Chapter 155

Voices, unfamiliar and unintelligible, filtered into Bastian's consciousness. He tried to open his eyes but found that everything was dark. He stretched his hands slowly and found them bound. Blinking a few more times he could tell—and smell—that he was wearing some sort of head covering.

He swallowed and felt that his throat was sore.

Where was Hydrangea? He wanted to call her name but it might lead to harm. His fingers began twitching as the desire to see or know if she was alright burned through him.

The voices lowered and he sensed that they knew he was awake. He strained his mind to concentrate but it refused and he found himself disoriented.

One of the unseen persons kicked him where he was on the ground and said something in a harsh tone. They repeated it and he felt he understood what they were asking.

He cleared his throat and opened his mouth, "I am the Sovereign of Cadarama-"

He was cut off by a blow to his ribs. He moved his elbow to cover the spot protectively and winced. A few more harsh words followed and Bastian could understand that they did not want him there. Where was Hydrangea? Had they been separated? Anxiety consumed him as he thought of what these Sun Followers could do to her.

He heard footsteps shuffle towards him and felt another violent hit to his stomach. The strikes continued and he did his best to defend himself but with his limbs tied and his vision covered, he was defenceless. He bore the pain but could feel darkness creeping up on him.

Darkness consumed him and he sent a silent plea to Samadur to keep his wife safe.

~~~~~~~~~~

Splash!

Hydrangea's eyes shot open and she inhaled only to feel water enter her lungs. Her arms began to flail wildly as she tried to gain control of her body's buoyancy and to obtain oxygen.

She coughed desperately as her head appeared out of the clear, warm water. Her eyes scanned her surroundings and she tried to make sense of what was happening and where she was. All she saw was rock and mossy vines.

She kicked her feet when she felt something brush past them. She frantically swam towards a small overhang on the rock walls. The moss provided enough comfort as she caught her breath.

She sat up when she felt she was able to and pulled her feet out of the warm water.

Looking up she saw the sky through the jungle leaves, the rain was still dripping through them. She hissed through her teeth when she felt her skin burning. Her arms were red and stinging. She blinked away the tears and tried to soothe her skin in the rain.

Her mind was still slow. She tried to sort through her chaotic memories of what had happened; digging for roots, drinking warm water, fighting with Bastian, her neck. Her hand flew to her neck and she inhaled sharply when she found a sore spot; her entire throat was sore.

She looked up again upon hearing voices. Her tired limbs crawled up onto a higher rock ledge that was hidden by vines. The voices got louder and she saw a door—that she hadn't before noticed—open just a few feet from her.

She gasped when she saw that they were hauling a very hurt Bastian in their hands. Without care they tossed him into the water.

"Bastian!" Something was wrong, "Bastian!" He wasn't moving.

Before his body could sink further into the warm, clear water she jumped in.

The sound was muffled as her head sunk below the surface. She managed to kick her legs and move her arms so that she began moving towards Bastian. She gasped his name and latched onto him. His overcoat was too heavy and she stripped him of it clumsily in the water. He was somehow staying afloat.

She hooked her elbows under his underarms and kicked as powerfully as she could. He was too heavy and she wasn't strong enough. She gasped in relief when the back of her neck hit the rock overhang.

Lifting one of her arms she tried to pull herself up onto it but Bastian began slipping away.

"No. No, no." Her eyes scanned around the cenote but found no help.

She looked down at Bastian in her arms, her legs kicking weakly. Their heads were barely staying above the warm water. The water clicked as it splashed gently on the curved walls.

Her heart pounded as her thoughts came to a decision. With shaking hands she let go of her husband.

Scrambling up onto the rock ledge she turned around, her skin feeling that sharp burning sensation but she grabbed him despite it.

Dragging him onto the rock she stared at him. He was soaked from head to toe and his brown skin was red like hers. She couldn't see his chest rising. Her breathing began to increase as she began to panic.

"Bastian. Bastian. Come on." She whined as she listened for a heartbeat. Hers stopped when she heard his had as well.

"No, no, no, no, no." She breathed shakily as she scanned his face frantically. He can't be dead. No.

Her mind flashed to when Brigitte had nearly drowned. Rowan had told her that Dimitri had somehow breathed life back into her. With a kiss.

Without a second thought she placed her lips on his and her hand instinctively flew to pinch his nose closed. She breathed into his mouth and felt his body jerk. He inhaled and she reared back and felt tears spring to her eyes as she saw him come back to life.

He coughed out mouthfuls of water and she watched with a joyful smile on her face.

"Hydrangea…" He whispered, his voice hoarse. His eyes were slit open and she could see him watching her.

"Bastian." She stroked his wet hair and saw his lips twitch up in a small smile.

Slowly, she leaned her head down and felt their noses touch. Her eyes closed and she moved to place her lips on his. Her hands that were on his chest moved to the back of his neck, gently, and held him as she carefully began kissing him deeper. He was letting her control the kiss.

Her heart fluttered when she heard him hum and felt his chest beneath hers vibrate. They kissed for what felt like forever. Both forgot about their aching, sore bodies as they were lost in a world all to themselves.