CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHT - HEARTFELT CONFESSIONS

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Anna felt her foot slide on a patch of slick rock. She gasped, her arms windmilling as she fought to regain her balance. In an instant, Erik was there, his strong arms wrapping around her waist, steadying her. "I've got you," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. For a moment, the world fell away, and it was just the two of them, hearts beating in sync. Freya's irritated voice broke the spell. "If you two are quite finished, we have a mission to complete." Anna felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment as she disentangled herself from Erik's embrace. She muttered a quiet thanks, avoiding his gaze as they continued their descent. The tunnel narrowed as they pressed on, forcing them to walk single file. Erik led the way, his broad shoulders barely fitting through some of the tighter passages. Anna followed, her senses on high alert. Every sound, every shift in the air currents, every change in the texture of the rock beneath her fing