Chapter 29 Kai
Kai
Something monstrous emerged from the gloom.
A creature with a long, coiled tail. My breath caught in my chest as it launched out of the water.
This was no ordinary sea snake. For starters, it was much too large, and also, the waters in this part of the ocean were too cold for a regular sea snake.
Only larger creatures with plenty of fat or magic could survive this far north.
The shoal of salmon that had accompanied me since the boat left the harbor scattered in panic. None of them wanted to be this monster’s next meal.
Frankly, neither did I.
I swam to the surface to see what had attracted the creature, only to see it dive back down a hundred feet away. A glimpse of pale skin caught my attention as a wave of panic slammed into me. My magic exploded, bringing forth my trident.
As I darted after the creature, the premonition I’d had before we left campus came back to me. Only this wasn’t a bridge over a gorge. We were in the middle of the ocean, still a good two hours away from the island.
Was this the cetus the fates had warned me about, or another opportunistic predator?
I didn’t have time to dwell on the puzzle. The tether in my chest told me this abominable creature had taken my mate and intended to steal her away into the depths, where she’d drown and die.
The cetus moved fast, but I was faster. It must have sensed my approach. A thick tail lashed out, slamming into my side and knocking me sideways. The creature twisted around to look at me, slitted eyes filled with rage.
Raven’s dark hair floated in the swirling ocean currents. She’d lost consciousness. Time was running out.
I pushed down my panic and channeled the lessons beaten into me by my mother’s warriors.
Remain calm.
Use your agility against larger predators.
Strike hard and fast.
The cetus held Raven’s body in its jaws. Razor-sharp teeth gleamed in the muted light filtering down from the surface. I needed to distract the monster so it dropped my mate. Then I could grab her and swim away. The cetus was fast, but with a magical boost, I was faster.
Once I had my mate in my arms, I could help her breathe. That would give us enough time to reach safety.
The cetus lashed out when I thrust my trident into its belly. Once again, it struck my side, this time breaking the skin. The pain of the cetus’ barbed tail nearly caused me to drop my trident, but I swam beneath its vulnerable belly and stabbed a second time.
Black blood clouded the water, adding to the murk.
I struck once more, deeper. The creature thrashed, trying to escape, but my trident held firm. The cetus weakened as it lost more blood. A flash of white floated past as the creature released my mate, and I yanked my trident free.
Vicious jaws lunged, but I ducked out of the way, my tail propelling me toward Raven’s limp body. I heard the cetus roar in frustration as I grabbed her and swam faster than I ever had before.
I knew these waters. My friends and I had swum here many times, chasing sea creatures and playing hide-and-seek in the underwater caves.
There was a cave nearby. Too small for the cetus to enter, which would give me time to heal my mate and wait for the cetus to either die or give up and leave. I probably should have killed it, but Raven would perish if I waited any longer.
I swam down and into the cavern. The minute we were safe, I sealed my lips to hers and pushed magic into her body.
She remained limp in my arms, her skin ice cold against my chest. I couldn’t feel a pulse, but the tether between us remained. She was stuck in limbo. Not dead but not quite alive.
Don’t leave me!
I couldn’t lose her. If she died, I would die too. There was no place in this world for me if she crossed the veil.
Panic and regret flooded me as I continued to push more magic into her. Why had I refused to accept the soul-bond? I was a fool. A stupid, weak fool.
The goddess had gifted me the most perfect, beautiful mate in the entire universe, and I’d thrown that gift away.
Please come back to me.
Her limp body twitched in my arms.
If you die, I will follow you beyond the veil.
Her chest rose and fell.
You are my mate.
One breath, and then another.
You are mine, and I am yours.
Her pretty violet eyes opened and stared at me in shock. I broke the seal between our mouths, and she gasped.
“I can breathe! How is that possible?”
Her arms snaked around my neck, and I pulled her closer, pushing more magic into her to warm her icy body.
There were more effective warming spells, but my magic reserves were now so low I didn’t want to risk her losing the ability to take in oxygen underwater.
Being able to breathe was the most important thing.
“Magic.”
“Is this why we can speak in our minds?”
“Yes.” She shivered and clung to me while staring around the cavern, taking in the glowing walls.
“It’s beautiful down here, but so cold.”
“I know, my sweet witch. Let me check to see if the cetus has gone, then we can head to the surface and get back onto the boat.”
“Is that the thing you said would attack me? The monster from your vision?”
I nodded. “I saw a bridge over a gorge in my vision, but the decisions made prior to the event can change the final outcome.” Her whole body trembled, and not only from the cold.
“Stars above, I hope I never see that thing again.”
I’d make sure it didn’t survive a second encounter. At least I’d badly wounded it. It would likely die from its injuries. Or another predator would take advantage of its weakened state and kill it for me.
“Wait here for a moment. I’ll be right back.” Raven kicked her legs and nodded as I released her. With a powerful flick of my tail, I swam to the cave’s opening and peered out into the gloom. A few salmon appeared, their iridescent scales shimmering as they swam in lazy circles.
The cetus must have gone. The salmon knew better than to hang around a predator.
Some of the tension left me. I swam back into the cavern and took Raven’s hand.
“Climb onto my back and wrap your arms around my neck. Whatever happens, do not let go.”
“I won’t let go.”
“Raven, I promise nothing will happen to you.”
“I know, Kai. I trust you.” She chewed her lip for a moment before lunging forward and kissing me.
The shock of her lips touching mine caused me to freeze before the magic between us flared.
Instead of pulling away as I would have done before, I tightened my grip on her slender body, marveling at how perfectly her curves fit my hard lines.
Now that I had her in my arms, I vowed never to let her go again.