Forty seven
*Freya*
The more I tried to move my body out of the water, the more it seemed to pull me in.
“Help!” I screamed, my voice cracking. “Someone help me! Grace! Anyone!” But deep down, I knew no one could hear me, I was utterly alone in this strange, terrifying place, far from any chance of rescue. I sagged back into the water, tears of fear and frustration stinging my eyes. I had to find a way out of this nightmare, but I had no idea how. All I could do was pray that somehow, I would wake up soon. I tried to slap myself to wake up but it didn’t work. I grabbed my hair and pulled hard but I didn’t feel any difference apart from the pain of dragging my hair.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp tug on my leg, and before I could even scream, the water swallowed me whole. The icy liquid filled my nose and mouth as I thrashed and fought against the invisible force dragging me under. My lungs burned, desperate for air, but there was none to be found. Only the murky depths of the stream and the pounding of my own frantic heartbeat in my ears.
“Freya! Freya, breathe!” Grace’s distant voice cut through the watery haze, urgent and pleading. “Please, Miss, you must breathe!” It was like she was in another realm entirely. How is this possible??
I tried to call out to her, but the water muffled my cries. How could she be here? Was this all just a dream after all? But the cold, the pain, the sheer terror felt far too real. I kicked and clawed at the water, fighting with every ounce of strength I had left. But it was no use. The more I struggled, the deeper I sank.
“I’m drowning” I realized with a sickening jolt. “I’m going to die here, in this nightmare world, and no one will know what happened to me.”
Black spots danced before my eyes as my oxygen-starved lungs screamed for air. I could still hear Grace’s voice, faint and faraway now, begging me to hold on. But I couldn’t. The icy water filled my chest, squeezing the last bit of life from my body. My limbs went slack, my vision fading to black.
I couldn’t move. I was in a state of nothingness. It was like my body was frozen underwater. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t move. Oh God!
The icy water enveloped me, the current kept tugging me further into the stream’s depths. I glanced around frantically, hoping to see something that would help me, I struggled to move, but my leg seemed tied to an unseen force. The silence pressed in, broken only by the gentle flow of the water.
That’s when I saw it-a shadow gliding towards me, surrounded by an ethereal glow. As it neared, I saw a familiar figure instead, and my heart stuttered. Mom?
The ghostly appearance of my mother drifted before me, her eyes shining with the love I had missed for so long. I wanted to reach out, but I was paralyzed in this underwater realm.
Then, her lips parted, and though no sound penetrated the water, I felt her words resound through my soul. “You are the key…”
Her bright eyes locked with mine as she mouthed the words again, “You are the key to everything.” What did she mean by this? I was extremely confused. I was the key to what?
Though my body was frozen, my mind raced, desperate to understand the meaning behind her cryptic message. but before I could form a coherent thought, her form began to fade. No! Mom!
Panic gripped me, and I fought against the invisible bonds, thrashing with every ounce of strength I had. I couldn’t lose her, not again-not when she held the answers I so desperately craved.
As if sensing my anguish, her gaze pierced through me one last time as she brought up her hand and touched my face softly. “You are the key,” she repeated, her words echoing through the depths of my being.
And just like that, she vanished, leaving me alone in the inky blackness of the water.
Suddenly, I felt my limbs begin to move and the air socket in my lungs opening. I kicked with all my might, swimming my way towards the faint light of the river’s surface. The water parted before me, no longer a suffocating force.
With a final burst of energy, I broke through the surface, gasping for air-
My eyes flew open, I noticed the familiar sight of my bedchambers. But something was different-a solid warmth enveloped me, strong arms cradling me against a broad chest.
I jerked in surprise, blinking rapidly as the fog of my dream dissipated, only to find myself face-to-face with Rafe. His rugged features were etched with concern, brows furrowed as he studied me intently.
Heat flooded my cheeks as the realization of our intimate position sank in. “Wh-What are you doing?” I stammered, trying in vain to disentangle myself from his iron grip.
Rafe’s jaw tightened, and he tightened his hold, effortlessly trapping me against him. “Your maids were distraught,” he rumbled, his voice a low, authoritative baritone that sent a shiver down my spine. “They couldn’t wake you from whatever trance had taken hold.”
Despite my embarrassment, a pang of longing tugged at my heart. I had missed him, his presence-even though I knew I shouldn’t Unconsciously, my gaze trailed the sharp lines of his chiseled jaw, the intensity smoldering in his eyes. His lips. I had the strongest urge to kiss him right there.
“Ahem..” I jumped in surprise and turned to Grace who had been watching the whole thing. “Miss, are you alright? I was so worried”
“Um.. Yes I’m… fine” I stuttered.
Rafe’s expression softened slightly, and he brushed a stray tendril of hair from my damp brow. “I’ll take you to my chambers,” he murmured, silencing my protests with a look that brooked no argument. “Where I can keep a better watch over you.”
A flutter of anticipation stirred through me, mingling with nervousness. Part of me wanted to remain in the safety of his embrace, to feel the familiarity of his touch. But the rest of me was scared of what it might cost-I didn’t want to be heartbroken by him again. I knew he was not mine and would probably never be mine.
“I.. I think it would be better if I stayed in my room..” I began.
“I agree with his majesty, my lady” Grace imputed, her face lighting up as she looked between the two of us. “I think you will be safer with him than with us.” I glared at her. She was supposed to be on my side here!
“But…”
“No buts…. I’ll let you go when I know you’re alright.”
Before I could say anything else, Rafe lifted me up in arms as if I weighed nothing and walked out of my room, leaving my maids squealing excitedly behind us.
****