CHAPTER 4
Romance In The Cave
Mark slowly took his hands from over his head and looked over at the site of the cave in. The damage was total… the path back out was completely blocked. But his feelings were pained further when he saw Nayru lying unconscious on the floor of the cave near him.
"Nayru, wake up!" he cried, pushing her shoulder. "Please, don't let me die alone!"
"Uhhnn…" Nayru slowly opened her eyes and blinked a few times. "Mark? What happened?"
"The cave collapsed." he told her. "We're trapped."
"What happened to Paul and Marin?" she asked, sitting up quickly.
"They're on the other side."
"Oh my…" Nayru began to cry softly. "To think we are going to die here…"
Mark put his arms around her. "Please, don't cry. I'm here."
"You are," she said, taking his face in her hands, "but… that's not where I want you."
"What?"
She pulled him into a kiss. "Mark, since we met I've been wondering what it would be like to go to sleep with you…"
"You… you have?" Mark asked, thunderstruck.
"Yes!" she kissed him again. "And we're going to die here…" her eyes became very sad. "… and so, I guess it's time to find out."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, Mark, I've never been more serious in my life."
The fire in their hearts could have lit up the cave for many moons during the time they spent together in the cave.
Four hours later…
Nayru lay asleep, her head on Mark's chest. Mark sighed, and stroked her hair. What they had just shared meant more than anything in his life.
Suddenly, there was a loud rumbling sound from the other side of the rock wall.
"What's that?" Nayru cried, leaping up.
"Get back!" Mark shouted, pushing Nayru aside, just as a huge blast disentegrated the cave wall.
"What the frick was that?" Mark asked, coughing.
"It's your rescue party." said a familiar voice as Paul stepped out from the smoke.
"It's about time!" cried Mark. "Where's Marin?"
"I'm here." said the red-haired girl, appearing behind Paul.
"Did you get the key back from Vire?" Mark asked, out of breath.
Paul frowned. "Unfortunately not. We have to track him down before he's able to set Veran free. Let's go."
"Okay. Come on, Nayru." Mark helped the Oracle to her feet, and the group ran out of the cave.