FIC: Destiny's Refuge Chapter 6b

I got stalled with chapter 6 so I've posted it in 2 parts. This is the second half.

Title: Destiny's Refuge Chapter 6b
Characters: Elden/Misham
Series: Another Life
POV: Misham

The ice pummeled Misham’s back. He lifted his head to see better. The snow swirled through the air creating a world of grey and white. Squinting, Misham could see a dark smudge ahead of them. It was the monolith of the mountain.

“There!” Misham shouted to be heard over the screaming wind. He clutched tighter to Elden’s neck when the dominant raised his head.

“Yes! I see it.”

Misham didn’t know where Elden’s strength came from. But as soon as he saw the mountain in the distance, his steps increased in length. He was almost jogging toward where they hoped lay safety.

Soon, the men were at the base of the rock cliff. The face of the mountain created a tunnel, the snow swirling violently around them.

“Which way?” Sander asked.

Misham twisted his head back and forth. He had no idea. They’d wandered so deeply into the woods, he didn’t know which way they should go. Anxiety welled up inside him. He didn’t know. They’d leave him and he’d die here alone. Maybe that would be for the best, Misham thought.

Suddenly, he was bucked off of Elden’s back. Before he understood what was happening, Elden grabbed him and shoved him against the rock wall. The larger man pressed his body firmly against his own.

Misham raised startled eyes to Elden’s.

“I could feel you getting upset. Not like how you feel emotions. I felt your body tense up. Your heart started beating faster. Your breaths were unsteady. You cannot pass out. I forbid it.” Elden’s voice held a mixture of threat and hope.

Misham wanted to tell him that demanding someone to calm down never had the desired results. But he could feel himself calming. His body had melted into the warmth of Elden’s. He could breathe easily. His heart didn’t feel like it would explode out of his chest.

“You are calming. Now, point us the way.”

Misham wiggle free an arm that had been trapped between them. Maybe it was the stars guiding him, but he pointed to his right.

Elden turned and offered his back to Misham again. Sander lifted Misham up and with heads bent against the wind, they started to walk along the mountain’s edge.

After walking for what seemed like an eternity, Misham started to think he’d pointed them in the wrong direction. Then Rastus called out.

“There. A cave.”

Misham couldn’t see where Rastus was pointing, but he knew that Elden must have seen it. Misham bounced up and down as Elden started to jog again.

Then suddenly it seemed the world had stopped when they entered the cave. They could still hear the wind, but instead of screaming, it seemed to be howling. Ice and snow no longer battered their faces and bodies.

As gently as he could, Elden let Misham slide from his back. As soon as his feet touched the ground, Misham slumped against the rock wall. He told himself he’d rest for just a moment. His eyes drifted closed as the three men planned what to do next.

“We must get warm and fuel our bodies. I will gather wood for a fire. I will be back by the time you two lay out the food the warriors gave us.”

Sander’s voice triggered a memory deep inside Misham. He remembered hearing his parents talk about a couple of young warriors caught out in a storm. They’d only survived by the supplies that had been placed in the caves. Sluggishly, he turned his head. In one corner, there seemed to be a shape hidden in the darkness. Misham tried to lean forward but his muscles had seized. He heard Elden gasp as he toppled onto his side.

“Supplies. There.” Misham raised his arm, pointing to the dark space.

“Elden, tend to him. We’ll look.” Rastus didn’t wait but walked to where the exhausted sub had pointed.

Misham bit back a moan when Elden rolled him over. The dominant was as gentle as he could be, but the cold combined with their long hike had his body throbbing in pain. He wanted to fight Elden off, but his body refused to obey his commands.

“Here, this will help warm you as we start a fire.”

Misham heard the words as if from a distance. Then he felt the heavy weight of Elden’s woolen coat. He wanted to protest. Instead, the warmth from the coat pulled him into slumber.

Read chapter 7