“Should we turn around?” Jem asked hopefully.
His answer was terse as he turned back around. “Why? There’s nothing more to be said.”
“But you love her.”
“And?”
“Don’t you want to tell her? Doesn’tthatneed to be said?”
“I told you, she deserves better than me.”
“And I’m saying—WHY IS SHE JUMPING?”
Jem’s petrified yell forced his attention back to the cliffs. Casper watched in open-mouthed horror as Sienna’s tiny form flew off the edge and crashed into the dark waves. A cry echoed across the deck, a sign that his crew had witnessed the act just as he had. He cranked the helm, turning thePetrelaround as quickly as he dared, and pleading with the Almighty that Sienna’s body was not dashed against the rocks.
Longest John darted up to the quarter deck, spyglass in hand. Casper snatched it from his hand and motioned for him to take control of the helm. He ran to the railing, bracing himself as the ship moved, and trained the glass on the spot where he had seen Sienna land. Jem was beside him in an instant.
Her arms and head moved with the waves as she swam towards them. He felt the vise that had been squeezing his heart loosen. “She’s alive.”
Thank the Almighty.
ThePetrelcould not move fast enough. Casper kept the spyglass practically glued to his face as they sailed forward to meet her, afraid that if he looked away, she might disappear. Her movements were strong and steady as she swam, and his heart was torn between admiration for her strength and the desire to chastise her for putting her life so recklessly in danger.
Sienna’s head dipped below the surface. He gripped the railing with white knuckles. When she reappeared, Casper noted that her strokes were starting to grow more feeble. He cursed.
“What’s wrong?” Jem asked.
He handed over the spyglass and threw off his jacket and cap. He bent over to unlace his boots. “She’s getting tired. There’s no way she’s going to get here in time.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Get one of the longboats and come after me.” Casper climbed up onto the railing, stretched his arms over his head, and dove into the water.
It was hard to see over the rise and fall of the waves, so Casper just turned his body in Sienna’s direction and started swimming as hard as he could. The sound of low singing carried over the water, a wordless melody that somehow matched the shape and feel of the waves exactly. His composer’s brain wanted to stop and examine the music, but his heart pulled him forward.
Suddenly, Sienna was before him, weakly treading water as she sang. Her eyes and face lit up when she saw him, and she sighed in relief. “Casper.”
Her song must have been doing something to keep her afloat, for the moment she stopped singing to say his name, she slipped under the surface. He grabbed for her, pulling her up as she sputtered and coughed. Her skin was icy cold, even to him, and her lips were blue against her pale face. Her teeth chattered. Casper used one arm to hold her up as he slowly turned around looking for any sign of Jem in the longboat.
He was already nearly upon them, pulling at the oars with long, strong strokes. In another minute, he was there, reaching over the side to haul Sienna’s tiny, shivering body into the boat. Caper clambered over the side, causing the boat to rock dangerously. He laid still for a moment, catching his breath.
“Jem,” Sienna greeted him weakly.
“Enna,” he returned, grunting with effort as he started rowing in the other direction. “It’s a strange time of night for a swim.”
“I don’t kn-n-n-now what you’re t-t-t-talking about.” Her eyelids started to flutter closed, and she could barely get the words out between shivering convulsions and chattering teeth. “I go for m-moonlight s-s-s-s-swims all the t-t-t-time.”
Casper and Jem shared a look of alarm. Jem jutted his chin in Sienna’s direction. Casper shook his head. “You’re dry. She’ll get warmer faster.”
“I’m rowing. Besides, I’m fairly certain she didn’t jump off a cliff for me.”
“N-n-nope. Sorry, J-j-jem.”
“No need to apologize,” Jem said brightly, giving Casper a pointed look and nodding towards her. “I prefer my gestures of affection to be a little less grand and a lot more dry.”
Casper carefully scooted over to where Sienna was laying in the bottom of the boat and scooped her up into his lap. She immediately curled into him, as if seeking whatever warmth she could find, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. The rest of the boat ride was silent, save for the sounds of her teeth clattering against one another and Jem’s deep breaths of exertion.
He closed his eyes as he held her, resting his cheek against the top of her head and giving thanks over and over again that she was alive and well.
