Chapter 350

“Just for the record, I won the race,” Bridget said, from the peripheral of the small crowd gathered around me.

Nicholas was still holding me, with Veronica, Jessica, and Elva close by. Everyone, it seemed, was worried about me – all except Bridget, who said again, “Did you record my finish? Did you see it?”

I ignored her, and focused instead on the closeness of Nicholas. His warmth. The strength of his arms around me, ever-protecting me. His scent, dimmed slightly by the salt water clinging to his skin and his hair.

Why was he wet? He wasn’t in the race.

It took me a long moment to realize that my vision of him in the water wasn’t a dream. He had truly been there. I didn’t understand how, but I knew, deep in my heart, that he was the one who stopped Ronan from killing me. And Veronica, who had so valiantly come to my rescue as well.

I was eternally to them both.

I trembled, remembering the cold depths of the ocean.

I’d never been afraid of the dark or the cold or of water, but Ronan had instilled fear into me, the likes of which was unfortunately becoming so familiar. I felt the same fear when I face my sister with her ready to kill me, or when Elva had been so sick, we didn’t know if she would recover.

“Nick,” I whispered, for only him to hear.

“I have you,” he whispered in reply. “You are safe.”

I closed my eyes, trying to gather strength from his presence and his words. Yes, I could believe him, because he was here. He was with me, and he would help protect me.

I had done well on my own, but I didn’t need to do it all by myself any longer. Nicholas was my knight in shining armor. He wouldn’t let anyone like Ronan do me harm.

Eventually, as I grew in strength and conviction, I began to take notice to the somewhat compromising way Nicholas and I were holding onto each other, and the way the cameras were closing in all around us.

“The cameras…” I whispered to Nicholas, hoping he would understand. We needed to put more space between us, lest everyone in the kingdom discover what we are.

“Let them see,” Nicholas whispered in reply. “I don’t care.”

That was the adrenaline talking, I knew. If he were calm, he would know that our closeness could be a stain on his reputation. He had reasons for the game we played, where we pretended not to mean as much to each other as we really did.

“Nicholas,” I said, more firmly.

Slowly, he loosened his hold on me and leaned back.

Immediately I regretted suggesting he should. I was so cold without him. On reflex, I reached out and clutched his arm. We could have space between us, but I wanted him near me. I needed him there.

I looked at the others around me. Veronica was holding Elva, both looking at me with concern. Jessica was worrying her hands together. Julian came running up to the group, out of breath. He knelt in the sand on the other side of me and placed his hand on my shoulder.

Our eyes met. His held a question. I nodded in answer, and he sighed in relief.

Even Nathan seemed concerned. Where usually he’d give Bridget attention or focus on turning the cameras away from Nicholas’s and my affection for each other. This time, he looked over me as if searching for physical damage. I didn’t even think he liked me.

He did eventually return to himself and turn the cameras away. When they were off, he asked me directly, “What happened?”

Nicholas answered, “Prince Ronan.”

That was enough to understand.

Nathan’s face turned grim. “We should call the ambassador.”

“I’ll do it,” Nicholas said at once. He glanced at me.

“I’m okay,” I said, but Nicholas still heisitated. We both knew Prince Ronan was close by still, but I highly doubted the merfolk prince would dare come assure to attack me in front of all of these people. He likely had planned to make my death look like an accidental drowning, not a murder.

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Julian said, holding his brother’s gaze.

“Thanks,” Nicholas said. He placed his hand over mine on his arm, then, gently, pulled my hand away from him. “I’ll be back as soon as I’m able.”

I could see the determination burning in his eyes. I didn’t want him to go but I knew he wanted to see this through for himself. He didn’t trust anyone else, except maybe Julian, but Julian hadn’t seen what Nicholas had seen. Nicholas needed to tell the ambassador all of it.

I lowered my hand down to my lap.

Nicholas stood up slowly, like he had to physically force himself to leave me. He held my gaze for as long as he could, before turning and following Nathan toward the house.

Bridget rushed after him. “Nicholas! Did you see my win?”

Nicholas didn’t reply and all three disappeared into the mansion.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Jessica said. She sighed. “I need a drink.” She turned toward the mansion too and started walking toward the deck.

“Prince Ronan?” Julian asked. Glancing sideways at Elva, he didn’t dare say more.

“Pulled me down,” I said, and refused to elaborate for the same reason. Instead, I looked at Veronica. “Thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think Nicholas would have made it in time.”

A smile pulled at the corners of Veronica’s mouth. “I did what I set out to do. Keep you alive was the goal.”

“Mission accomplished,” Julian said. He gave Veronica an appreciate smile, coupled with a soft, warm look.

“She teleported Ronan away from me,” I said.

Julian’s pride grew brighter. “Nicely done. A high leap from fruit to moving people.”

Veronica lowered her head, appearing somewhat bashful, though she didn’t blush. “No choice in the moment. I’m just glad it worked.”

“Me too,” Julian said.

“Me three,” I agreed.

“Well, you should have seen Nicholas,” Julian said, returning his attention to me. “The minute your head dipped below water, his shirt came off and he was running forward at a full-clip. I’m surprised he didn’t rage shift, honestly.”

“He probably swims better as a human,” Veronica said. “He would have done anything to get to Piper quicker. And I’m glad he did. A few seconds later…” She didn’t finish that thought because Elva began to cry. “Oh. Elva, I’m sorry.”

“Mommy…” Elva sniffed.

Veronica lowered Elva down to the ground and she rushed into my arms, burrowing herself against me.

Her tears flood. Her loud sobs made her words choppy and difficult to understand. “You… almost… drown… died…”

I held her to me and gently patted her back. “I’m okay, honey. I’m okay now.”

I rocked her in my arms, soothing her with whispered words. How scary it must have been for such a small girl to almost lose her mother.

Eventually, she cried herself to sleep.

Julian and Veronica stayed nearby the entire time. With Elva asleep, their whispered words grew louder to include me.

“But if your family planned this –” Veronica started.

“That asshole prince was already angry on his own,” Julian said.

“But would he have been able to find this island without help? And how would he have guessed the perfect time to snatch Piper?” Veronica shook her head. “It could be coincidence.”

“Listen,” Julian said, and I could see the spark of anger ignite within him. It was not directed at Veronica, but at someone else, far away. “If my parents had anything to do with it, I’m going to find out.”