Page 13

13

Watch Your Step

*Jalen*

W e reached the crossing just as the sun set. I bit back a frown as I studied Ren in the moonlight. Luckily, with all three moons in the sky, it wasn’t hard to make out her features.

The flush on her cheeks worried me. Was she sick and becoming feverish? Or was it only a problem with her odd skinsuit, like she claimed?

Or it could be something else entirely…

Stop fooling yourself, Jalen. That’s not the reason. I forced the thought aside. We had the crossing to worry about now. That required all my concentration.

“Huh, looks like you weren’t kidding about the current calming with the moons out.” Ren leaned over the riverbank, scanning the slowed current with a furrowed brow.

“Are you a strong swimmer?”

She bit her lip. “Not really. I can keep myself afloat in a pool, but there wasn’t much opportunity to swim where I grew up.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem as long as we cross quickly. The water is only about thigh deep here, so we can walk. And you can hang on to me if you need help.” I thrust out a hand, intending to lead her across, but she made no move to take it.

Instead, Ren scowled at my fingers like they were snakes. “I’ll be fine on my own.”

Only, she might not be… I swallowed the urge to insist she take my hand. It was clear she wanted no part of that. But I wouldn’t feel comfortable knowing she could fall and be washed away at any moment.

“Hold on.” I dug into my pack and pulled out a short length of rope. I handed one end to Ren and tied the other end around my waist. “Tie that around you. Just in case.”

She secured the rope around her waist. “I’m ready.”

“Good.” I grinned. “Let’s cool off, shall we?”

Ren blew out a deep breath. “Yep. Let’s do it.” She sighed deeply as she took her first step into the river. “Oh, that’s refreshing.”

“Watch your step. Some of the rocks are slippery.”

I led the way, pausing every few steps to check Ren followed without issue. The rope made it impossible for me to get too far ahead, not that I wanted to. Within a few moments, the water rose, drenching my legs up to mid-thigh. “You doing okay?”

“Yeah. It’s not too bad.”

We walked in silence with the river’s melody playing in our ears. If I hadn’t been hyperaware of the danger waiting for us if we took a tumble and got washed downstream, it would’ve been quite pleasant.

I hadn’t told Ren, but if we’d turned in the opposite direction when we reached the river, we’d have eventually encountered the biggest waterfall in all of Dionus. Occasionally, an unlucky animal tumbled off the edge, caught in the unyielding current. They never survived, either from the drop itself or from the hard landing on the sharp rocks littering the waters beneath the falls.

My stomach bottomed out as an unwanted image invaded my mind. Ren taking a spill and disappearing under the water. The rope snapping. I’d swim after her, but with the current so strong…

No. I couldn’t think like that.

Looking back, I forced a smile. “You still good?”

“I’m fine.”

Even so, my hands clenched warily around the rope. We’d made it about halfway, but there was still a long stretch to cross.

The reflection of three bright orbs bounced along the racing water. I dragged in a calming breath. Harlx’s boon, be with us.

No sooner had the silent prayer filled my head than a sharp tug snagged the rope. I whipped around in time to spot Ren going under. Her wide eyes met mine before the dark water swallowed her.

I planted my feet in place, knowing what would come next. As the current caught her, the rope jerked my waist, seeking to knock me over. If I went down, then all was lost. I was a strong swimmer, but not so strong that I could save us both in the short time we’d have before reaching the falls.

Heart pounding, I leaned back and wrapped both hands over the rope. Then I began pulling, desperate to reel Ren closer.

How long can Terrans hold their breath?

The wayward thought made my stomach clench. She flailed underwater, her head still completely submerged. I had to yank her out. Fast.

Seconds that passed like years ticked by as I pulled the rope over and over. Finally, she surfaced with a gasp. I bent, lifting her under the arms. “Ren? Are you okay?”

Chest heaving, she clung to me, soaking my skin and clothes. I didn’t complain. Not while fear still raced through my blood, searing me with its molten fire.

I could’ve lost her. Yes, I barely knew her. But for some reason, that felt like it would be the ultimate loss.

After a few shaky breaths, she replied hoarsely, “I’m okay. Thank you for saving me.” She tipped her face up, and my heart stuttered as I met her gaze in the moonlight.

“You’re certain you’re all right?” Though the last thing I wanted was to pull away, I forced myself to. I scanned her carefully. “Nothing hurts?”

She shook her head, sending specks of water flying off her sodden hair. “No. I might have a bruise or two come morning, but I—” She gasped. “Oh my god! My bag. It’s gone!”

“I’m sorry.” I glanced up and down the river, carefully eyeing the banks, but spotted no sign of it. “Guess it’s a good thing you already agreed to let me handle the meals.”

She grimaced. “I didn’t just lose those rations. My clothes were in there.” She covered her mouth with a hand. “And the map.”

I shot her a reassuring grin and tapped my temples. “Got the only map we need right here.” Except, that statement didn’t reassure her as much as I’d hoped it would.

“Great.”

I wished I could think of something more to say, but I had nothing. And time wasn’t exactly on our side. “You ready to finish crossing?” My gaze lifted nervously to the sky. Already, the largest moon was over halfway to its peak.

Ren nodded. “Yeah.”

I lifted my foot to take a step, and jolted as a wet hand slipped against mine. Ren gripped my fingers with a sheepish grin. “What? I don’t want to fall again.”

“No worries.” I squeezed her hand gently. “I don’t mind.”