The ship shuddered, stilling in the waves, but shaking in place. A deep, low groan from below them sounded over the noises of the storm.
Meena screamed.
Sol pushed himself off the wall and sat on the bed next to her, throwing one arm around her shoulders and grasping the handle above her.
“It’s time for that last resort,” Meena yelled. “We just hit something.” She said the words out loud, hoping Sol would refute them and calm her fear.
He said nothing, but Meena could feel his arm and chest relax around her.
She shivered.
He tensed as the ship rocked again, but still said nothing.
She could feel reverberation from his chest as though he was speaking, but she heard nothing.
“Please try the last resort,” she whispered, repeating it in a louder voice to be heard.
“I am!” he responded. “It’s a little difficult right now. Think of something calming!”
Meena closed her eyes. The handle she clung to was firm, but her body rolled against it at the whims of the ship. Water from Sol’s clothing had seeped through her dress, but she could also feel the warmth of his arm around her shoulders.
As the next wave hit, his arm flexed around her, supporting against the motion and helping her remain stable.
She inhaled. Calming thoughts. His arm was calming. This was not the adventure she’d asked for, but it was exciting. They were in this together and she was looking forward to spending the next several days with Sol, even if they were difficult.
His chest vibrated again, and it sounded as though he were humming, or even singing, a song.
Meena breathed deeply, hoping his magic would work.
A slight wind rustled over her ear and she shivered. Not even the air was stable.
The wind picked up, wrapping around her head and bouncing off the wall next to her. She buried her face in her elbow, protecting her eyes from the blowing gale, all calm feelings gone.
Surely the roof had been torn off the cabin and the storm was raining down upon them. It was the only explanation she could think of for the intensity of the wind that still circled her.
“The door!” Sol yelled, pushing away from her.
She clung to the wooden handle, accepting her fate as it came to her. There was no point in leaving the cabin now. The ship was done for.
She heard the door slam open, slapping the cabin wall.
Whipping around her head once more, the wind disappeared.
Meena kept her face covered, waiting for the inevitable water to reach her toes.
The door slammed shut again, and the ship rolled. Meena waited for the ship to bounce back. Sol had left her.
She inhaled a shaky breath.
A very wet arm wrapped around her shoulder again and she started in surprise. “Sol!”
“The storm won’t die immediately, but that should keep us from the rocks below,” he yelled in her ear.
“What did you do?”
“I asked the wind for help.”
Chapter 19
