“Closer.Faster.Now!”he commands, andIfeel his urgency pouring into me.
“I’m fucking going!”Igrit out, my teeth clenched.“Gettingto her as fast asIcan!”
But that’s not fast enough for him.Heurges me—pushes me.Elowenis precious, she must not be lost!
I feel the same way.
At lastIget to the other side of theSacredRiver.Thebranches are half-submerged, the water slamming against them in violent bursts.Whateveris caught there is being pulled and twisted, the fabric snapping in the current.
I reach it at last and my hands close around soaked cloth.
Itisher robe—Ifucking knew it!
“Fuck, baby—come here!”
I grab hold and pull, hauling her toward me.ButwhenIsee her, my heart sinks.
She’s limp—dead weight in the water—her body dragged half under by the force of the river.
“Come on,”Igrunt, wrapping an arm around her, turning us both toward the bank.“Comeon, little one—stay with me.”
It takes everythingIhave left to get us both out of the river.Everyounce of strength and myDrake’sstrength too, which he pushes into me like fuel as though he’s breathing fire into my forge at the smithy back home.
By the timeIreach the shore,I’mfucking shaking.Thecurrent was so strong near the end it felt like the river was trying to drag us both back and drown us.Itreally is angry, and the anger feels personal.
But myDrakewon’t let up and neither willI.Idrag us both onto the muddy bank, collapsing onto my hands and knees, coughing and gasping asItry to get air back into my lungs.
OhGods,I’mfucking exhausted.I’venever felt like this—not even the first timeIShiftedand let myDrakeout as a boy, which was a harrowing experience.
For a moment,Ican’t do anything—Ijust lie there, chest heaving, vision swimming.ThenIrememberElowen.
I roll toward her immediately and see that her curvy body is still—toostill.
Her face is pale, making her freckles stand out in stark relief and her auburn hair is dark with water, plastered to her cheeks and neck.Herlips are slightly parted, her lashes resting against her skin like fans.
She doesn’t seem to be breathing.
“Elowen,”Igasp again, my voice cracking.Icup her face, patting her cheeks lightly.“Hey—hey, wake up.Comeon, baby—please!”
I get no response.
Fear spikes through me, sharp and vicious.
“Don’t do this,”Iwhisper harshly.“Don’tyou fucking do this to me!”
I press my fingers to her throat and after a long momentIfind it—a pulse.It’sweak and thready, but it’s there.She’sstill alive—still in there somewhere andIcan’t let her go.Ihave to bring her back—but how?
I put a hand on her chest to confirm that she’s alive.She’sbreathing—Ican feel it.Herbreaths are shallow, barely there, and her skin—Gods, she’s freezing.
“Fuck,”Imutter, already moving.
I gather her up into my arms, pushing myself to my feet on legs that feel like they might give out beneath me.Istagger a little, then steady myself and head for the trees.
I need shelter and heat, andIneed it quickly.
Otherwise,I’mgoing to lose her.
34
