dropping to my knees, I stretch flat onto the ground, hoping to discern something useful through the fog, but everything is by design and thus hopeless.

“I’m guessing those spikes are anchored to the bottom of this drop,” I say, pushing myself back onto my knees, and Nadir nods. “But we have no idea how far down they go.”

“Or if more are hiding,” he adds.

Unless the drop is miles and miles, we should be able to survive it. But if one of those spires is disguised by the mist, not even Fae strength will help us.

“I’ll go first,” I say, staring into the swirling void, grinding my back teeth.

“Lor,” Nadir says, dropping down next to me. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I was wrong about the berries, but this has to work.”

I look at him and lay a hand against his cheek. “We have to get out of here. It’s the only way.”

His eyes darken, and he looks like he wants to argue. Like he wants to tear apart the sky.

I look down again, swallowing thickly. “Once I’m at the bottom, I’ll find you a safe place to jump.”

“I don’t like this,” he says.

“I know.”

Pressing up to my feet, I inhale a deep breath that does nothing to settle my nerves. Herric won’t kill me, I remind myself. But that thought offers little comfort. He obviously isn’t above hurting me, but I can handle a little pain. Nadir watches me, and I offer him a watery smile. For him, a little pain is nothing.

I throw my arms around his neck and whisper, “I love you.”