Page 107 of Storm of Desire
And the wind was calling her name, lifting strands of hair off herback.
"Please," Malin blurted. "Just do it. Before I lose mynerve."
Once again she felt him brush against her mind as he hopped toward the edge of theledge.
Malin's fingers and thighs tightened around him. Oh, sweet goddess. The world vanished beneath his shoulders as he paused right on the edge, and her throat closed over in purefear.
"Be at ease, Malin,"Sirius whispered in her mind, and she realized she'd somehow let him in during her panic."And focus on enjoying the wind rushing past your ears, rather than the ground beneath your feet. I won't let you fall. I won't ever let youfall."
Thedrekiprince exploded into theskies.
* * *
"Haakon Dragonsbane?"
The first thing Haakon noticed was the chill creeping along his arms.Cold?He'd fallen asleep in an oven, with Árdís curled up in hisarms—
Arms that were nowempty.
Haakon reached out blindly, turning his head to try and find her. The imprint where she'd lain held no heat, and the hollow of the blankets revealed only the ghostly shell of herbody.
He had a split-second moment of horror. A realization,she's gone,again....
"Árdís?"
There was no sign of her in the cabin. The shiplurched.
"Haakon."
Árdís. Her voice sounded very scared, and faraway.
He slung his legs out of bed, slipping into his trousers and grabbing his sword. The ship rocked as if a storm lashed it and the door to the cabin banged as it hit thedoorjamb.
Staggering through the door, he found himself in a nightmare. Enormous waves crashed and rolled. The skies were black, though lightning flickered all around the ship. No sign of any of the men. Where the devil were they? Water sprayed over him as a wave smashed against the portside.
"Árdís?" he bellowed, staggering forward to grab hold of the mast. He needed to find rope and tie himself to it. But there was none lyingaround.
"Haakon!" A softcry.
He saw a small figure in a white nightgown near the bow of the ship. What was she doing out in this weather? Fear twisted him in tight knots. He'd not said a thing to her about sitting in the crow's nest, but this was far more dangerous. Where the hell was Tormund?Gunnar?
Another wave slammed the ship. No time forrope.
That slim figure staggered against therailing.
Haakon fought his way forward, casting the sword aside. He wouldn't need it. Spray wet his cheeks and face, until his hairdripped.
Árdís slipped away from him, her skirts rustling around her legs and her bare feet leaving little imprints on the deck that glowed with greenfire.
"Árja!" He was losingher.
"Please save me!" she cried, turning and reaching toward himimploringly.
A monstrous wave curled up over the top of her. Lightning flashed. His scream tore the air. "No!"
Her eyes widened in horror as she turned and saw it coming. Gray waters engulfed her, sweeping her over the side of the rail. He saw a flash of her white nightgown, and those frightened eyes locking on him as she reached forhim—
Then she wasgone.
