Page 85 of Ravenous

He kicked. Fingers grazed hair, slipped, then caught. He fisted the sodden length and hauled her in.

The river seized them both, dragging them toward the lip. He could let her go and survive.

No.

He fed his rage, and power flooded his limbs as he kicked, clawing inches. A boot skimmed rock. He lunged, slammed his free hand into the ice shelf. Again. Again—until a jagged channel opened. He dragged them through and hauled her onto stone.

No breath. Fighting to tamp down his rage, he sealed his mouth over hers and pushed his exhalations into quiet lungs. Another breath. Another.

Her heart lay silent under his palm.

Have I lost her?He rose to start compressions, but her body convulsed. Relief sailed through him when her heart stuttered back to life.

She rolled to her side and heaved water, coughing, shaking.

Only then did he sink back, the last of the Berserker heat draining into fury. They were feet from the falls!

She swiped her sleeve over her blue lips and gingerly sat up. “Th-that was close. Y-you saved me. Thank—”

“Who were you meeting?” he grated.

She blinked at him. “Meeting?” Her confusion looked real. “I-I was leaving Ravinelun.”

The bread backed her story. “When did you learn the ravines?”

“Half an hour ago?”

“How?”

“Necessity.”

“You gave no thought to the dangers of leaving?”

She sputtered, “You n-never told me bears would attack!”

“They’re usually farther out.” He stabbed his fingers through his icy hair. “You could’ve been killed, just months before you’re fully immortal.”

“I-I want you to have your old life! And I want a life too.” Her voice shook. “This isn’t fair to either of us.”

But it had been royally decreed. If Yrsa learned she’d fled…

Another shudder rocked Emilia. She could still die of cold. The bear might return. Fighting his post-rage exhaustion, he levered himself to his feet, swept her up, and ran. In his arms, she stiffened at the nearness.

“Easy.” By the time he reached the ravines, the tension had left her body, and her lids had closed. His panic returned, giving his numbed legs speed. In the next corridor, he met Torben’s wild stare.

“What in the hells, Arctos?”

“Thank you, cousin. I have all in hand.”

“The vampire disobeyed an order,” Torben said low. “Your beloved regent will rage. And it looks like you might actually give a damn about this one’s fate now.”

Arctos muttered, “Tell the sentry and anyone who asks that Emilia took some air over a…jealous impulse. And hide her bag.” Lies now? For a vampire.

Torben nodded and hurried away.

In his den, Arctos laid her on the bearskin before the fire. She didn’t wake. He fed logs until heat licked the room, then fetched a blanket. He stripped off her boots, yanked free her pants.

She blinked groggily, uncomprehending. When he reached for her shirt, she came back to herself. “I can do it.” Her fingers fumbled and failed.