Page 74 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

I’d made it.

And there, just as promised, was a pool of clear water. I didn’t wait before jumping in with Ara in my arms.

28

Ryvin

The cold waterstole my breath, but I pulled us both under completely, holding Ara with me for several heartbeats before emerging. I moved to the side and leaned Ara’s unresponsive body against the rocks. “Come on, wake up.”

I pushed the hair from her face and leaned closer, feeling for breath while I pressed my fingers to her neck. I felt the faintest flicker of a pulse. “Asteri, wake up.”

Warm breath ghosted my cheek and I pulled her to me, a burst of elation surging. I hadn’t lost her yet. I was certain she was doing better, but until she opened her eyes, it meant nothing. “Please, please wake up.”

I pressed my cheek against hers, feeling her skin against mine. I whispered in her ear, telling her everythingI thought she’d want to hear. “We’re going to have a long, happy life together. We’ll see your sisters all the time. We’ll stay in Athos if you want. We’ll travel far away if you want. Anything. Anything you need if you just stay with me. Please, Asteri, please wake up.”

I pulled her close to me, holding her tight. I could feel her warm breath against my neck, feel her heartbeat against my chest. Then I heard the smallest sound. It was a little squeak or moan. Something I couldn’t quite place, but I knew it was Ara.

I adjusted, letting her fall against my arm and giving space between us so I could see her better. Her eyelids were fluttering, her brow furrowed adorably.

My heart felt like it was going to explode. “I’m here, Asteri, I’m here. I’ve got you.”

She grunted and made more squeaking noises that made my heart soar. I kissed her cheek and smoothed back her wet hair again. “Please wake up.”

“Ryvin?” Her eyes were open in little slits, but she was looking up at me.

“I’m here.” Joy surged through me, and I had to hold myself back from squeezing her in my arms. “I’m here. You’re going to be alright. You’re going to be fine.”

Her eyelids fluttered again, and she opened them, glancing around the darkened cave. The few fae lights flickered around us, but it was largely shadowed. I sent a few more fae lights into the air, creating a dazzling display like little stars above us.

Her lips parted. “It’s beautiful.” Her voice was gravelly, but she was speaking. “Where are we?”

“Do you remember what happened?” I asked gently.

Her eyes widened. “Am I dead? You didn’t kill yourself, did you?”

“No, no.” I smoothed her hair again, trying to reassure her. “We’re in a healing spring hidden under the oasis where Nona lives.”

She looked around again. “The poison?”

“You nearly died,” I confirmed.

“The spring cures it?” she asked.

I nodded, my throat suddenly too thick to speak. I couldn’t let myself think about what would have happened if I’d been too late. If the spring hadn’t worked.

She laughed, the sound musical. It made me join in and I pulled her into my embrace. She threw her arms around me, still laughing. “I’m alive. I can’t believe it. Thank you.”

“I can’t do this without you,” I confessed. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

“You saved me.” She leaned back and stared at me, her gaze penetrating and searching. “I came here to save you, and you ended up saving me.”

“I told you long ago, I’ll never let anything bad happen to you,” I reminded her. It was a promise I’d made her that I’d had to abandon too many times. I couldn’t keep it when she went off on her own, but she was strong and capable and I trusted her. She needed a lot less savingthat she did when we first met. Every time she gained power and confidence, my love for her deepened.

She wasn’t the same woman I’d met in Athos. She was stronger, fiercer, braver. And I couldn’t wait to see how much more she’d become as she truly welcomed and developed the magic she’d been cut off from for so long. “But maybe you should be making that promise to me instead.”

“How about we agree no more monsters for a while?” she teased.

“I like that agreement.” I cupped her cheek, studying her. “I’d rather take you somewhere far away where I know you’ll be safe.”

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