Chapter 1407

He staggered back, and the roots above moved. Just slightly, but enough to see. They pulled back like parting curtains, revealing a small staircase behind the pedestal - stone carved, spiraling down into a darkness so deep it shimmered.

The island had shown them the door.

Lucy was on her feet first, crossing to him, licking the nectar from his lips before kissing him deeply. "Where does it lead?"

"I don't know," he whispered. "But I need to find out."

"We all do," Sophie said from behind them.

Without hesitation, one by one, they followed Jude to the stairs. The spiral path was narrow, barely wide enough for two, and slick with condensation. As they descended, their bodies pressed together, hips brushing, hands slipping into the familiar places they'd already explored again and again.