Chapter 47 Danica
Danica
I'm losing my damn mind as Rhyland is yanked beneath the surface by whatever hellspawn is lurking in the depths.
"Rhyland!"
Oh god, what do I do? Jump in after him like some discount action hero?
Yup, that's precisely what I'm going to do. But I need…
My eyes dart around the chamber, desperate for something—anything—to haul Rhyland's ass out of that nightmare.
I'm about to start ripping my hair out when Rhyland resurfaces, gasping for air.
Before I can even breathe a sigh of relief, he's dragged back under, the water churning and frothing like a blender set to "fuck you up. "
I'm on the verge of a full-blown panic attack when I spot a battered old barrel tucked away in the far corner of my little island of safety.
I scramble over to it, my heart pounding so hard I'm pretty sure it's about to burst out of my chest. I try to pry the damn thing open, but it doesn't budge like it's welded shut with the tears of a thousand frustrated sailors.
I'm about to start kicking and screaming like a toddler in a tantrum when my hands fire up, the glow building. Without even thinking, I blast the barrel with everything I've got. The thing disintegrates like a pinata, and I'm left blinking away spots as the debris rains down around me.
Then, like a gift from the gods of shitty situations, I spot a length of rope among the wreckage. "Rhyland, hang on…please don't fucking die," I whisper, my voice cracking with desperation.
I snatch up the rope and race back to the ledge, my heart in my throat as I watch the water churn and boil like a witches' cauldron. I can see the fight raging just below the surface, a blur of thrashing limbs and frothing bubbles, and I know I have to act fast, or Rhyland will end up as fish food.
I don't waste a second. I tie one end of the rope around my waist and secure the other to the pillar behind me with a knot.
Then, I jump…
The icy liquid hits me like a slap in the face, stealing the breath from my lungs and making my eyes sting.
I force my eyes open, trying to make sense of the blurry mess of limbs and what looks like a creature straight out of a Lovecraftian nightmare.
But I don't have time to dwell on the fact that we're in a real-life horror movie.
Rhyland needs me, and I'll be damned if I let some overgrown sushi roll take him out.
I don't waste a second; I blast my light.
The water around me explodes a burst of pure energy so bright it's like an atomic bomb going off.
The creature lets out a shriek that vibrates through the water like a physical thing, and then it's gone, scurrying away into the depths like the cowardly piece of shit it is.
Rhyland is there, breaking the surface with a gasp and a sputter, his face pale and his eyes wild. He looks like he just went ten rounds with a great white shark, but he's alive, and that's all that matters.
"Rhyland!" I yell, my voice cracking with relief as I grab him like a lifeline. He's weak and battered, his skin paler than a ghost, and his eyes glazed over with pain. But he reaches for me like I'm the last solid thing in the world, his fingers scrabbling at my arms. "We gotta climb, babe. Now."
Rhyland doesn't waste a second. He grips the rope, his muscles straining as he hauls us towards the wall. "Climb on, baby," he grits out, his voice rough with exhaustion and pain.
I don't argue. I clamber onto his back like a koala, wrapping my arms and legs around him as he starts to climb. His muscles strain with the effort, the veins in his arms standing out like cords as he hauls us up inch by painful inch.
Finally, we reach the ledge. I scramble over Rhyland's shoulder, my limbs shaking with adrenaline and exhaustion as I claw my way onto solid ground.
Rhyland is right behind me, his fingers scrabbling at the edge of the landing as he tries to haul himself up—his arms are trembling, and his grip is slipping. He's running on fumes and will fall if I don't do something fast.
I lunge forward, grabbing onto his arms and yanking with everything I've got. I can feel the veins in my neck popping, the muscles in my back screaming with the strain. But I don't let go. I can't let go.
"Come on, you stubborn bastard," I grunt, my teeth gritted with the effort. "Don't you dare quit on me now."
For a moment, I'm sure we're both going to go tumbling back into the water, but then Rhyland gets his feet under him and uses the momentum to propel himself up and over the ledge. He lands on top of me in a tangle of limbs and gasping breaths, his weight crushing the air from my lungs.
But I don't care. I don't care about anything except the fact that he's here, alive and safe.
I wrap my arms around him and hold on like he's the only thing keeping me tethered to this world.
My face is buried in the crook of his neck as I breathe in his scent, the solid, reassuring warmth of his body.
We lay there, gasping for air and trying to get our bearings.
Against all odds, against every fucking thing this hellhole has thrown at us, we're alive.
He takes a shuddering breath, his hand finding mine and gripping it tight. "I'm okay," he rasps, his voice thin and thready. "I'm okay, Angel."
I let out a sob of relief, "Don't you ever fucking do that again," I choke out, my words muffled by his skin. "Don't scare me—I can't lose you, Rhyland. I can't."
I know deep down it wasn't his fault, but holy hell. What else am I supposed to say right now? I was scared out of my ever-loving mind, so sue me for having a momentary freak-out.
Your brain doesn't fire on all cylinders when your man is inches from becoming some watery hellspawn's dinner. It's not like I had time to consult my "How to Gracefully Handle Near-Death Experiences" handbook.
I'm running on adrenaline, fear, and whatever's left of my sanity at this point.
He holds me tighter, his breath warm against my ear. "You won't," he promises, his voice fierce and strong. "I'm not going anywhere, baby. Not without you."
And I believe him. Because if there's one thing I know about Rhyland, it's that he's a stubborn son of a bitch who never breaks a promise. Not to me, not to anyone.
Rhyland looks down at me, his dark hair a wet, sopping mess dripping over my face. "Thank you," his voice rough with emotion. "I probably would've been that fucking thing's dinner if it wasn't for you."
