Chapter 274 The descent 2

Chapter 274: Chapter 274 The descent 2

Talia’s POV

Kaelen studied the water. "It is shallow. We can walk through it."

I looked at him. "But the silver... it will burn you."

He looked at me. "I know, Talia."

I shook my head. "Kaelen, your skin is already burned. If you go in that water..."

He reached for my hand. "I have no choice, Talia."

I felt the tears prick at my eyes. "Kaelen..."

He squeezed my hand. "We have to get to your mother. This is the only way."

I looked at the water, and I felt the fear and anger mixing in my chest. "There has to be another way."

He shook his head. "There is no other way, Talia."

I looked at him, and I saw the determination in his eyes. He was going to do this, no matter what I said.

"Kaelen," I said. "Please. I cannot watch you hurt yourself."

He pulled me close. "Talia, I will be fine. I promise."

I pulled back and looked at him. "You cannot promise that, Kaelen."

He looked at me. "Then trust me."

I closed my eyes, and I nodded. "I trust you."

I knelt down and tore more cloth from my shirt. I wrapped it around his legs and feet, covering as much skin as I could.

"Keep these covered," I said. "The water will burn through the cloth eventually."

He looked at me. "What about you?"

I shook my head. "The silver does not affect me the same way, Kaelen."

He looked at me. "Talia..."

I took his hand. "I will be fine. Let us go."

We stepped into the water together.

The cold hit me immediately, sharp and biting. The water was deeper than I expected, rising to my knees. I could feel the burn even through my boots, and I knew Kaelen was feeling it worse.

I looked at him, and I saw him flinch. His face was pale, and his jaw was tight.

"Kaelen," I said. "Are you okay?"

He nodded, but his voice was strained. "I am fine, Talia. Keep moving."

We walked through the water, and the burn grew worse. My feet were aching, and I could feel the silver seeping through my boots.

Then I heard Kaelen gasp.

I turned, and I saw him stumble. His legs were shaking, and I could see the pain on his face.

"Kaelen!" I grabbed his arm. "What is it?"

He shook his head. "The water... it is burning through the cloth."

I looked down, and I saw the cloth burning off. The silver water was eating through it, and reaching his skin.

"Kaelen, we need to move faster," I said.

He nodded, but I could see he was struggling. His steps were slow, and his breathing was shallow.

"Kaelen," I said. "Let me help you."

He shook his head. "I am fine, Talia."

"You are not fine," I said. "Let me help you."

I put his arm around my shoulder, and I took some of his weight. He was heavy, but I did not care. I would carry him if I had to.

We walked through the water, and I felt the burn on my own skin. But I did not stop. I could not stop.

"Kaelen," I said. "We are almost across."

He nodded, but I could see the pain in his eyes. The silver was burning him, and I could not do anything to stop it.

We reached the other side, and I pulled him out of the water. He collapsed against the wall, with his legs giving out beneath him.

"Kaelen!" I knelt beside him. "Kaelen, look at me."

He opened his eyes, and I saw the pain in them. "I am fine, Talia."

"You are not fine," I said. "Your legs..."

I looked down, and I saw the burns on his legs. The cloth was gone, and his skin was red and raw.

I felt the tears prick at my eyes. "Kaelen, I am so sorry."

He reached up and touched my face. "Do not be sorry, Talia. This is not your fault."

I shook my head. "I asked you to come with me. I asked you to do this."

He pulled me close. "And I would do it again, Talia. I would do it a hundred times."

I pressed my face into his chest, and I let myself cry. The tears came fast and hot, and I could not stop them.

"I cannot lose you, Kaelen," I whispered.

He pressed his lips to my forehead. "You will not lose me, Talia. I promise."

I pulled back and looked at him. "Promise me, Kaelen."

He looked into my eyes. "I promise."

We sat there for a moment, holding each other. Then I heard a sound.

They were Whispers.

I froze. "Kaelen, do you hear that?"

He listened. "I do not hear anything, Talia."

I shook my head. "I hear whispers, Kaelen."

He looked at me. "What do they say?"

I listened, and the whispers grew louder.