Page 25 of Rising from the Depths

“Let me go! Just let me go! I should have died with them.” Eva’s shoulders shook with her sobs. “Y-You h-h-have no right!”

“You didnotdie with them,” he snarled, “and if they would have wanted you to, they were no friends to begin with.”

Tears spiked her long lashes and flowed down the sides of her face as she yanked her arms. “It’s not your choice!”

“Your friends died for no reason,” he said, not relinquishing his grasp on her, “because that is how the sea works. Do you wish to die for no reason, too? Or are you as much a coward as Blake?”

She looked up at him, the blue of her eyes stark against the irritated red surrounding them. Strands of hair stuck to her face. “They’re gone, and he left me. I havenothing.No one.”

A deep, rumbling growl rose from his throat. “You have me!” he shouted. He released one of her arms and wrapped his free hand around her throat, forcing her chin up so she looked at him, atonlyhim. “You haveme,” he repeated quietly. “And I refuse to let you end yourself. I willmakeyou fight.”

Lowering his face closer to hers, Kronus brushed his thumb along her jaw. “If you would throw away your life, then I will claim it asmine.”

Fresh tears welled in her eyes before she broke into another wave of raw, gut-wrenching sobs, her struggles suddenly ceasing. Each of her shuddering exhalations pierced his hearts anew.

Kronus pushed himself back and slid off Eva, releasing his tentacles’ hold on her legs. He gathered her against his chest, and she threw her arms around him, clutching him tightly. Her thighs straddled his waist, and both her breath and her tears were warm against his neck. The bite of her nails into the skin of his back sent a thrill through him despite the situation.

He coiled a pair of tentacles beneath Eva, granting her some support, and slid another around her waist. His suction cups sampled her scent and flavor where they touched her bare flesh, serving only to awaken a craving in him for a deeper taste.

He meant what he’d said — she’d forfeited her choice by her actions. As far as Kronus was concerned, Eva washis. His mate. And he’d do everything to keep her safe from the world, even if it meant protecting her from herself.

Remaining silent, Kronus ran his claws through Eva’s hair until her cries tapered into small hiccups and shuddering breaths, until her hold loosened, and her body relaxed against him. He drew his tentacles close and pushed himself up, shifting an arm to cradle her backside. She rested her tear-moistened cheek against his shoulder as he carried her to the steps and up onto the ramp, leaving the wheelchair where it lay.

The sky was deep violet everywhere save on the horizon over the sea, where the last bit of sunlight slowly died. The streets were quiet. Most of the lamps had been lit — some electric, many more burning oil — granting The Watch a gentle, welcoming glow despite the encroaching darkness. If any of the few people Kronus saw thought it odd for him to be carrying a one-legged human female, none were bold enough to express their opinion.

Aymee rushed to meet him the moment he entered the clinic, reaching up to press her fingers to Eva’s neck. “Where was she? She’s so cold. Get her to the room and tell me what happened.”

“Nothing happened.” Kronus moved down the hallway to the room Eva had been staying in.

“What do you meannothing? She’s covered in sand and—”

“If something had happened, Aymee,” Kronus snapped, “she wouldn’t be here right now. She will be fine.”

“Don’t you take that tone with me,” Aymee growled. “I’m her doctor, I deserve to know what—”

“I’m okay,” Eva said softly, tightening her hold on Kronus.

For once, Aymee was silent.

Kronus glanced over his shoulder to see Aymee staring at Eva, mouth hanging open. He turned away, clenching his jaw to suppress a smile, and gently settled Eva on a chair near the bed. He had to carefully pry her arms off his neck to withdraw from her.

“You need rest,” Kronus said, “but Aymee will help you clean up first.”

Eva’s eyes met his. A sheen of moisture lingered within them, but no more tears fell. She was disheveled — her hair was a mess, the skin around her eyes was puffy, grains of sand clung to her everywhere, and she looked exhausted.

But there was a light in her eyes again, faint yet unmistakable.

She wasalive.

She was beautiful.

“I…yes,” Aymee said, stepping forward. “Let’s clean you up and get some fresh sheets and clothes.” She looked at Kronus, brows raised, waiting for an explanation that wouldn’t come.

“I need to retrieve her wheelchair,” he said before swinging his attention to Eva. “I will return shortly. Aymee will stay with you until I am back.”

“Whereisthe wheelchair?” Aymee asked as he rose and moved toward the door.

“The same place she was,” he replied.

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