Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 153795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 769(@200wpm)___ 615(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 153795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 769(@200wpm)___ 615(@250wpm)___ 513(@300wpm)
Thane and Rynthea plunge into the gooey water as the cries of the monster cease. The large head topples off and drops into the swamp, causing an even greater splash. The ground quakes when the body of the monster descends backward and slams down.
It’s gone…and so are Thane and Rynthea.
The atmosphere quiets. Water gurgles. My pulse thunders in my ears.
I step around the boulder, waiting with bated breath for them to resurface.
Algar joins me at my side, and our faces seem riddled with the same anxiety. I fear they might be dead. The seconds feel like hours as the swamp water conjures up slow, slimy bubbles.
And then a sharp, loud gasp breaks through the air. Thane has emerged, and right next to him is a massive gold bubble floating on the surface of the water. Rynthea is inside that bubble, and Thane grunts as he holds one hand out to keep her steady while swimming with his other arm to reach the nearest edge.
Algar and I rush over to assist. When Algar offers him a hand, Thane grips it tightly and is hauled out of the water.
As soon as he’s on land, Thane collapses, sucking in deep, rapid breaths. Rynthea is still in the gold bubble, floating on the surface, but the light is fading. Raising a weak hand, Thane grunts as he guides the bubble out of the water. Then his arm falls, the bubble dissolves, and Rynthea drops like a stone on the ground.
“Rynthea?” Algar hurries to her side, giving her a shake. “Are you all right?”
She doesn’t budge.
“The monster’s head landed on her.” Thane flips onto his back with his eyes shut. After a second or two, he sits up. Though he’s weak, he seems fine. He isn’t the one who needs me right now.
I rush to Rynthea’s side.
“Hey. Rynthea. Can you hear me?” When I get no response, I hover my ear above her nose. “She’s not breathing.”
I study her face. Her lips are tinged blue. I press my ears to her chest and listen for a heartbeat. It’s barely there, but there, nonetheless. I sit back on my heels and sigh with relief, glad she’s not dead. Yet.
I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to resuscitate a minotaur, but I have to try. I place my hands under her neck, which is thick with muscle, so tilting her head back to open her airway takes effort. I place my mouth over hers and give her several strong rescue breaths.
“Come on,” I whisper.
Nothing.
I press my hands firmly to her chest and start compressions. Over and over again, I push with all my might, but I’m not sure it’s enough, considering her size.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Algar asks.
I ignore him and give her a few more breaths, then place my hands over her sternum and pump again.
“Come on, Rynthea,” I rasp, my vision blurring with tears. This wouldn’t have happened if I’d listened to her and if I’d stayed on the middle path. If I’d used my head instead of my heart, she would be fine.
My arms tremble from the strain and exhaustion. Maybe I’m not strong enough. I’m just about to ask Algar to try compressions when she twitches. Then her chest expands and her eyes pop open.
Oh, thank Orvena.
I turn her head to the side, and water spills from her mouth. “Algar, help me,” I say, trying to roll her over. Algar joins, and we manage to get her onto her side. He shifts back just as she coughs and sputters, gagging up swamp water, chunks of weeds, and who knows what else.
“Orvena’s sake, Rynthea,” he mutters, staring at the mess she’s created.
I laugh with relief as I help her sit up. “Are you okay?”
After a few deep breaths and another bout of coughing, her eyes turn to mine, burning wild with confusion. “Did you just save me?”
I smile. “I did.”
“Where did you learn?”
“I was born in Ember Coast so…” I shrug. “Sort of mandatory to know this kind of thing when you live near the sea.”
Rynthea just stares at me. The longer she does, it feels like she’s seeing me as an entirely different person. Like I’m not just some simple, useless mortal. Before I know it, she’s locked her massive arms around me to collect me in a hug.
I giggle as her damp vest and hair press to my cheek.
“Thank you, Zaira.”
“You’re welcome. But I wouldn’t have been able to resuscitate you at all if Thane hadn’t brought you to shore.”
When I gesture to Thane, Rynthea peers over to where he’s still sitting with his legs spread wide and knuckles planted into the ground. He blinks with damp, feathery lashes.
“Thanks to you, too, I guess.” Rynthea stands up slowly.
“You guess?” He grunts as he hoists himself up, too.
She takes a beat. “I guess I appreciate you saving my life.” It looks like she wants to say more but thinks better of it, and Thane knows it. “I just mean…thanks for…helping me out and everything.” Her words are strained. Does she really not trust sorcerers that much? I can’t help thinking something must’ve happened in her past for her to feel so strongly against them.