Before he could finish, I launched myself into the water.
It hit me with the force of a thousand mallets, shocking my body still, immediately sucking me under, pushing me this way and that like I was a rag doll in a giant’s grasp. It felt as if someone had tied a heavy weight to my foot, and I had no choice but to sink with it.
The saltwater burned down my throat, through my lungs, up my nose. I tried to reach for my magic, but that invisible weight was yanking me down, the water pinning my arms to my sides as it continued to apply pressure. Darkness spread across my vision as I struggled against the vortex that whirled around me.All sense of direction was now blotted out by black. I used all my strength to fight the water, to move my arms, my legs, my head—anything, but it wrapped around me in a tight bind.
I’d lived near the ocean all my life. We’d always warned visitors that if a wave sucked them in, to not fight it. Spirits below, in all the chaos, I’d forgotten my own advice.
I stilled, letting the ocean carry me where it wanted, respecting it instead of treating it as my enemy. Just like my father would instruct.
My lungs squeezed tight, chest seizing, and fear struck me. I needed air, and I had no idea which way was up or down. Everything was just dark. I struggled against the water’s tightening hold, trying to pull at my magic, but I could barely move my arms or hands.
Suddenly, a body plunged down next to me, two hands grabbing me as the frenzy of water swirled up again. Arms wound around me, crushing me to a hard chest, and I knew instantly whose it was. A body imprinted into my memory whether I liked it or not. Bastian. His muscles tensed against me, and I realized he was gripping me so tight because he was terrified. The idiot had jumped in after me. What had he been thinking? He kicked out his strong legs, and we managed to rise just enough that the water’s tight grip loosened.
Magic. I needed to summon my magic. Now. I stilled again, Bastian not moving either, sensing what I needed. I spoke to Spirit Water, just like my father taught me to do.
Calm, I thought to the water.Let’s work together, you and I. I am not your enemy. I am a part of you, and you are a part of me. Please, Spirit Water. I am seeking answers about your most loyal follower: my father. Help me in this quest.
The water slowed its movement enough for me to summon it to do my bidding. I squeezed my eyes shut and pulled at the invisible thread inside of me, then moved my hand andcommanded up, up, up. The water pushed us as black spots dotted my vision. The realization hit me that it might be too late. I couldn’t go much longer without air. Bastian pressed his cheek against mine, a reminder that I wasn’t alone. I gritted my teeth and jabbed my hand up again, the water listening and throwing us toward the surface with all its might.
Finally, the faint light of the evening sky sliced through the dark, and then we broke the surface, both of us gasping for air, riding on top of a wave. I sputtered and coughed, my throat burning, but I didn’t even care. I was alive. We were alive.
I grasped at Bastian’s necklace, relieved it still hung around my neck, the clock still ticking despite the water. I didn’t have time to dwell on it, though.
“We did it,” I gasped out, looking over to Bastian, whose face was deathly pale, eyes wild.
“I . . . can’t . . . breathe,” he got out, clutching at his chest.
“Bastian,” I said slowly, “I think you’re having a panic attack. Just hold on, okay?”
I looked around, the ship nowhere in sight. They could be miles away by now, no idea that we’d gone overboard.
The wave pushed us closer to the shoreline. Relief flooded me. At least we’d be safe on land. I lifted my hand and commanded the ocean to take us there. It obeyed, delivering us straight to the sandy shores while Bastian clutched onto me. Palm trees lined the coastline. The town must’ve been beyond the jungle on the other side of the island.
The wave dumped us onto the sand and receded. I landed with a soft thud and rolled over to see Bastian next to me, shaking.
“Okay, Pirate Lord. C’mon.” I grabbed his arm and heaved him to his feet. “It’s going to be okay. Let’s just get somewhere warm and dry, and you’ll be alright.”
A cluster of palm trees swayed in the soft evening breeze straight ahead. “That’ll be good enough,” I said.
Bastian’s legs faltered, and I roped his arm around my shoulders as we trudged through the sand, his heavy weight leaning against me.
“Not much farther,” I grunted, my own legs shaking. My fight with the ocean and use of magic had depleted my energy, but after what I’d just experienced, I could make this short journey.
We finally made it to the trees and collapsed down, both of us leaning against the rough bark. I wanted to close my eyes and sleep, but I couldn’t, not when Bastian needed me. I still hated him, but he’d jumped in after me, so I’d do this. I’d save the pirate lord one final time.
Chapter Twenty-One
Iturned and took his shoulders. His face was still pale, those brown eyes so unfocused. “Bastian, I need for you to breathe, okay?” I paused. “Think about something, think about the way the breeze feels in your hair. The way the sand feels under your palms.”
He still shook, and his breaths were shallow as he dug his hands into the sand. It wasn’t working. Damnit.
“Okay, how about this?” I touched his face, letting my finger trail down his cheek. “Do you feel this?”
The shaking calmed, and he gave a small nod, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat.
“How about this?” I drew a finger slowly down his chest, feeling his hard muscles. “Focus on my touch.”
I hoped this worked. If it didn’t, I was out of ideas. He didn’t move, eyes shut tight. I continued to drag a finger over his chest, circling it across his damp skin.