Before I can even open my mouth to respond, he's crushing his lips against mine, kissing me with a desperate, hungry intensity. I can taste the fear and the relief on his tongue, feel the way his body trembles against mine with the aftershocks of adrenaline.
Of course, I'd save him—what, did he think I would let him become fish food? I didn't even think; I just acted. It's not like I had time to weigh the pros and cons of diving into monster-infested waters. "Save hot vampire boyfriend" was pretty much at the top of my to-do list.
He breaks away, his eyes so blue and intense they could melt icebergs. "But if you ever do something so fucking reckless again," he growls, his voice low and dangerous, "I will bend you over my knee and spank that sexy ass of yours until you can't sit for a week. You hear me, Angel?"
I can't help but roll my eyes, even as a shiver runs down my spine. "Oh please, like you could stop me. Someone's got to keep your stubborn ass alive, and it might as well be me. Besides," I add with a smirk, "is that supposed to be a threat or a promise?"
Rhyland's eyes darken, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Oh, it's a fucking promise, baby. And you know I always keep my promises."
I arch an eyebrow, ignoring the heat pooling in my belly. "Big talk for a guy who just got his ass handed to him by the Loch Ness Monster's ugly cousin. Maybe you should focus on staying alive instead of making empty promises."
He growls, the sound sending tingles to my clit. "Empty promises? I'll show you empty promises, little angel." He leans in closer, his body radiating heat. "How about I bend you over right here and now, show you exactly what happens to naughty girls who don't listen?"
I swallow hard, my heart racing. But I'm not about to back down. "As tempting as that sounds, Sailor Stud, we've got bigger issues. Like, you know, saving the world and all that crap. But rain check?"
Rhyland chuckles, the sound low and dangerous. "Oh, don't you worry, baby—I'm going to cash in that rain check. And when I do, you will be begging for mercy."
I grin despite the heat in my cheeks. "Promises, promises. Now, how about we focus on getting out of this watery hellhole before you start writing checks your ass can't cash?"
Rhyland smirks, crushing his lips to mine again and kissing me with so much want and need that I'm pretty sure my toes are curling inside my soggy boots. When he finally pulls away, I'm left more breathless than if I'd just run a marathon underwater.
As much as I want to lose myself in the moment—and boy, do I want to—I know we don't have time for a steamy makeout session in the middle of this aquatic nightmare. I break away from the kiss, my chest heaving as I try to catch my breath and remember how to form coherent thoughts.
"Easy there, Sir Seduces-a-lot," I quip. "I know I'm irresistible, but we have a job to do. You can thank me properly later, preferably somewhere with a bed and a distinct lack of murderous sea monsters."
Rhyland's eyes flash with a heat that could probably boil the water around us. "Don't tempt me, woman," he rumbles, his voice low and dangerous enough to make my insides do a little happy dance. "I'll throw you over my fucking shoulder and find a bed right now if you keep looking at me like that."
I can't help but laugh, the sound echoing off the walls like a gunshot. "As much as I appreciate the caveman act, I think we both know that's a terrible idea," I say, my tone dry as the Sahara. "Besides, I'm not into exhibitionism. At least, not when there's a risk of tentacle monsters joining in."
He shakes his head, that infuriating smirk still playing at the corner of his mouth. "You sure about that, baby? 'Cause I seem to recall you getting all hot and bothered at the thought of me bending you over that table in the bar and showing everyone who you belong to."
I punch his chest, my face flushing hotter than a sunburned tomato. "That is so not true," I protest, but even I can hear the lie in my voice.
Because the truth is, the idea of Rhyland taking me like that, claiming me in front of everyone like the possessive alpha he is? It has me tingling in all the right places, a rush of heat pooling low in my belly.
Rhyland's eyes darken, his gaze raking over me like a physical caress. "Don't try to deny it, Angel. I can smell how much you want it, how much you need me to fucking own you."
I bite my lip, my thighs clenching together as I try to ignore the ache building between them. "You're delusional," I manage to get out, but my voice is breathy and weak, even to my ears.
Rhyland chuckles, the sound dark and wicked. "Keep telling yourself that, baby. But we both know the truth."
He leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. "One of these days, I'm going to bend you over in front of everyone and show them all who you belong to. I will make you scream my name so loud they'll never forget it."
I shudder, my eyes fluttering closed as his words wash over me. I can picture it so clearly—Rhyland's hands on my hips, his body pressed against mine as he takes me hard and fast, not caring who sees or hears.
It's wrong. It's dirty. It's so fucking hot I can barely stand it.
I flush even harder, my mind spinning with all the filthy, delicious possibilities.
But I can't let myself get distracted—can't let him see how much he affects me, how easily he can turn me into a needy, desperate slut with just a few words.
Not now, not when we're so close to getting out of this hellhole.
"As much as I'd love to lay here and listen to you talk dirty to me all day, we've got shit to do. So why don't you put your money where your mouth is and help me find this damn key?"
Rhyland's grin widens, his eyes glinting with a challenge. "Oh, I'll put my mouth wherever you want me to, Angel. Just say the word."
I roll my eyes but can't help but smile. "You're impossible."
"Yeah, but you love me anyway," he shoots back, his voice softening with affection.
I shake my head, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. "God help me, I do," I whisper, the words a confession and a prayer all at once.
Before I lose my nerve, I lean in and press a quick, hard kiss to his lips. "Now come on, big guy," I murmur against his mouth. "Let's find this key and get out of here. We've got a world to save and a future to plan, and I don't want to waste another second."
Rhyland grins, standing up and taking me with him. "Lead the way, baby. I'm right behind you."