Chapter 54

Riftan seemed to regret revealing his feelings to her as well. That much was evident from his downcast eyes and gloomy expression.

"There might be monsters hiding in the area, so keep your guards up," Kuahel warned in a low voice as he led the knights between two boulders covered in ice.

Maxi forced her thoughts away from Riftan and tried to take in their surroundings. All over the snow-covered knoll were large, ragged rocks shaped like hooks. Their contours were too unnatural to be the product of wind weathering, but neither did they seem man-made. Fascinated, she was staring at the massive structures when Riftan's gruff voice interrupted.

"This must be a basilisk habitat."

Maxi's eyes darted to him in surprise.

Reining his horse to a stop, Riftan scanned the area before adding, "Basilisks build their nests by stacking rocks like this. The shape is likely from the monster's breath, which melts part of the stone."