Page 381 of Kingdoms of Night

Isa froze. “Stop.”

She wouldn’t…

The ship slid sideways.

Dame threw Nico into the sea.

CHAPTERFIVE

ISA

Isa’s whole heart flung itself over with Nico’s body. Her scream became a growl and she tore away from Ursane, not feeling the cut of the dagger if there was one, and she leapt from the ship.

She dove into wild waves, then came up with her mouth half full of salty water. “Nico! Nico, I’m here!”

The thunder ate her shouts and the sea pulled her under.

Salt water stung her eyes as she searched the dark water below for any sign of him. But there was only the green-black of the tumultuous ocean and the flash of the storm breaking through the surface. She kicked and rose up, swimming hard to keep her head high enough for a quick breath for her burning lungs. The ship disappeared behind a wall of water.

Shouts and shrieking lanced through the howling winds.

“Nico!”

A small hand shot upward through the black waves.

Source, save us.Isa struck out with her arms and kicked as hard as she could. One shoe slipped from her foot as her dress tugged at her like rough hands.

“Isa?” Nico’s voice was a light in the dark.

She swam, not feeling anything but a blazing hope. He would live. He had to.

Debris twisted past her on a foaming swirl—a sun-bleached log, a cracked barrel, a length of light green wood.

It was one of Seigneur’s pinnaces!

Isa snatched the edge of the lightweight craft and hoisted it upward. The small boat crashed back down. She lurched backward.

Nico’s shout grew distant.

Her throat closed. She swam away from the pinnace, shouting Nico’s name. “I’m coming.” She kicked and kicked and kicked. “Wave your hand.”

Thunder drummed, cutting off her words and striking her ears.

Nico’s face appeared between the waves, his mouth open and his eyes screwed shut.

She sliced through the water, a new energy rising in her blood, until she had his arm in her grip. His skin was ice. Pulling his arm over her shoulder, she maneuvered him onto her back.

“Hold on to my neck.”

He didn’t respond, but his chest rose and fell against her.

“Nico!”

With his cold arms draped over her shoulders and his sharp forearms freezing on the sides of her neck, she swam. She had to get to the pinnace. Or somewhere. Already her kicks were weak and her arms were jellied fruit.

“Hold on, my little hope. Hold on.”

He murmured something, but the storm raged on, the rain shooting across the waves and piercing like arrows.

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