I dove into the cool, murky water toward her. The current fought to drag me away from where I wanted to go.
Seconds felt like minutes, and my lungs burned. My hands finally met something soft—her arm or leg. I couldn’t tell in the tumble of the river. I pulled her to me, getting a good grasp on her. She clung to the front of my shirt, and a wave of relief rushed through me. She was still conscious. Wrapping my arms around her, I Shadowed us to the bank.
She coughed and sputtered up water. I unclasped the buckle holding her bow to her, and let it and the charmed quiver fall to the side. She was soaked in mud, and trembling; her brow pinched tight as she gagged and coughed. I pounded on her back.
“Sybilla? Talk to me,” I demanded. How could she not have told me sooner that she couldn’t swim?
“Stop. Fucking. Hitting me,” she choked out.
They were the most beautiful words she’d ever said while lashing out at me. I sat on my heels and stopped pounding.
Unable to help myself, I reached out and drew her into my lap, collapsing onto my ass and cradling her head against my shoulder. She regained her breath as I rocked her there. My men scrambled to go catch her mount, shouting at one another to catch mine as well.
My hands shook.Why hadn’t I just insisted on Shadowing us across the river from the start? Then, all the energy to be angry left me.
There wasn’t a single mark against her on any list that prevented me from longing to hold her—to be near her. That was love, you idiot,my mind screamed at me.
“That list. I didn’t mean any of the things on it,” I said into her hair. “I desperately wanted to, because I was scared. But I didn’t.” I couldn’t tell whether she or I was trembling harder.
She gripped my shoulders, and the feel of her nails digging in gave me hope. “I don’t believe you,” she said, still regaining herself.
I let my chin rest on her head. “Then we are going to work on that.”
Chapter 51
Sybilla
I’d thought Sahlmsara was hot, but the land between the Sahlmsaran cities was unbearable. A balmy heat encased me like the sun had joined forces with the winds to carry oppressive humidity from the volcanic shores. We’d descended into a flat valley when Sahlmkar came into view.
The city was made up of primarily flat-roofed buildings and open-air markets. Businesses and row housing were stacked on top of one another. The streets were dust-coated and narrow. All the structures were coated in brown or beige stucco and there was little greenery.
Despite the lifeless hues, the city bustled with activity. The people here had harder edges and gave us skeptical glances as we passed through. Most seemed keen on finishing their day’s work; no one paid their King any mind or honors.
In the mud-caked clothes from my unfortunate encounter with the river, I longed to be off my horse and clean. Mythighs chafed against the leather saddle. Luckily, the horse was unharmed from his stumble—luckily, I was too.
“Are we safe here?” I whispered to Krait.
“Mostly,” he answered. Comforting.
“We are heading to my flat. The building is heavily guarded. You’ll be safe there.”
The way Krait had clung to me on that riverbank had shaken some of my resolve to be cold toward him.
Stop giving him reasons to infuriate you.My friend’s words were easier said than done.
“Please tell me there’s somewhere to bathe there,” I said.
“Afraid not.”
I chanced an annoyed glance at him, and he stared back with a glint in his iron gaze.
He added, “But I’ve made other arrangements.” His eyes crinkled with surprising softness.
I scoffed, “Well, good—I smell like a swamp. And stop looking at me that way.”
He grunted, “What way?”
“Like youlikeme.”
