Page 30 of Forbidden Knots

My hand was slipping away from his as he pulled me from the edge, but my feet betrayed me, slipping away.

"I won't let you go," he whispered, his eyes catching the moonlight.

He wasmystalker, the one I hated myself for loving. He was the one who wanted to save me, but also the one who broke me.

Our hands parted. He was fading, screaming as he knelt, his hand reaching out to mine, his face red with desperation. He was fading, and I was falling.

I closed my eyes, accepting whatever ground I would hit. My mind raced in so many ways, but I never saw the light they say exists.Was I wrapped so much around Shadow that I forgot there is light even for a dark soul like mine?

Water.

Splash.

My eyes now saw darkness as my mouth opened, the impact burning my back. I screamed inside, my eyes closed, my body slowly drowning.

The depths were pulling me down.

SEVENTEEN

Shadow

Istood up, and called her name into the depths, circling frantically while she fought for her life. At that moment, I had to choose—me or her.My fingers dug into my scalp, pulling at my hair as I cried out, "Fuck."

I chose her.

Taking a few steps back, I ran to the edge and leaped down. My body had failed me many times, but this time it had to count for her. My feet hit the water, and I plunged into the darkness, eyes wide open, searching for her. I broke the surface, screaming, "Thalia," terrified I'd lost her forever.

It couldn't be.

She couldn't be gone.

I took another breath and dove deep. I saw her sinking into the depths, and I swam down after her, fighting against the urge to resurface. My lungs burned, but my heart pulled me forward.

I was ready to die for her. This obsession drove me to risk everything just to save her. I grabbed her hand and pulled her up. My vision blurred, and my breath faltered, but I didn't stop until we broke the surface. Gasping for air, I pressed my mouthto hers, trying to breathe life back into her. The night was pitch black, clouds thickening, wind howling, and waves crashing over us. Lightning flashed, illuminating the chaos. I knew I had to be strong for both of us.

I draped her over my shoulder and swam to the nearest rock. The cold rock bit into my skin and waves slammed against us, but I clung to her. Leaning her back, I pressed on her chest over and over again.

"Come on, baby, don't leave me," I begged, my lips against hers, giving her my breath.

My hands pressed on her chest again, desperate to keep her from slipping away. Then, a slight movement—a cough. Water spewed from her mouth, and her eyes remained closed, but her arms found their way to my neck, clutching me tightly.

"You scared me," I cried, tears mixing with the seawater. "You fucking scared me," my forehead resting against hers.

"If you'd jumped a minute earlier, we wouldn't be in this mess," she whispered, still coughing.

A smile tugged at my lips. "Are you always this annoying?" I asked, our eyes meeting, waves still crashing around us, pushing us closer.

I turned, positioning myself beside her. "Hold onto my back. Let's get to the shore," I said, spitting out the salty water.

She nodded weakly, gripping the rock before swimming towards me and placing her palms on my shoulders. I started to swim, slowly, feeling her cling to me like a limpet to a rock.

She was silent, her head resting on my shoulder, her body too weak to swim. As we moved closer to shore, I felt the sand beneath my feet. I turned around, still waist-deep in the sea, and pulled her closer into my arms. Her legs wrapped around my hips, her warmth seeping into me. Her hands glided gently over my neck, sending shivers through my body.

Her lips were purple, her skin pale, and her eyes brimming with tears. At that moment, as she finally saw me for who I was, I longed to delve into her thoughts, but I knew they were as blank as mine.

I had imagined countless times how we would be together, how she would be mine. But now, it felt more complicated. Sophie knew—she had known all along—that I wouldn't let Thalia go. She knew how I was, and she knew Thalia couldn't handle it. Even Sophie couldn't handle seeing me with her friend.

All these knots of forbidden desires, all these entangled emotions, unraveled as my lips met hers. No matter how forbidden something is to the heart, it always finds a way to reach it. Mine reached hers the moment I saw her.

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