Chapter 15 #2
A fish.
I was terrified of a fish.
Now, I’m pissed.
It jerks back from the sudden brightness, and my body follows its movement. I let out a silent scream as blood slowly leaks from my ankle. It gives me an idea. I fumble for the blade strapped to my leg and roughly yank it from the sheath.
I grimace as I slice through the flesh of my thigh. Blood now flows freely from the wound, swirling through the water, marking my location.
Making it easier for Mikael to track me than the trickle from my ankle.
My next move is a risk, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get this fish to release my leg. Bending, I stab the dark waters repeatedly as I kick with my free leg, but my movements are sluggish.
I might injure myself more, but I’d rather that happen than turn into fish food.
I feverishly kick at this monstrosity of marine life again. My shin makes contact against its side, and the beast makes an awful, high-pitched noise.
The pressure lessens for a brief moment, but it doesn’t last.
Bubbles escape from my mouth in another scream as it jerks me around. The blade slips from my numbing hand. I try to grasp it, but blinding pain threatens my consciousness, and my limbs are heavy.
My lungs constrict, burning with the need for air.
I draw on my magic and a luminous orb glitters to life, spreading threads of light through the water. Mikael’s form rushes past me, and I change the intended use of my magic. Instead of throwing it at the creature, I send it after Mikael, to illuminate his path.
Mikael strikes the creature and the pressure on my leg releases, but it’s replaced by a wave of light-headedness. Crimson ribbons unfurl like ink spreading on paper, followed by another high-pitched whistle.
The orb of light flickers as darkness pushes in from the edges of my vision.
Come on, keep your eyes open. Stay alert.
My head lolls, brown hair spreading around me as my arms float up and my body sinks. Lids heavy, I slowly blink. I’m falling into a dark dream, embraced by the weightlessness of the sea.
Is the water warmer now?
A solid form surrounds me, and I begin to ascend.
Mikael.
In his hold, my body relaxes as I’m dragged toward the light.
Breaking the surface, my lungs greedily gasp down air, coughing as I do.
“I… I… can’t tell if I’m cold anymore.” My words are strained.
“Hang in there.”
Mikael wraps my arms around his neck and swims to our boat. He puts my hands onto the sides. “Hold onto it. I’m going to lift you up and as I do, try to pull up.”
“O—oh—kay.” My response is lost among the waves crashing against the boat.
Mikael anchors himself onto the side with one arm and slides his other under my hamstrings. “Ready?”
I nod, ready to get out of the water. He lifts, but I’m too weak, and cannot push myself up and over. The boat capsizes, flipping upside down.
Our packs, heavy with supplies, are like boulders once they hit the water, sinking below the surface. Mikael roars as he reaches after them, but they sink too fast.
I fall with the supplies, splashing back beneath the water. I quickly resurface and find myself under the boat. My energy is spent, and I’m unable to swim, so I hang onto the seat as best as I can while my limbs shake uncontrollably.
Everything we prepared for this journey—food, extra clothing, shelter, medical supplies—is gone. The only thing that still floats on the surface are apples and the woven bag.
“Go after them,” I try to demand through chattering teeth.
“No. You need to get out of the water. We’ll make do,” Mikael says.
“We need those supplies. I’m already in the water. What’s another few seconds?” I won’t relent. He has to try. His lower body temperature can withstand being cold longer.
“No, it’s too late.” He puts a hand on my cheek. “You’re too cold. They’re gone, and whatever call that creature was making, plus the blood in the water, can bring more of its kin or other beasts. Bigger ones, that we won’t be able to fight off.”
He’s right. Getting back in the boat is the best chance at making it to the island. We aren’t far from the shore, but still too far to swim in the water’s temperature.
“Can you tread for a few seconds?” Mikael asks.
“I’ll try.” I respond.
Mikael helps me move out from under the boat, then disappears under it.
My weakened limbs struggle, senselessly pawing at the icy liquid to keep me afloat while I wait.
I can barely feel my own body move as the seconds stretch. Each rotation of my arms and kick of my legs slows.
Just when I question how much longer I can hold myself up, the boat finally rises out of the water and slaps down in the correct position. Mikael pushes it toward me, helping my hand up to grip the edge.
I hand him the apples and he throws them in. At least we’ll have something to eat and be able to use the twine. Although I’m not sure what good it’ll do, since it’s not as strong as rope.
Mikael grabs the side, pulls himself up, and slides his chest over until he’s able to roll the rest of his body, awkwardly with the blades at his back, into the boat. I am glad he still has those. One should never be without a weapon, and mine is long gone.
And I fancied that dagger. Just another thing that’ll need to be replaced. For fuck’s sake, he couldn’t just cost me my sanity, he’s got to drain my bank account with this quest too.
“Your turn, but I’ll help you.” He reaches out his hand for my free one and places it once again on the edge of the boat.
I mimic his movements, waiting for his next instruction.
“I’m going to grab under your arms and help you up until you can roll in yourself. It’s going to hurt, especially with your injured leg.”
“I can’t feel the pain anymore. One thing the cold is good for.”
“And you wanted me to go after the packs? You’re impossible.” Only his face, plastered with a crooked smile, and outstretched arms are visible.
“Yes, I did. Help me up, please.” I tighten my fingers over the edge, ready to try pushing myself up.
“Three… two… one… now!” Mikael grips the underside of my forearms and pulls as I kick hard and use my remaining strength to slide over the boat’s edge.
He moves backward as I ungracefully turn and roll, hitting my spine on the seat as I land. I let out a curse when I find myself splayed out on the bottom of the boat with my calves resting on the seat.
I groan, remaining where I landed. I’m relieved to be out of the water, but the wind is going to make me freeze even faster.
Mikael leans over me. His blond hair is slicked back, and I appreciate all the beautiful angles of his face.
Even if he’s upside down.
I love the curve of his lips, the arch of his brows, and his defined jawline.
“Let’s see now… what’s the count on who’s saved whom?” he asks.
Droplets of water fall onto my mouth from a stray strand of hair. I reach up and push it back among the others, but it stubbornly falls again. Just like him, stubbornly making me go on this quest. I guess I can be grateful he doesn’t want me to die.
He helps me maneuver into a sitting position, so we don’t tip the boat again.
“I think we’re even. For now.”
“There’s still more fun to have.” Mikael picks up the oars and continues rowing. Each stroke hits the water with force, propelling us forward faster than before.
“I wouldn’t call any of this fun.” I pout, shivering from the flow of air as we make our way to the island.