Page 125 of The King of Koraha
“He’s to blame for you as well.”
“I…” He gave her a rueful grin.
“If we survive this, that means the goddess has forgiven us foreverything. Clean slate. Agreed?”
“Yes.” He hesitated. “And if we don’t?”
“Then the goddess will decide our fate. But don’t give up. Fight hard until the very end.”
“That should be our motto,” he said.
A laugh surprised her. “Done.”
The trol lantern hissed and sputtered before it popped and died. The darkness was instant. Even though she understood why the lantern went out, it felt like a sign from the goddess. Not a good one. Her fear doubled and she clung to Rendor. She’d rather die on the surface in the sunlight. Not drowned in the darkness.
When the water circled her neck, Rendor adjusted so both their heads were touching the ceiling. He twined his fingers in hers. There was nothing left to say. He knew how much she loved him, and his love pumped in her heart.
Panic filled her as the water rose. She tilted her head back and pressed her nose to the ceiling, scraping it on the rough stone. Then she filled her lungs with as much air as she could and held it.
Water engulfed her. She held on to Rendor’s hands and squeezed her eyes shut. Strange sloshing noises sounded inside her head right between her ears. The cold seeped into her body. Water filled her nose and it…lifted her. Sort of. She seemed weightless, as if she floated with the velblouds.
Pressure built in her throat. Soon her lungs ached with the effort to hold in the air.
The throb in her ribs turned into a burning sensation. The need to breathe pushed on her chest. How long had the King said a person could last underwater? An angle? Two? Would she pass out or would she be forced to inhale the water? Would that hurt?
Unable to stand the pressure any longer, she let some air escape. The bubbles cleared her nostrils of water. They tickled her cheeks as they gurgled. Rendor squeezed her hands, letting her know he was still fighting. She signaled him back.
Her heart beat extra hard as if trying to get her lungs to cooperate.Come on, come on, it urged.What’s wrong with you?
Eventually all her air leaked out and now her body demanded more. The desire to inhale increased twofold with every frantic pulse of her heart. But to breathe in the water would drown her. Right? An old memory of the prior Heliacal Priestess of Zirdai ordering her deacons to drown Shyla rose unbidden. She had given Shyla holy water to make her talk and Rendor had rescued her…
She squeezed Rendor’s hand. If she could withstand the heat at apex, then she could endure a few more angles. Except he didn’t signal back. In fact, his fingers no longer curled around her hand. A scream built in her throat, except she had no breath to propel it out of her mouth. He should have lasted longer than her. He had bigger lungs!
The desire to fight to the bitter end leaked from her. All she needed was to inhale to join Rendor.
About to give up, she paused as a strange vibration shot through her. Not sure if it was a sound or a wave, she waited. Another weird pulse rumbled and she opened her eyes without thinking. A bright white glow shone above her. Then she was falling.
Shyla barely held on to consciousness as a roaring filled her ears. The light moved away, but she was too weak to protest. When her back hit something solid, she gasped. Water rushed into her mouth and throat. She gagged and choked. Then the water suddenly disappeared. Except her throat still spasmed—this time trying to suck in air. Nearby, Rendor’s deep cough sounded like the sweetest song.
When her body finally relaxed, she wilted on the floor next to Rendor, sopping wet, freezing cold, but not caring because air flowed into and out of her lungs. She’d never take it for granted again.
“What in the seven hells are you two doing here?” the King demanded. He stood on the steps glaring down at them. Hakana hovered next to his right elbow and four guards loomed behind him.
“Long story,” she rasped.
“Does Najib know you’re here?” he asked.
“Yes and no.” Shyla struggled to a sitting position. “Can we discuss this someplace private?” And dry. And warm.
“No. Explain it here. I might need to bring back the water to finish the job.” Anger punctuated each word as he made his threat very clear.
Shyla explained what happened with Xerxes, why they were at the castle, and about Najib betraying them.
“No,” the King said, shaking his head. “Not Najib. He’s loyal. Been loyal to me myentirelife.”
“The pendants are powerful. Xerxes is powerful. Najib has no choice.”
“Why didn’t you pick up on this when you first arrived?” he demanded.
