The bone drums echoed ought the stone chamber. Lorenzo swiftly shut the iron door, turning and leaning his back against the cool surface. He watched Alora as she began digging in a drawer, searching for the scrolls franticly. He pushed off the door, making way to the desk by the window to help her look.

“Tell me again why these scrolls are so important” Lorenzo mused, still rummaging through the desk. He checked each drawer for any secret compartments.

Alora let out a sigh, placing her hands on the cabinet to brace herself. “The scrolls contain ancient spells. Ancient spells that can mean life or death right now” she exclaimed. Her voice was soft, quiet. The bone drums outside continued to sound, each beat nearing. They had to find these scrolls fast and find an exit before they reached the castle gates. Alora began to cross the room, each hurried step was soft against the stones.

She had almost made it the another cabinet when her shoe caught a loose stone in the floor, Lorenzo moved. He caught her just before she hit the floor, “Careful now, Alora. I don’t know what these scrolls look like. I can’t have your clumsiness knocking you out now” Lorenzo said, pulling her back to her feet.

Alora brushed her dress skirt. “It’s not my fault” she exclaimed.

Lorenzo just smirked at her, their eyes holding each other.

Alora looked back to the loose stone and cocked her head. He watched as she went to her knees and pulled the loose stone free. There— a hole in the floor. Lorenzo met her on the floor, pulling apart the surrounding stones. Inside laid a deep brown box, Alora reached in to grab it. Her hands traced the smooth wood, a sigil carved into the top. She looked at him, her chest rising and falling in quick breaths. She opened the lid.

A handful of scrolls laid in satin, each tied with a slender black piece of leather. “The scrolls” she breathed. “We have to go—“

Shouts sounded down the hall, unfamiliar voices. Her eyes widened and they were both to their feet. Lorenzo looked around the room for an exit. A window too small, the only door leading to the voices. That’s when he noticed a hanging tapestry shift. He rushed towards the old tapestry and pulled it back. A tunnel. He looked back to Alora, “You need to get out of here, right now.”

Alora rushed beside him, the box of scrolls gripped tightly in her small hands. “I am not leaving here without you, Lorenzo” she demanded.

He cupped her face with his hands, “I will be right behind you, I’m just going to buy you some time.”

She shook her head, “No, we do it together.”

“There is no time.”

Her eyes began to rim with silver. The voices in the hall became closer, each moment was a moment wasted.

“I will be right behind you, okay? But you have to let me do this. It’s the only way we have any chance of escaping.” He searched her eyes, worry swimming in her turquoise orbs. He pulled her in, his lips pressing softly against hers. Just a heartbeat he let their lips meet. The kiss sweet and soft. A promise. He pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. “I will always follow you. Now go.” He didn’t give her a chance to say no as he gently shoved her down the tunnel.