A hiss filled Nyssa’s ears, but the serpent's grip loosened. Nyssa kicked her legs and freed herself from the beast’s grasp before turning and opening her eyes.
The serpent stilled in front of her.
Her head was wider and as long as Nyssa's body, narrow and snake-like, yellow eyes staring back at her. She hissed slowly this time, showcasing her fangs.
Heart in her throat, Nyssa kept herself suspended before it. She couldn't hear the creature’s voice, but she knew the serpent had felt her—short-lived as it may have been.
A low purring noise sounded in the deep.
Hello, beasty, Nyssa said, not knowing whether the creature would understand her.
For a moment, the serpent merely stared, her great, fifty-foot body slithering in the gravity of the water.
—The beast slowly blinked.
Lungs aching, Nyssa released the last of her breath as bubbles. The notion of what she'd just accomplished sat heavily on her shoulders.
And then she watched in slow motion as the great sea serpent turned to slither back into the depths of the ocean.
Nyssa’s vision began to darken, lungs collapsing at the weight of her no longer having air. She made to move her legs and get herself back to the surface.
A hand grabbed her’s, and she hardly saw Nadir in front of her before his lips pressed to her own.
Air filled her lungs.
Not a kiss.No.This was life pressing back into her body.
She was reminded that he could breathe underwater.
Her eyes opened again, and the stars that had begun to fill her vision waned. Nadir pressed a hand softly to her cheek and said, "Okay?" in a muffled voice.
Nyssa nodded, and Nadir pointed towards the sky. He kicked at the water, and she did the same.
Cold air brushed over her when they broke the surface. Lex was shouting. His people were all crowded together on the beach and calling out Nadir's name.
Nadir caught her eyes and gave her hand a squeeze.
"You didn't have to do that," she managed, pushing her hair back off her face. "I was fine."
"I know," he said. "I just needed an excuse to kiss you after seeing what you did."
The smile on his face nearly made her laugh, but as the mutters of his people filled her ears again, the notion of it faltered.
"Three, Commander," she said, splashing water at him.
Nadir chuckled under his breath as he moved closer to her. "Are you okay?" he asked when he was directly at her side.
What had just happened, coupled with the stares of his people, was quickly taking over Nyssa’s mind. She wanted to tell him she was fine, but she couldn’t.
A few of the Honest were coming out onto the jetty now that the serpent was gone. All of them spoke out in concern over their Commander's life having been in danger.
"Hey—“ Nadir called her back. "Forget about them. Talk to me," he pleaded. "Are you okay?"
But she couldn't get their voices out of her head, and her heart constricted with every whisper of doubt.
"I can't do this, Nadir.”
With one last look at his crestfallen face, she dove back beneath the water and swam to shore.
