Frost Bound (Entangled with Trickery #1)

Chapter 21 DAHLIA

Her back hit the water first, then the icy barrage closed over her head.

Dahlia reflexively gasped and clawed for the surface, kicking her legs though they tangled in her skirts.

She burst into the air coughing and spewing water as the river pulled her downstream. Her eyes burned; her skin stung as if she were being pricked by thousands of needles. She locked her gaze on the bank, which was farther away than she remembered. Arun raced along the edge of the river, his pitch-black gaze locked on her.

“Hold on!”

The cloak snagged on something in the water below and she cried out when the clasp dug into her throat as the river feverishly tore at her legs. She gagged and tugged on the infernal clasp with numb, shaking fingers.

Stay calm. You can swim. Slow breaths.

The clasp gave, and she kicked to keep afloat as she was towed down the river, the cry of frost giants filling the air. Lia kicked hard and gritted her teeth as the weight of the skirt and boots threatened to pull her beneath the surface.

Her legs ached, feeling like giant blocks of ice moving in slow motion.

Get out of the water.

Her attention snapped onto Olwen, Flyka, and the king on the bridge. They dropped a rope from the stone railing.

“Grab the rope,” Arun bellowed from the side, still trying to keep up with the swift river.

Dahlia scooped her arms through the frigid river, her limbs protesting each movement. She gritted her teeth and ignored the pain. All she had to do was grab the rope.

The river tossed her to the right and she scrambled, grazing a rock, her fingers seeking purchase along the slick stone, only to be tossed back into the rapids part of the river. Her breath fogged in thin clouds as she kicked harder, going at a diagonal to get in line with the rope.

The bridge rose ahead, and she lifted her hands, catching the rope. It slipped in her grip, and she wrapped it around her fist. Her body jerked to a stop, which was a completely different torment of its own. The river angrily tore at her, trying to suck her down. Lia growled, trying to hold on as the Haunts above began to lift her from the water.

Her limbs trembled and her whole body shook as she tried to hold on. Dahlia’s eyes widened the moment her arms gave out. The rope burned faintly before it caught, jerking her right arm above her head. Agony exploded through her body and she screamed, crashing into the river in a tangle of limbs.

For a moment, she curled in on herself in the water, holding her broken arm to her chest.

Kick. Fight. Don’t stop moving.

Her body was so tired. Lia kicked and tried to open her eyes, disoriented. Which way was up?

A firm arm banded around her waist and yanked her up. Dahlia broke the surface, sputtering.

Tears poured from her eyes as she clung to whoever had pulled her from the water with her good arm. She opened her eyes, gaping at the fearsome expression on Arun’s face.

“We’re too close,” he whispered.

Her eyes rounded at the sharp boulder the river would dash them against. She closed her eyes, preparing for the pain. Her heart raced and her stiff fingers spasmed against his wet skin. She was going to die.

“ Qov !” he yelled, startling her tired eyes open. He glanced down at her and spun a second before they crashed into the rock.

Her teeth clacked together, even though he’d taken the brunt of it. She stared up at his face—deep blue brows slashed together, fangs bared, and forehead wrinkled in pain. He groaned, panting hard.

“Don’t let go of me,” he panted as the river tugged them back into its furious rush, yanking them beneath the surface once again. His claws pricked her when he tightened his grip, but she felt no pain. Time seemed suspended, and her lungs started to burn.

Don’t panic. Just a little longer. Hold your breath.

They broke the surface.

“Wrap your arms around my neck,” he shouted over a distant thunder. “I will swim for the both of us.”

She shook her head, her eyelids feeling extremely tired. “Can’t,” she slurred, her lips stiff. “My arm.”

He cursed again, and hitched her tighter, keeping his hand secured around her waist. She stared up into his ferocious face as he began to swim against the river. Her chin dropped to his shoulder even though the water lapped at her mouth. She’d just rest for a little bit. The roar of the river chanted in her ears. She leaned her cheek against Arun’s shoulder and stared at how the water narrowed, seeming like it came to a stop.

Waterfall , her mind whispered.

And yet Lia couldn’t find it in herself to worry. All she wanted to do was sleep.

Movement in the sky caught her attention. A large owl swooped through the air, its feathers so white they were startling against the coming night. She felt her body giving out, her grip slacking.

“Come on,” Arun growled.

They neared the edge, the water turning white and seeming like it curled in on itself as it tumbled into oblivion. They stopped moving, suspended in the angry river.

She watched as the water sucked at her legs, trying to drive her over the waterfall’s edge. She knew she should be scared, but couldn’t find it in herself to feel anything.

The enormous owl swooped closer, its golden eyes a startling contrast to its round white face. It seemed like it was telling her something.

A sigh escaped her. Finally, the cold was receding, warmth creeping into her limbs. Maybe the river wasn’t so frigid.

Her stomach lurched when they moved, only to get yanked suddenly. It went on and on until the water slipped from her lips, to her neck, and then chest. She tipped her head against Arun’s neck, eyelids falling shut, the shriek of an owl and the thunder of a waterfall lulling her to sleep.

Just a quick nap.

The brute shook her roughly and slapped her cheek.

Lia laughed, but it was more of a gurgle as his penetrating, terrifying eyes focused on her face. “That didn’t hurt,” she slurred, her face feeling all wrong.

His lips turned downward and his brows slashed together, water dripping from his chin. “Don’t close your eyes. Keep them open, jaivelle .”

She cried out, a bone-deep pain shooting through her shoulder as he lifted her into his arms. He didn’t know just how heavy her eyelids were. Her head lolled back, and she smiled as the sun retreated completely and one star winked at her, the outline of an owl above.

The sky blurred, and she closed her eyes as the wind picked up.

“Stay with me,” a deep rumbly voice whispered.