Daixa, with a swift and aggressive motion, secured the man, her arms locking under his, pulling him close.“He claims she is his wife, his mate,”she spat out, her disgust palpable.“He declares sanctuary and demands that we take him to Prince Rivu.”
The words struck me like a physical blow, a sharp pain lancing through my hearts. Betrayal and hurt welled up within me, threatening to consume my rational thoughts. My instincts screamed to abandon him to the sea, to let the waters claim him as they had almost claimed Isla.
But I couldn’t—her last words echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain of her sacrifice and duty. She’d stated he was the key to my freedom, the one who orchestrated the sacrifice she’d been obliged to make.
“What should we do about him?”Daixa gestured with a tilt of her head toward the man cradled in her arms. He was slumped forward, his damp hair falling limply over his face, hiding his closed eyes. His skin had taken on an unnaturally pale hue, and his breathing was shallow, barely perceptible.
With a heavy heart, I made the decision.“We take him with us,”I ordered, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging within.“I’ll deal with him later.”
As I gazed down at Isla, the pale moonlight revealed the extent of her injuries: bruises, cuts, and scrapes covered her pale skin. The flickering flames from the wreckage cast shadows on her face, highlighting even more injuries that I had initially missed. My heart ached at the sight of once vibrant skin now looking ashen and fragile in the dim light.
It was a haunting sight, and I felt a pang of guilt for not noticing sooner.
Concern flooded me. I couldn’t allow her to be taken away from me, not now, not after everything that happened. “We need to go.”
“What about the two lifeless bodies?”Ephi twisted toward where they were within the burning wreckage.
A low growl escaped my throat, a primal sound that echoed my fury and pain.“Leave them,”I snapped.“Let the sea creatures feast on their remains. The humans can deal with the aftermath of this disaster.”
The two scouts exchanged a glance, but they didn’t question my decision.
With Isla safely in my arms, we began our journey back to Atlantis, knowing that there were still challenges ahead. Her survival depended on my ability to get her to safety as quickly as possible.
The vast expanse of the ocean stretched endlessly around us as we swam, the weight of the situation pressing heavily upon my shoulders. Isla, my precious mate, lay limp in my arms, her once-fierce grip now just a faint pressure against my chest. Her shallow breaths fanned against my neck, the only indication of her fragile state. Through our bond, I could sense her calmness, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions raging within me.
My mind refused to accept the cruel reality of my supposed rescue, my supposed escape. Because this was not what I envisioned when I dreamed of reuniting with my Isla. Not with her teetering on the brink between life and death, a broken and bloody mess.
It was a betrayal of everything I fought for and believed in.
Hadn’t she been through enough? Hadn’t we both been through enough to not deserve this?
Were we being punished for our connection, our growing love, between a creature of the land and a creature of the sea?
I refused to believe that the Fates willed for this to happen. That our path, our tremulations, were written by the Stars themselves.
Unless this was a test—and if it was, I prayed it was the final one—for us to see if we were willing to fight to be together.
If it was, I was willing to shed all my scales to be with her.
“Ephi, how far to Atlantis?”
Ephi consulted her wristband, her fingers moving with practiced ease as she calculated our distance. She looked up, her eyes meeting mine with a seriousness that mirrored my own.“A few Earth hours,”she replied, her voice carrying a note of apology.“Our journey would be quicker if we weren’t burdened with such precious cargo.”
I nodded, my gaze drifting down to Isla, my hearts aching at the sight of her so vulnerable and frail in my arms. Her pale face was a stark contrast against the dark waters, her usually vibrant blue eyes closed.
I cursed the Stars above for the trials they had thrust upon us, for the endless challenges we faced. The strain on my body was palpable, my stamina waning from the prolonged confinement I had endured.
The ocean around us was silent, stretching out as far as the eye could see. The only sound the gentle whoosh of our strokes through the water. My muscles screamed in protest as I pushed myself forward with each powerful kick, each stroke through the water fueled by sheer willpower. My hearts pounded in my chest, in sync with the rhythmic sound of my strokes, propelling us closer to our destination.
After a year of captivity, of being confined to tanks too small and environments too restrictive, my body was reaching its limits. Yet, despite the exhaustion that clawed at my muscles, my resolve to protect Isla remained unwavering.
I couldn’t—wouldn’t—falter. Not with Isla depending on me.
With every kick towards Atlantis, I adjusted my grip on her, making sure she was comfortable and secure in my arms.
But as we made our way through the dark, murky waters, dread settled deep in my stomach. Isla's condition continued to deteriorate at an alarming rate.
Her blue lips and cold, clammy skin against mine were a stark contrast to her once warm and vibrant self. My body was made for the depths of the water, designed to withstand the frigid temperatures, but as I held her in my arms, I cursed my nature for not being able to provide her with the warmth she so desperately needed.
