Chapter 8-2
587 Words
The nothingness happened again. Though at least this time she was ready for it. Almost. The painful tug in her stomach didn’t happen this time either, which confirmed that they’d been pulled out of the Staran early last time. Or at least, it did in Macey’s mind; Cam and Flint may end up feeling different.
She looked around, surprised to find herself standing inside what appeared to be half a bubble surrounded by water. She shuddered. It felt unnatural, she shouldn’t be in human form while surrounded by water. How was she supposed to breathe? Or swim?
Okay, she knew how she’d swim, she was just as capable of swimming in human form as she was when a full kelpie, but that wasn’t the point.
“I don’t like this,” Flint murmured from behind her, and she could sense his uneasiness. She let go of the hand of the blue prince and turned to meet his worried eyes. His fire seemed dimmer than before and she wondered why. Until she began cursing herself, that was. How hadn’t she realised that being underwater, even if it was in a bubble of air, would be uncomfortable for someone whose whole body was filled with fire?
Instead of saying anything, she slipped her hand into Flint’s and squeezed. He returned the gesture, a weak smile flitting over his face.
“I thought you floated on the top of the water?” Cam asked shortly after arriving himself, with Jared and his na fir ghorma.
We used to, but now the humans are too many.
“Ah.”
It is safer to live beneath the seas and surface only at night.
“For you maybe,” Flint muttered darkly.
You’re perfectly safe Flame-Man. Nothing has broken through our dome since we created it.
“Why do you even have a dome?” Macey asked, still slightly in awe of her surroundings. She looked up, watching as marine life went on above the dome. A shadow passed overhead, swinging its tail from side to side in a graceful movement. Well, she never thought she’d see a shark swimming above her head. Or at least, not one that wasn’t in an aquarium. She shivered slightly, wondering what else was real, and suddenly feeling like she was a sheltered loch kelpie. No wonder her people traditionally went on quests, there was so much more to life than their one loch.
We need air as well as water. Our ancestors discovered this way of getting both.
“But I don’t feel wet,” Jared said, stepping up behind Macey and stroking her back gently. If he carried on doing that, then she certainly would be.
The air is filled with what we need. The salt and the essence. It gives us what we need while still allowing us to breathe.
“I’m so reassured.”
“Flint!” Macey scolded, mortified by his sarcasm. They were guests. Instead, the na fir ghorma Prince seemed to chuckle, his shoulders lifting up and down as he did, but no real sound coming out, nor did it appear in his mind.
I feel the same on land Flame-Man. But I promise you are safe.
“Thank you,” Macey answered hastily, before Flint or one of her other men spoke without thinking and ruined a good thing.
We’ll be having a feast in your honour this evening, I’ll have some clothing sent to your room.
“Room?” Macey squeaked, causing Flint to squeeze her hand this time, and Jared to press his hand more firmly against her back.
Yes, room. You are the Wardens, correct?
“I...yes,” she answered, realising that denying it wouldn’t do them much good right at this moment.
Then I will take you to your room.
- Writer
