Jasmine landed hard.
The fall ended abruptly with a jolt that knocked the breath straight out of her lungs, her body slamming down onto solid ground with a sharp, bruising impact.
"Oof-!"
Pain shot up her spine as she landed squarely on her bum. For a second, all she could do was sit there, stunned, the air wheezing painfully from her chest. The darkness around her felt thick, pressing in, and the only sound was her own ragged breathing.
She groaned softly and forced herself to move.
"I am never doing that again," she muttered under her breath.
Carefully, she pushed herself up, wincing as her back protested.
Fine dust coated her palms and the hem of her robe.
She brushed herself off quickly, heart still racing, then immediately checked for the dagger she had hidden under her robe.
Her baby kicked.
"I know," she whispered, rubbing her belly. "I know. That was… not graceful."
She straightened slowly.
And froze.
The space around her wasn't just a cave.
It was massive.
