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T he ocean sucked the warmth from Vahly’s bones as she dove. Her eyes burned, unused to the salt.

Arc swam down beside her and moved his hands in and out near his ribs, telling her to try breathing. He was obviously breathing just fine, and his eyes were wide and clear. His magic swirled around his head in blurred ribbons of sun and shadow.

Heart sputtering, Vahly tried to inhale through her nose, but she couldn’t make herself do it. It felt like suicide to breathe under water even though she knew Arc’s magic would most likely work. Her body simply refused to obey her.

Arc swam close. I’m right here, he said into her mind. If it goes wrong, I will bring you to the surface.

She leaned into the comfort of his support and, shuddering, forced herself to inhale slowly.

Air flowed into her nostrils and lungs as if she were still above the waves.

Her mouth fell open. “It worked!”

Arc smiled. Try again .

More confident now, she inhaled deeply. The air bit at her throat and chest, and she made a face at Arc.

Not as fresh that time? he asked telepathically.

She shook her head and held up a finger. One more try.

With a short inhale, the water began to sneak in. Pulse rocketing, Vahly tried to cough, but choked on water. Heat flared inside her chest as Arc’s arm circled her from behind.

Kicking powerfully through the water, Arc pulled her above the surface, where the waves slapped Vahly’s face. Rocks scraped against her legs, cutting her a thousand times before they reached the shallow water. Once there, on the rocks, Arc helped her get her feet under her.

Vahly’s throat was on fire, her eyes not doing much better. Stomach muscles clenching, she coughed, desperate to breathe normally.

Arc twisted healing magic around her like a cloak, its warmth and tingle easing her lungs and eyes. At last, her body was free of ocean water.

“Stones and Blackwater.” Salt puckered her tongue, and her throat scratched with every word. “I can’t explore the ruins like this.”

Arc helped her to the shore where Nix stood clasping her hands.

“I told you this was a bad idea,” Nix snapped as she helped Vahly sit on the warm ground.

Overhead, thunder rolled, and the sun disappeared behind a bank of approaching clouds.

Arc raised his air magic, weaving dark and light. He sent a breeze whisking over Vahly like a thousand feathers, drying her clothing for the most part and tossing her hair around. He did the same for himself, then they put their clothing and weapons on.

Arc paced back and forth, his thumb tapping his lower lip and his eyes squinted in thought. “You need some elven blood to make the air magic work. How can we manage that?”

“Are you asking for suggestions?” Vahly coughed as she braided her salt-stiff hair. “Or is this conversation of yours between you and you?”

Nix wiggled a talon. “I can give you a small cut if need be, Arcturus.”

He stopped pacing and stared, a grin spreading over his sharp features.

“Why is he smiling about a possible slicing and dicing from a dragon?” Vahly asked Nix.

Nix snorted. “Perhaps the water was spelled, and it boggled his brains.”

Arc ignored their teasing. “While we plot, why don’t we arrange a camp that’s not easily detected?”

Puzzled at what plans he might be concocting in that head of his, Vahly agreed, and the three set off.