Page 130 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

My teeth chatter as I look around, gathering my bearings. I want to scream, but that’s not a real solution. I need to think as if this were a real scenario. I glance up at the cliff face this time, noting the vines and edges that look wide enough to stand on.

If I jumped, I would need to get back, right? Problem is, I can’t climb with my arm like this. I whimper as I pull my leather jacket off. Alex had insisted that I wear it today. I understand why. It takes a few minutes, but I peel it off before wrapping it around my arm for a makeshift sling.

“Nobody is coming to save you,” I mutter to myself as I begin walking the cliff face. “What are you going to do to save yourself, Soraea?”

This canyon is barren save for a few trees growing out of the white rocks on either side of the ravine. Polished river rock covers the ground, water high enough that it is below the top layer of rock. My boots squelch with every step as I walk upstream, searching for the bough I leaped from.

It takes me a while to find it, but the spot of brown and green high above is unmistakable. Holy shit, I jumped from there. Large, thick vines cover this area of rock. I have to try. Maybe magic will pull me up.

Wrapping my left hand around the vine, I lean back, testing my weight to see if it will hold. When it does, I wrap it around my waist, making myself a harness. My vision darkens when I have to use both hands to tie it off.

This is not good. So not what I signed up for. When my breathing balances out again, I pull up with my left hand, bracing both feet on the rock, looking for ledges I can push off of. I’m going to have to walk my way up this wall.

With my right hand, I can slide the slack through. I make it three steps up the wall before I fall, swinging like a rock, slamming against the side.

I’m about to scream when I hear a snort. My head snaps to my right, where I find Alex standing with her arms crossed over her chest. “Did you think that would actually work?”

I glower at her as I bite out, “What was I supposed to do?”

Alex looks amused as she glances up the wall, bending back to see the top. “Nope, you’re right. This is the way out, but—” She looks at me flatly. “—your shoulder is dislocated. You wouldn’t make it ten feet.”

She moves, untying the vine for me while I simmer, feeling like a fool. “If you can’t climb,” she says, throwing the branch back to the wall, “what are your options?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Hence me trying to climb this ridiculous wall.”

“Predictable.” This time, she steps close, looking down at me. She’s freakishly tall. “Think. You’re smarter than this.”

I bite back a retort that is on the tip of my tongue when I see that cat again. Her fur glitters with gold as she sits further upstream, watching. Alex follows my line of sight before asking me what I’m looking at.

I’m about to tell her the cat, but then it vanishes. Damnit. I’m going crazy. I huff, annoyed at this whole day, but then I see it. It’s barely visible, but I see a trail that winds up the wall.

“Climb the path,” I bite out. “There.” I motion with my left hand.

Alex doesn’t even look over her shoulder. “Yes. You keep walking upstream until you find a place you can hike out or somewhere that is easier.”

Her gaze looks me up and down before she sighs. “Hold on, Princess.” She wraps an arm around my waist, summoning a vine without moving. It lifts her up the wall as she holds on to me. My left arm trembles, but I don’t let go. I have no doubt that she’d let me fall again just to teach me a lesson.

When we reach the ledge, she sets me down, calling over her shoulder to follow.

Ryker looks to be seconds away from smashing Riven’s face in. Despite my best attempts at promising Ryker I’m okay, the stubborn prince refuses to back down. His hands clench into two tight fists, and Trysten has his body angled as if to block Ryker from attacking, attempting to be subtle, but failing.

Riven stands in front of Ryker, arms crossed over his chest. “For the third time, your mate is fine.” He gestures to me, now completely healed, for emphasis.

“She jumped off a fucking cliff,” he growls.

Alex moves behind Riven. “The princess did just fine. A little foolish considering her situation, but she did what was required of her.”

Tate whistles low, making this whole situation worse.

Kellan steps in, glowering at the red-headed female. “She shouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place. Telling her what to expect so she was at least prepared⁠—”

“Enough!” I snap. “She is standing right here. She is perfectly fine. She is capable of assessing a situation and making my own godsdamned decisions.” I glare at my friends before turning my gaze to Alex. “And you should have told me.” I spin on my heel, heading to the training rings, only yelling over my shoulder once I’ve reached the edge. “It’s only midday, we still have training to get to.”

Ryker doesn’t understand that every time he shields me from a test, he’s telling me he doesn’t think I can pass it. I don't need a protector. I need him to be a partner who trusts me enough to know my own boundaries.

I find Vaeric waiting for me in the ring. He’s brutal, but efficient. I’m on my back too many times to count, but his nods of approval when I stand again keep me from complaining.

I step, throwing my arm, only for him to sweep my feet out from under me. “You give your moves away, Light Bringer. Use the element of surprise.”