Chapter 154

ARIA'S POV

The cave loomed before me, dark and eerie, like a yawning mouth ready to swallow me whole. This wasn’t just any cave. This was the only place that held the sapphire—the crowning jewel for my mermaid tear necklace. Without it, the design would lose its magic, its purpose.

This was my comeback, my first design after years of silence. I had to make an impression, and that sapphire was the key.

“I’m sure I want to go in,” I said firmly, shaking my head at Kieran’s suggestion to reconsider.

He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You say that now, but you know caves can collapse, right? Maybe you should really think this through.”

“I’ve already thought it through,” I replied. “I have to do this. And I can go in by myself. You can stay out here.”

Kieran raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “What kind of guide would I be if I just let you wander in there alone? No way.”

“I’m serious,” I said, adjusting my safety gear. “I’ll be fine.”