“Samar’s manipulations might seem tame to these shifters. At least she has the decency to speak.”
Her muscles were tiring, and she could feel her legs losing momentum. Before she realized what she was doing, she grabbed his arm to hold herself up.
“Getting tired?” he asked softly.
“I keep forgetting how weak I’ve become,” she managed.
His arms wrapped around her waist, and he hauled her into his arms. “Rest. I’ve got you.”
She allowed her arms and legs to stop moving as he held onto her, his own feet still kicking to keep them afloat.
“I know you do,” she breathed.
He pushed the strands of hair back that had fallen over her eyes. "What if we stayed here?" he asked. "Watched the rest of the world go down in flames while we set up a new home beneath the water?"
"What— and you watch me grow old while you stay this immortally young being the rest of your days?"
And it hurt her heart to say it out loud.
"I could ask Lovi for mortality," he said.
"Sounds like a very poor move for a hero," she mocked. "Though the serpent might like the company. She said she likes keeping you on your toes."
"That explains a lot," he muttered, and she caught the smile on his lips.
His hand on her cheek, she memorized him, noting the cerulean glow of the reef pulsing up and reflecting into his eyes, brightening them and making her heart hurt at the sight.
"I think this reef likes you as the sunset likes me," she managed.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... This ocean glow on your face and in your eyes. I don't think I realized how much more gorgeous you would be at your home place."
He stared, lips quirking just so, his hands tightening around her. "Did you just call me gorgeous?"
"Momentary lapse of judgment," she mocked.
"Too late now," he bantered. "You can't take it back. It's out there."
She shook her head, her stomach knotting at his banter. "Impossible, Commander. You know, I'm starting to think you brought me into this water just so you could kiss me.”
Nadir chuckled under his breath, his head hanging low for a flash before meeting her eyes once more. “Maybe I did," he admitted. "Or maybe it's just air, Princess.”
She wanted that air. She wanted him. Even though she had so much work to do, and things were clouding her head, she wanted him as she wanted to breathe. Feeling vulnerable and needing in his grasp. Her legs tightened as she straightened against him. She didn't know how to give him everything he wanted right now. She didn't know how to give him everything he deserved, at least while she was trying to grasp back into her reality.
But she could give him air if he wanted it.
Her nose nudged his, and she whispered, "Just air," before pressing her hands to his cheeks.
Nadir tensed as she leaned closer, but his fingertips dug into her back. Just as her lips brushed his—
He pulled them under the water.
She clung to him as they descended into the luminescence of the reef again. The water was shallower where they’d drifted, the bottom only fifteen feet down, and the brightness of the corals and water cascaded them in light.
His hands wrapped her cheeks, and his lips pressed to hers.
It wasn’t just the air filling her lungs this time. It was air and desperation. Air and surrender. Air andlife. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, and his arms clutched around her as he kissed her back. His thumb dragged along her cheek, the chill running down her spine with the tangle of his lips. The water held them in suspension, as though the weight of it surrendered to them and them alone.
