Page 18 of Conquering the King of Storms

“Do you guys have any rope or anything?” Ivy asked the men, and the other water fae walking with us. “I don’t want my life relying on my ability to hold a damn hand.”

“I’m sure we can find something.” Locha didn’t sound thrilled, but if she had rope, I didn’t give a damn how she sounded. She sent a few fae to go looking for it, and the rest of us kept walking.

“That’s a good idea,” I murmured. “Thanks.”

“Duh.” She hip-bumped me, and I stumbled. Sirus caught me with a hand to my hip, his long fingers cupping my bone. The touch made me shiver.

“Here.” Crest gestured into what looked like yet another room, but didn’t step inside.

“That’s the drop?” Flame growled at the man. He flinched a little, but nodded.

A female water fae chose that moment to walk up with a few bundles of thick vines. “This is the best we can do on short notice,” she apologized, handing them to Ivy.

“No worries, this is great.” She flashed the woman a smile, handing me two of the four large, looped vines. Tariq plucked one of them from her hands and began unlooping it. When Sirus reached for one of mine, I handed it to him, and started on my own. The vines were thick and sturdy, with enough give to make them comfortable, so I thought they would work well for what we intended.

Sirus tied his around both of our waists, his long, strong fingers maneuvering the vines into fancy knots that I knew I wouldn’tbe able to replicate. When he was done, I handed him mine, and he tied it around both of our wrists.

His fingers slid between mine again as we slipped into the room that held the Aboa’s entrance. My lips parted when my gaze landed on the massive hole in the middle of the room.

“Damn,” Ivy whistled.

“Take this seriously. Nothing that goes into the Aboa comes back out of it; we’re going to be the firsts,” Flame growled.

“Wait, what?” I turned toward him.

“Flood is family. We can’t leave him.” Sirus’s voice was calm, but firm.

“We’re absolutely insane,” Ivy muttered.

“Fuck yeah, we are. Let’s go, Vriva. You’ve got us, Storm?” Tariq’s head turned toward the man holding my hand.

“Of course. Ready, Sway?” Sirus looked at me.

My stomach clenched.

It was the first time he’d spoken the nickname aloud… and I fucking loved it.

Not that I could admit that.

“I guess.”

My answer must’ve been good enough for him, because Sirus wrapped his arms around me, and then jumped.

Chapter 5

Storm slowedour fall with the wind that whipped around us. My stomach was in my throat anyway, and the slow fall reminded me exactly why I stayed the fuck away from those free fall rides at amusement parks.

Everything grew darker, and darker, and I couldn’t see a thing when we landed with a splash.

Water yanked us under and engulfed us. My legs kicked out, my lungs screaming as I fought to keep from inhaling water.

Storm’s strong arms held me firmly to his chest, even though I probably kicked the hell out of his legs. We broke the surface a moment later, and I sucked in air while Sirus swam us across what I assumed was the first cave of many.

He set me down on my ass and kneeled in front of me. His hands cupped my cheeks, and I knew I was still panting just because I was hyperventilating.

“Breathe, Sway. I had an air bubble around you; you were fine the whole time.” Sirus’s voice was calm. “Match my breathing, alright?”

I nodded jerkily.

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