Page 103 of Call of the Fathoms

He made it to her side and gathered her up in his arms. She fought for a few moments, but then stilled when he pressed his lips to her forehead.

“You brave, stupid woman,” he breathed against her. “What did you do?”

Her entire body went limp in his arms. He took all of her fear, her exhaustion, as she dropped her head onto his shoulder with a heavy thud. “I saved you because you wouldn’t save yourself.”

“You saved all of us, Alexia. The fighting is over. The battle is done.”

Her breath hitched. The sound was so similar to a sob, he wasn’t sure what to do with it.

“Good,” she whispered. “I’m glad.”

“We need you with us.” He grabbed her jaw, forcing her head up to look at him. “What were you thinking, letting me live?”

Her features were so pale from blood loss. There were multiple smears of blood along her jaw, like she’d touched her hand to her face while trying to keep herself going. A bruise was already forming along her cheekbone and there were strands of red in her eyes. But she was alive. She was still looking at him, still fighting as he had always known that she would.

She lifted a shaking hand, still covered in blood, and gently touched his cheek. “I freed you from your prophecy, Fortis. No more expecting death. No more waiting for the end to come. I just want you to live.”

He leaned forward and kissed her. His people didn’t do this, but he now knew how badly he needed to kiss her. Her lips still tasted sweet, even if there was a metallic hint.

“You should have left me to die,” he murmured against her skin. “They would have killed you if they found out that I was still alive.”

“I figured they’d do that anyway.”

“Alexia…” he breathed, before he pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “I never got to say how you fill my soul. Every day with you has proven to me just how valuable you are. I’ve heard other humans say I love you, but the words simply don’t feel like enough.”

She hummed against his skin. “I love you too. I just hope it’s not too late.”

Then he realized she was worse off than he thought. To him, Alexia was always a strong pillar of a warrior who could not bestopped. But now he could see how weak she was. She’d been crawling to the next hatch, not even realizing she could stop fighting.

But now he was here.

“I’m going to take care of you,” he said as he lifted her more firmly with one arm. “Doctor Barker is waiting for us.”

“Oh good, he survived.” Her head lolled against his shoulder as he started dragging her back the way he came. “I didn’t think he would, to be honest. He’s not a fighter.”

“He was there in the room with me when I woke.” Fortis frowned as he maneuvered her over some bodies that had been left in their way. “How did you not poison me? You asked for the neurotoxin.”

“I didn’t give you the neurotoxin. I hid it underneath your arm. I stole a different drug from them, one that I knew would make you sleep and seem like you were dead.” She sighed, but the sound rattled concerningly. “Doctor Barker should have it now. I’m sure he will use it to protect himself if he needs to.”

“You dastardly woman.”

“I always have a plan,” she whispered, her voice growing far too quiet. “Always. That’s who they trained me to be.”

Her cheeks were far too pale. They were white as a pearl, and he didn’t mean that as a compliment. He was concerned she had lost too much blood, but if there was anywhere in the sea that could save her, it was this place.

So he brushed his hand over her head, dragging her a little faster and a little harder. “Rest now, Alexia. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

At the first sight of another person he could trust, he called out for help. Two of his own people and one human ran for him. The young man he had seen in Mira’s village before, although he’d never interacted with him. Between the group of them, they moved Alexia much faster.

Doctor Barker was waiting, and if he lifted a needle when they entered, Fortis ignored it. Together with the others, he laid Alexia on the table he’d just been lying on and then turned to the doctor with a snarl on his face.

“Save her,” he demanded.

The man had already dropped the neurotoxin and was putting gloves on his hands. With a snap that filled the room, the doctor nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

Forty-Two

Alexia

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