chapter 110

ACHILLES. When I come back, I promise myself. When I come back, I will offer this ring to Claudia. It would be my reward to myself, in a way. Because I doubt that I would have the strength to leave for another mission if Claudia said yes and I knew that she would be my wife. With that in mind, I pocket the velvet box and head back to our room. Thankfully, she’s still fast asleep, so I just cuddle next to her and close my eyes, reverting back to a dreamless, silent sleep that stretches all the way to daybreak. The muted blue light of the early morning coming from the windows is what pulls me back from sleep. I wake up, kiss Claudia who’s still sleeping, then take a shower and get dressed. Kiernan has provided a gear that he promises would withstand the conditions of the underground, a gray jumpsuit. I just about finished zipping myself in it when I notice that Claudia is already awake, sitting up and watching me. She smiles when I turn, but I can still see the worry in her eyes. “Go