Reign of Ruin (Elderwood Series Book 2) by J.C. Blacklock

Author:J.C. Blacklock [Blacklock, J.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica Blacklock
Published: 2023-06-15T16:00:00+00:00

Swiping my long, plaited hair over my shoulder, we descended into the third chamber. The sounds of running water and bubbling pools quieted to that eerie silence once again as the light from the crystals grew in intensity, and my feet faltered.

The space was stunning, but what caught my breath and made my eyes grow impossibly large with wonder was the intricately designed temple carved straight from the cave itself. It was the only structure taking up the entirety of the space. And I'm not exaggerating when I say it was enormous.

I hadn’t realized I froze in my steps until Cadeyrn pulled gently on my elbow.

“This...” I trailed off, lost for words, “is... unbelievable.”

Cadeyrn nodded. “Yeah, it is.”

The structure was reminiscent of a Buddhist temple, made entirely from white stone that glowed a heavenly blue in the crystal's light. Tall pillars and dome-shaped spires shot upwards from the peaked roofs, and large stone steps led to a door so big that I gulped, fearing what kind of monster lay beyond it.

Our footsteps echoed along the ground. Now closer, I realized the stone was actually marble, with thin lines of dark grey and silver rivered throughout.

Giant statues made of the same material stood sentinel at the entrance. Two muscular lions with talons for arms, eagle wings and head. A griffon, I recognized, thanks to my love of fantasy novels.

Shaking off the foreboding feeling, we passed the imposing statues, entered the arched doorway, and into a wide hallway.

No light penetrated the marble walls from the crystals outside. I clutched tightly to Cadeyrn’s arm as he led the way through the darkness.

Every sound or groan of the walls around us made me jump, so by the time we entered a square room with no other structure except a massive stone door, my knuckles were white, and my body was sore from the tension.

Cadeyrn removed my hand from his bicep and gave it a slight squeeze to indicate it was safe.

Fire suddenly sprang to life, making me yelp. Torches lined the wall on either side of another massive door. Once the shock wore off and I could breathe again, I was thankful for the added benefit of sight.

The door was easily fifty feet high and so wide that it would take a giant to push it open.

No creature guarded the entrance, and for some reason, that was more unnerving than if someone was standing there, bloody sword in hand.

More torches flickered to life along the far wall in round stone bowls atop small pillars, roughly waist height, stretching in either direction along the length of the room.

“Do you think there is something in there guarding the spear?” I asked, eyeing the intimidating barrier between us and the unknown.

Cadeyrn grunted. "Knowing Merlin, it's probably something pretentious and completely excessive."

“Like a dragon?” I drawled dryly.

He shrugged, taking a cautious step towards the entrance. “Or something worse. Something that the Fates refuse to let see the light of day.”

“Oh, great. Nothing to worry about then,” I mumbled sarcastically.

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