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I waved them off and after taking care of a few more things, I left as well, heading back to the bedchamber. I stopped at Kya’s door along the way.
It was well after dark, so I knocked lightly but when no answer came, I entered to find that she was sound asleep in the bed. She was laying on her side and her loose hair splayed out behind her on the pillow, still wet from a bath, the covers were pulled up to her neck.
Not wanting to risk that she was still upset with me, I didn’t wake her. I understood she wanted to be alone, but I couldn’t bring myself to stay away all night. I made myself comfortable in a chair across the room and I watched her as she slept, her chest rising and falling in deep even breaths.
As powerful as she would have been, this was a vulnerable time for her. Working to manifest her magic and shifting was draining and left her weak. I wanted her to stay near me so I could protect her if needed. But if she woke and found me hovering, she would have been upset with me even more than she already was. We needed to work together to get through all of this. I wanted her to trust me.
I stayed there for a while, contemplating what I could do to make it up to her. When I was upset, I would either lash out with training while venting with Mavris or Hakoa. But shedidn’t have anyone here other than me and Odarum. And if his company was anything like Theron, it wasn’t much of a comfort.
An idea came to mind, but I needed Theron’s help—a gift of sorts that might bring her joy. I walked over and gently kissed her forehead, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face and tucking the blankets around her more. Then, with a smile I quietly left the room.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Kya
Ibegan kicking and thrashing, trying to get to the surface as I struggled to hold my breath. The water of the river was all around me. Everything was dark. The nagasai was coming for me.
I had to get to the surface.
I had to get away.
I kept telling myself that it was just a nightmare. That I was imagining myself back in the dark depths of the river during the Trial. If I could just get to the surface…
I couldn’t hold my breath any longer. My lungs felt as if they were being crushed.
My eyes flew open, and I woke up with a gasp. But instead of sucking down air, water filled my lungs.
It’s not a dream.
I was in my room in the palace. I could see the faint glow of the moons streaming through the window. Everything was warped by the water surrounding me. I struggled and fought, lashing out with my arms and legs, but I couldn’t move.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I was suspended above my bed in a sphere of water. It was freezing against my skin and I could feel the faint traces of my hair floating around my face.
A hooded figure stood next to me, his face peeking out from underneath just enough to reveal his hardened features, his arms held out in front of him. A water wielder.
And he was drowning me.
I tried to cough out the liquid as my body began to convulse. I couldn’t think about anything other than the need for air. I couldn’t even scream or call for help.
Fuck it burns. Make it stop.
Everything happened so fast, but it felt like an eternity as I clawed at my throat, digging my nails into my skin in a primal instinct to do whatever I could to breathe again.
I didn’t fear death. But that wasn’t how I wanted to go.
A flash of black appeared in my peripherals, but I couldn’t see past my fading vision or focus enough to care about anything other than trying to fight my way out.
Suddenly, a body crashed into me and the bubble fell with a roaring crash as I landed on the bed and toppled to the floor. I rolled over and vomited. Water spewed from my nose and mouth over and over to the point that it felt endless.
I could scarcely hear a scream before a sickening crunch and squelching over my heaving. My vision was obscured and my mind was disorientated.
Finally, I choked down the life-giving air into my aching lungs.
I collapsed onto the floor as I gulped down as many breaths as I could. My body violently shook and my muscles contracted. Face down on the cold, hard stone, the outline of a hoof came into view just before everything went dark.
When I woke, I found myself lying alone on the bed in Ryker’s room. Odarum was standing on the other end by the wall.
