Page 72 of Jewel of the Sea

“Your heart rate has accelerated,” Sam said. “Do you require assistance?”

She took a measured breath, then another. “No. I’m okay.”

Something curled around her waist. Aymee’s hand dropped to it as she was gently turned to face Arkon. She smiled at him. “Thank you.”

He shook his head and pointed to his ear.

“Oh. You can’t hear me.” She pointed up, and they surfaced together.

“How does it feel?” Arkon asked.

“Strange. I can feel the water, but not. It’s like there’s almost no resistance when I move, and it’s not even cold. It’s like…flying.”

His tentacles — save for the one around her waist — glided through the water around her as he kept himself afloat. “Macy has said much the same.”

“I bet she was absolutely thrilled the first time she used this.” She inhaled deeply. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“I will be with you the whole time.” Arkon released his hold on her.

She allowed herself to sink and gazed around her. Rows of lights embedded in the concrete walls and floor illuminated the water; several were inactive, and many were clouded with age or overgrown with sea life, but they granted a full view of the pen below the surface.

Her eyes were drawn to the massive chunks of stone that had fallen from the ceiling, which lay in the shaft of sunlight streaming through the ceiling. They — and the twisted remains of the walkway they’d crushed in their fall — were covered with small plants and immobile sea creatures in a variety of colors; bright yellows, rich reds and purples, deep blues and vibrant greens. Fish with iridescent scales swam in and out of the gaps in the debris, and spindly-legged creatures slowly walked over the rubble, feeding on the plants.

She swam to the mound of rubble, feeling like a flailing toddler as she moved, and sank until her feet touched the bottom. Reaching out, she touched one of the plants. It folded in on itself, and Aymee flinched away with a laugh. She tilted her head back. Rays of sunlight penetrated the water from above as though through imperfect glass — the light was bent, altered, and amplified, creating an ethereal glow.

Carefully climbing the rock, she followed one of the spindly-legged creatures until it ducked out of sight. A shadow passed over her. She glanced up to see Arkon drifting nearby, his eyes fixed on her and a warm smile upon his lips. She returned it.

She spent time asking Sam questions and exploring the suit’s features and capabilities. Any new displays were seamlessly introduced into her view through the mask — she could monitor depth, water temperature, pressure, currents and their speeds, and track living creatures, and she knew that was only scratching the surface.

Whether ahead or behind, above or below, Arkon remained close all the while.

Eventually, she caught Arkon’s attention, and they resurfaced.

“This is amazing!” she exclaimed as soon as her head was above water. “It’s so different down there, and we’re not even outthere.” She waved toward the tunnel leading out to the sea. “I wouldn’t even know what to begin painting.”

“Is there anything that moves you more than all the rest?”

Aymee grinned. “You.”

There was sudden intensity in his eyes. Hesawher,allof her, and sought to claim her with his gaze.

He wants me. He’s wanted me since the first time we met, he just didn’t know how to express it.

At that moment, all she wanted to do was touch him. Kiss him.

Love him.

“Sam, release the mask.”

“All right. Field generator deactivated,” Sam said. The seal broke with a soft hiss.

She reached up and took hold of the mask, pulled it away, and tugged her hood back.

A loud crack from the ceiling echoed through the chamber. Dirt and bits of rock rained into the water from overhead.

Aymee looked up to see a huge piece of the ceiling directly above her tremble and fall.

Arkon slammed into her with startling speed, enfolding her in his arms. They plunged underwater. Stinging seawater filled her nose and mouth.

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