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there.
    “Teya,” Bran said. The sharpness of his tone snapped her gaze to his. “We have to go. It’s the only way out. Come on, I’ll be right here with you. We’ll do it together.”
    She nodded, but still couldn’t move. With a sigh, Bran put his arm around her and pulled her close. She hadn’t expected that, and his sudden nearness took her mind off the small space. His warmth and strength comforted her and she breathed in his warm woodsy scent.
    “Just hold onto me and I’ll get you out of here.”
    “Okay,” she agreed. Maybe she could do this after all. He held her close, and her panic subsided. With a deep breath, she found the courage to step toward the darkness.
    It didn’t last. One step inside the tunnel caused the panic to hit with a vengeance, and she threw both arms around Bran and clenched her eyes shut. Bran let out a sigh, but didn’t berate her like she thought he would.
    “That’s all right,” he said. “Keep your eyes closed, and pretend we’re somewhere else. Hold on to me. You’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll be right here all the way.” She took a step and he continued. “That’s it, just one step at a time. You can do it.”
    Teya’s breath hitched, but she moved with Bran, even knowing that each step took her into a smaller, more confined space. Sweat broke out on her upper lip, and her heart raced, but how could she stop now? After everything else, this was her only chance at freedom. Bran pulled her along, and even though she cowered, she stayed beside him.
    She tried to imagine the scene of the forest glade that always helped her in the box, but the dank, musty air wouldn’t let her hold that image. Bran bent his head lower and pulled her closer to him, and even with her eyes closed, she knew the space was getting smaller. A few clods of dirt fell on her arm and she flinched. Was the tunnel caving in? Would they be trapped in here forever? She trembled, and her stomach clenched.
    Bran coaxed and cajoled her, and she poured all her concentration on him. His smooth voice, with a slight accent, was pleasant to the ear. His strong arms and body sheltered her, and she took comfort in his protective touch. She wasn’t alone this time.
    With her face pressed against his neck, she felt his pulse, and realized she hadn’t been this close to a man in her whole life. Awareness of how tightly he held her took her mind off everything else. Now her heart beat fast for a totally different reason.
    “All right,” Bran said. “You made it. Look up. See the stars? You just need to climb this ladder and you’ll be out.”
    Teya’s eyes flew open and she took a deep breath. He was right. The stars shone in brilliance above her. “Wow,” she said.
    Bran glanced down at her face. They held each other so close that their lips nearly touched. She could feel his breath on her cheek and a sudden desire to close the distance to his mouth washed over her. Embarrassed, she pulled away, and backed into the wall, knocking her head against the dirt.
    “Oops,” she said. “Uh...where’s the ladder?”
    Bran’s lips turned into a lopsided grin. “Behind you.”
    “Right.” She twisted around with her back to him. As she lifted her leg to climb the rope, she backed into his stomach and heard his breath whoosh out. Her face flamed, but at least he couldn’t see it. His hands steadied her as she climbed up, but felt like hot brands burning through her clothing. On trembling legs, she made it to the top, and pulled herself out, then sank onto the ground.
    Bran came out right behind her, and she swallowed at the sudden awareness of his body. She scooted back to give him room. Once he emerged, he began to lay a covering of branches and limbs over the opening.
    Breathing deeply, Teya took in her surroundings, realizing they were in a copse of trees outside the city wall. All at once it hit her. After ten long years, she was out of the palace. Free. Gratitude surged