Page 90 of Flirting with Darkness

All I have to do is swim.

My lungs are burning, my eyes sting, and my skin feels like it’s being attacked by acid. I’ve never been in that much pain, but I refuse to let Valdred’s words sink in.

This torture doesn’t feel like death. It’s too painful.

Each stroke hurts, but the light is brighter. I’ve almost emerged.

I’m a strong swimmer, and I can do this.

Ican.

Never mind that my strength is waning. Never mind that stopping feels oh so easy and quiet.

One more stroke, then another, and the next.

14

DARINA

My hand shivers as it pierces the surface. Something below seeks to hold me down, becoming heavier and heavier. I’m almost there, but I can’t possibly muster the strength to move my legs or my arms anymore.

But a strong hand flies up and takes mine, pulling me up, until my torso’s reached the shore.

Him.

I cough up water, shivering in the cold night.

When the water’s out of my throat and nose, I crawl the rest of the way.

The man who almost killed me after saving me stands in the moonlight, smirking down at me.

Only it can’t be moonlight, because I see each of his striking features clearly—clearer than anything I’ve ever laid my eyes on.

His pale skin glows in the darkness, and his waves aren’t black as I thought before, but a blue almost as dark as midnight ink. His eyes still dance with stars in the darkness.

Then I notice things behind him. The shiny green of the grass, the noise of the ants crawling away from me. Everything is new and beautiful and bright.

I have so many questions.

None are more important than barking the first words out of my mouth. “You asshole! You complete bastard! How dare you? Why the hell did you throw me into that fucking lake? I almost died, you dick!”

Weak as I was a moment ago, I’m surprised I manage to get to my feet without wobbling. But I do.

As I stand, I notice Valdred a few steps behind the one he called Aedron.

He’s as stunned as if he’d seen a ghost.

“And you! You hear some girl’s being taken advantage of by a worm and your reaction is to bring her to your kinky woods and shove your dick in her mouth? I can’t believe this fucking place. You’re all the worst!”

It’s only then that I realize the words shouldn’t have been able to cross my lips.

I am cursed to heed Jaynus’s orders.

At least, I was.

I return my attention to Aedron again. During my speech, he lost neither his smirk nor his beauty.

I cross my arms over my chest. “So, you broke the spell, did you? If you believe I’m going to thank you, think again. There’s such a thing aswarninga girl before throwing her in creepy waters!”

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