Answer:
The higher I climb, the hotter I engage. I cannot escape from my crystal cage.
As a whole, I am both safe and secure. Behead me, I become a place of meeting. Behead me again, I am the partner of ready. Restore me, I become the domain of beasts.
We travel much, yet prisoners are, and close confined to boot. Yet with any horse, we will keep the pace, and will always go on foot.
Useful tool for who in darkness dwell. Within you, corrupting like a deadly spell.
Soft and fragile is my skin, I get my growth in mud. Iām dangerous as much as pretty, for if not careful, I draw blood.
All about, but cannot be seen, Can be captured, cannot be held, No throat, but can be heard. Who am I?