The water was cool and refreshing at first. I kicked my legs, swung my forearms, willing them to swing faster. My fatigued limbs ached in protest, but they did as they were told. I hardly noticed my bursting lungs, nor the way my head threatened to explode. I was here for one thing and one thing only: to save Tem.


    I set my eyes on Tem, looking so peaceful in the crystal water. He looked as wonderful as I remembered him - ruffled brown hair, an omnipresent smile, eyelashes that every girl would die for.


    I was halfway to him when I felt pins pricking my cheeks. I ignored it, knowing brushing at them would be futile and a waste of time. The pins grew in number; soon, my whole face was on fire.


    The fiery pins travelled down my body. I was three-quarters of the way when my whole body felt engulfed in fire. I gave a cry of pain. It was released in a stream of bubbles that blocked my vision. Tem''s face was blotted out by the squirming bubbles. I waved them away, blinking my burning eyes.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    There he was.


    I reached out, and my fingers touched his hair. I kicked once, twice, and I touched his shoulders.


    I never thought I''d touch him again.


    I crawled down his body until I reached his leg. He wore thick leather boots, his left one well and firmly stuck under a ragged rock. I shifted it, nudged it, and finally it came free.


    Tem was free.


    My entire body was on fire, but the sight of Tem''s leg coming free gave me a last surge of energy. I grabbed his arm, positioned myself upright, and kicked off the riverbed.


    The surface sparkled with a brilliant orange hue. My limbs felt ready to fall off; my eyes felt doused with acid. Tem''s soul, light as a feather, did not slow my progress to the surface.


    Suddenly I felt like the little five year old I was, thrashing in the icy water, arms outreached, except this time Tem was in the water with me. Yet I did not feel the same fear I did twelve years ago, because I knew Tem was going to be safe, and that was all that mattered.


    I didn''t make it to the surface. The last thing I saw was the hazy outline of Keenan''s face above water. His hands reached for me, and I saw the tips of his fingers enter the water.


    Then my vision clouded, my lungs collapsed, and everything went dark.