Chapter 22

An age came and went, Solna was positive, before the grinding, sinking feeling slowed to silent stillness in the perfect dark. Cold earth pressed in around them, but didn’t seem to be in danger of collapse. Jagged breaths made his husband twitch in his arms and clench small hands into Solna’s tunic in spasmodic motions. It took Solna a couple of hard swallows to clear the dryness enough to speak.

“Vius, is this your doing?” His voice came out in a cracked whisper, too loud in their bubble of dirt. Solna shuddered. At least they were not in a tomb.

Vius hummed a too soft noise in answer. A tiny shiver of dread raced down his spine. Solna wished he could see

“Vius, please,” Solna tried again, a little louder. “Did you do this?”