They should have known better than to follow the glowing stones.
But the path they'd been walking had vanished behind them — swallowed by shifting cliffs and whispering winds. The only way forward was through a narrow canyon, its walls laced with veins of pulsing silver.
Kael touched one, frowning. "Magic. Old. And not the friendly kind."
"No such thing as friendly mountain magic," Liora muttered.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the world shifted.
The air grew warmer — too warm. Scents of firewood, spice, and something richer curled in the air. The cave walls shimmered, transforming into smooth marble. Candles flickered to life along the floor, casting golden light on everything.
Liora's eyes widened. "What the hell is this?"
Kael didn't answer. He was staring at her.
And not like he usually did, with that cocky grin and teasing lilt in his voice.
No — this was different.
His gaze roamed over her body like a caress, slow and hungry, as if he were seeing every curve and shadow for the first time. And Liora felt it. Felt the heat coil low in her belly.
The mountain was testing them.
"This is an illusion," she whispered. "We need to move."
Kael stepped closer. "Do we?"
Her breath caught.
His fingers brushed her jaw — just a whisper of touch — and every nerve in her body screamed. She hated him. She didn't trust him.
So why did her body lean into him like it belonged there?
"Kael…" she warned, voice shaking.
He pressed her back against the marble wall, his body just inches from hers, hands braced beside her head. His breath was hot against her ear.
"I know it's magic," he murmured. "But tell me you don't feel it too."
She did. Gods, she did.
The spell didn't create desire — it only amplified what was already there.
"I hate you," she said through gritted teeth.
His lips brushed her neck — barely — and she shivered.
"I know," he whispered. "That's what makes this so damn dangerous."
Her hands gripped his cloak, fingers twitching between shoving him away and pulling him closer.
And then — a pulse of light. The illusion shattered.
They were back in the real cave, chests heaving, eyes locked.
Neither said a word.
But the line between enemies and something else had just been crossed.
And the mountain? It was far from done with them .