Page 167 of Lady of the Drowned Empire

“Thank the Gods,” he cried.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn’t. I was too cold. I was shivering everywhere, and it was hard to move. My muscles felt like they’d frozen under the water.

“Lyr, I’ve got you,” Rhyan said, still sounding worried. “I need to get you warm,” he said quickly, his accent heavy and blurring his words together. “I took you to the cave, the good one. The one with the hot springs. You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.”

I nodded slowly, only then noticing that there was water behind me. Steam rose from the surface of the spring, and the scent of salt permeated the air.

My armor had already been discarded, both Asherah’s chest plate and my Bamarian metal. Now Rhyan was frantically pulling off my boots, socks, belt, and pants. Layer after layer, all soaking wet, freezing, and stuck painfully to my body. My legs were bright red, itching and burning, as if they were on fire and freezing at the same time. My tunic came off, then my shirts, until I was in nothing but my underwear, my teeth chattering.

“I’m sorry,” Rhyan said. “Lyr, I’m sorry. I know you don’t like this, but we have to. Okay? You’re doing so good, so good.” His breathing was heavy, uneven, his voice strained.

I closed my eyes, feeling him sit my body up then ease my legs into the water.

I hissed at the contact.

“I know it hurts. It’s going to feel better soon,” he said urgently.

I started leaning back, too weak to hold myself up, but Rhyan’s hand was on my spine immediately, propping me upright, keeping me supported.

From the corner of my eye, I saw his soaking wet clothes hit the ground, piled beside all of his layers of armor, his weapons, and boots.

He’d been under the water, too. He’d frozen, too, to get me out. He slid next to me on the edge, the gryphon tattoo on his back a deeper black than I’d ever seen it against the slightly blue tinge of his skin, skin that was always shades paler than mine.

I caught sight of the curve of his ass, only realizing then he was naked before he plunged into the water, hissing and cursing under his breath.

He waded toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’ve got you. I’m going to take the rest off. Okay?” One arm remained around me, holding me up, as he untied my shift.

I stiffened, stopping him with my hand, my nails digging into his forearm.

“Lyr…I’m sorry. We need to get you warm. You need to take this off.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, the pain so bad. I knew he was right.

“Okay,” I said, my breath heavy, and labored.

Rhyan nodded, and threw the material into the pile of soaking clothes. Then his hand lowered, his fingers finding the ties of my underwear. “This, too. Just to get warm.”

I sucked in a breath as I felt the material loosen from me and a slight jolt of panic in my chest. But Rhyan’s eyes were on mine the whole time as he tugged the material away from me, lifting me slightly to get it free. The cloth vanished. He pulled me into the water.

“Fuck,” I yelled, pins and needles stabbing every inch of my body.

He laughed in relief, tightening his hold on me. “Worst hot spring ever.” There were tears in his eyes, and I knew they were from my outburst. If I was well enough to curse that loudly, then I was strong enough to survive.

But I was still so tired and having trouble keeping my eyes open.

“Need to get more of our bodies under,” he said, pulling me down with him.

The heated water pricked at my stomach and ribcage until I was submerged to my neck. Rhyan was squatting below the surface and brought me closer, pulling my body against his. He reached around me, careful to keep only my chest against his. But it wasn’t enough. I needed more warmth. My teeth were still chattering.

Suddenly his hand wrapped around my ass, pulling against his stomach. My legs wrapped instinctively around his torso, and I could tell, he was purposely keeping me lifted, well above his waist. Making sure I felt safe now that he was also naked.

My chest heaved. Breathing was getting easier, and I could feel that my body was thawing. Wrapping my entire body around him was exactly what I’d needed, but I still wanted to close my eyes.

His arms ran up and down my back, his eyes watching me carefully as he held me.

“Talk to me, Lyr,” he said.

I buried my face against his neck.