25. Eve
EVE
The cold is everywhere.
Each breath is like swallowing knives. The pain in my head makes my stomach roll. My limbs are numb. Icy water surrounds me as I’m pulled deeper into the unknown.
A hand grips my arm like an iron band.
I force my eyes open. Dark water rushes past. My head is contained in a small bubble, like the one Harven had put in early today. It had encased my entire body. The sharkin who’s taken me clearly didn’t know I needed to be fully covered.
Being exposed to the open ocean is torture. This is how I’m going to die.
My skin is a disheartening shade of blue. My frozen muscles are hard to move. I pour all my will into it and force myself to fight. To thrash and kick at my captor. I owe it to myself to go down swinging.
It’s of no use. He overpowers me with ease, snarling into my face.
The fight leaves me as quickly as it came.
The cold is slowing my body. I can feel my dwindling heartbeat. The blood in my veins is sluggish, unable to rush to my numb extremities.
The pain in my chest worsens. I latch onto it lovingly. It’s the last piece of Harven I have.
The thought of him makes me glow. White light spills over my skin. I think I’m hallucinating, but the sharkin pauses.
I don’t get to consider what any of this means as a tentacle wraps around my middle. The scarred tip beams up at me. Despite my exhaustion, I manage a smile.
Two royal guards swim up beside us and shackle the sharkin.
The tentacle winds me back until I connect with a familiar warm chest. I can’t lift my hands. My body screams to get closer to his heat, but I can’t move. I feel my life slipping away in a cold trickle.
Eve, the sound rattles against my mind.
It’s how we spoke at the market. Underwater communication was fascinating. Too bad I won’t be around to experience it again.
Stay with me, Eve. I’ve got you.
H–harven. S—so cold.
I know, my mate. I know. Stay with me. Stay awake. We’ll be home soon.
The need to obey him swims in my veins, but it’s too late. Nothing can stop this. I have to make peace with it while I can.
In the end, I found my perfect match. My Kraken King. My soulmate. I just wish we had more time.
You’re my home, Harven.
Our fight seems pointless in the face of death.
Summoning my last strength, I brush my fingers against his stomach.
I love you, Eve. Listen to me. Keep your fucking eyes open. Eve—
The darkness consumes me one last time.