Page 23 of Trapped By Claws
Corvin stood at the edge of the spire, drenched. "It's done. Thirty-five passengers. Twelve hunting otters. They're all safe on the shore. So long as they do not enter the waters, they will be safe."
I stared past him into the darkness at the island where Mama mourned. There were a thousand things I wanted to tell her now. None of them the harsh words that had sprung to mind countless times over the past years. Only comfort.
And now that the moment to go with Corvin was here, all I felt was fear. Fear for a thousand different things. To suddenly know that this distant, bleary look might be the last time I saw Mama and that my last words to her were to tell her were harsh. "Did you tell her I'm safe?"
Lightning flared again. His bright-green eyes widened, then he laughed in bewilderment and shrugged. " Let her makeher own inferences. There wasn't exactly time for a proper conversation."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he shushed me. "I fulfilled my part of the bargain. Now keep yours."
Anger and hate flared through me. I wanted to strike him. But a bargain was a bargain. At least Mama and everyone else was alive. There wasn't anything else left. I had to keep my word.
I gave a sharp nod. "Fine!"
"Put your arms around my neck," he said.
I complied. His arms encircled me, bringing me tight against his chest. Already his heat reached me, even more intense for the cold water that pounded down around us. His hair was slicked down, trails of rain and salt water running down his face and neck. Yet his heart thudded with a startlingly steady rhythm. He swept one arm beneath me and lifted me up against his chest like a bride to be carried over the threshold.
I found myself curling against him simply for the warmth, and I hated myself for it.
Another flash of lightning illuminated him. His face had a grim cast to it as he studied me, his thumb pressed to my lower lip. "This next part is going to be uncomfortable. Deep breath, clever girl."
I barely had time to comply before he leaped off the edge of the jagged stone spire, out of the safety of the cave, and into the seething waters below.
NOT A FAE PALACE
The freezing temperature drove the breath from my lungs as soon as we plunged under.
I clung to him now, clinging to him despite my pride. Even though I squeezed my eyelids shut, the saltwater stung my eyes and filled my nostrils and mouth.
Corvin held me fast. He swam a short ways before we emerged beneath a rocky overhang where the waters were not so rough and the rain did not reach us. Thunder cracked, and lightning flared again. "Easy there," he said, wiping the water from my face.
I coughed and spluttered as I gulped in a deep breath of fresh air. "This is it?" It was so cold. I just wanted to get out of the water.
He shook his head. "Sorry, darling. Just taking a breather. Seas are rough during storms, and you can't make it to my home on one breath."
My teeth chattered. "How far?"
"Nothing for you to worry about. Just take more deep breaths. I promise I won't let you drown. You did well." His hand brushed my hair back behind my ears, his voice more concerned than stern now. "But this is the really hard part, all right?"
I barely had time to nod and take another deep gulp of air before he pulled me tight against his chest and dove down once more.
The cold stabbed into my skin. All thoughts of dignity faded as I held onto him. The powerful currents tugged around me. He seemed to navigate them with ease, sliding and ducking and moving along some course I couldn't see. Each time we resurfaced, the storm had lessened. And at last, he dove straight down with me in his arms.
Down we went.
Down.
Down.
The pressure intensified, my ears popping and my head spinning. The rushing gargle and roar of it all filled me.
It stung my eyes too much to dare more than a tiny, blurry glimpse into the darkness of the sea.
There was nothing.
My lungs burned, aching and near to bursting. I clutched at his shoulder, wriggling. He knew I needed air. He'd taken me up to breathe before. Had he forgotten?
Please.
