Chapter 15

15

I regained consciousness—shivering, wet, cold, scared—inside a damp cave lit in a yellow and green glow that appeared to emanate from the walls. It came from some kind of moss that I’d never seen before, unfamiliar, like the place I found myself.

Where am I? Last thing I remembered I was sinking in the hotel pool because something dragged me under. At least I hadn’t drowned. At the same time, my current situation appeared bleak. Sorry, but I couldn’t recall a single story where waking up in a cave boded well.

I rose and wrapped my arms around my upper body as if that would stop the shaking. It didn’t. The damp swimsuit clung to my clammy body, and I didn’t see anything to dry or wrap myself in.

The cave had a high ceiling, at least eight or nine feet, and spanned just as wide. The only thing other than me? Bones. All kinds of bones. Some the thin skeletons of fish, but the human skull? That had me gulping.

The stone cavern had a single opening, and I hesitated before poking my head out, a quick peek, where I readied to duck back in case something took a swipe. In that brief glimpse, I saw another cave, a much larger one, lit by the same glowing moss but also gelatinous bulbs that pulsed on the walls and on the ceiling that arched high overhead. Seeing no signs of danger, I stepped into the larger space, which held a pool of water, ringed by pale stone, the surface of it smooth, unlike the walls. Water dripped from overhead, the occasional droplets disturbing the still surface of a small, clear blue lake.

I chose to walk the perimeter of the place, looking for any kind of clue as to my location or captor. I also kept an eye out for a way to escape. It took me doing an entire circuit before I realized there didn’t appear to be any exit. No holes large enough for me to squeeze through. No cracks I could slip in sideways. Nothing to indicate how I’d even arrived, which led my gaze to the lake. Whatever kidnapped me must have dragged me via an underwater tunnel and trapped me here. But why?

Food, most likely. I couldn’t forget the bones in the other room. It spurred my urgency to leave before whatever lived here chose to return. Could I escape via the lake? I knelt by its edge and stared into the clear water. I could see the channel dropped straight down, so far I couldn’t see any signs of a tunnel. Deep enough that I wouldn’t stand a chance with a single breath, not with my only adequate swimming skills.

I plopped my butt on the hard stone and sighed. “Fairy godmother, if you can hear me, now might be a good time for you to grant me a wish.”

Nothing stirred the air; however, the water did ripple. Ominous, hence why I scuttled away until my back hit the wall.

A head emerged from the lake first, the hair long and dark green, framing a face of a paler shade. A woman rose from the water, beautiful if not quite human, with smooth features, a flattened nose, lips full and dark, with eyes of pure black. Despite never having met one, I recognized what I faced.

A Nixie!

She leaned her forearms on the edge of the lake and cocked her head. “You are smaller than I would have expected. Older too. Not many prime childbearing years left on you and terrible hips.”

My mouth rounded. “Excuse me?”

“No, you are not excused. You are not what I would have chosen at all.”

Rather than focus on her comments thus far, I blurted out, “Who are you? Why did you abduct me?”

“I am Nicola, and I took you because I wanted to meet the female who stole my son.”

I blinked. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand. I haven’t stolen anyone.”

“Don’t lie. His scent is all over you.” Her lip curled.

She could only mean Levi, and if she recognized the smell of him, then she could only be… “You’re the Nixie who kept him prisoner!”

“He lived with me, yes.” Her lips pursed. “And now he does not. It’s been a while since he’s visited.”

“Why would he visit his captor?”

“Hardly his captor. His father gave him over freely.”

“But you wouldn’t let him go.”

She shrugged. “Those were the terms set out. It is not in my power to break them.”

“I’ve made no bargain with you. Why have you taken me?”

“Because I want to know if you’re worthy of my son.”

“Isn’t that up to Levi?” I blurted out.

“I guess we will see how much value he places in you shortly. He’ll know by now that you’re gone. Do you think he will care?”

I wanted to scream yes, but at the same time, I couldn’t be sure. He was a cold-blooded killer. A man who showed little to no remorse when he had to do bad things. Would he dare confront the Nixie who’d kept him captive for me? Or would he fear she’d take him prisoner again? She kept calling him son, meaning she thought she had some sort of claim.

“How’s Levi supposed to even know I’m here with you?” I countered. “Not to mention, how is it any of your business if he cares for me or not?”

“Because he is the son I couldn’t have, the child I raised, and while he might have fled the waters to forge his own path, I watch over him still. I will always protect him. Especially from the unworthy.” Her lips pursed as she eyed me and left me feeling wanting.

“You can’t keep me here.” A faint claim with little fire.

“Who says I am? You may leave anytime you want.” She pointed to the water at her back. “But I should warn that outside this cavern there are dangers. Things that would love to eat wiggling little toes. That would feed on tender flesh. Even if you were to survive their teeth, it is a long swim to shore.”

“How long?”

Her lips curved into a cold smile. “Let’s just say you only made it because of my magic.”

Meaning I’d drown before I ever even made it close. As the reality of Nicola’s words penetrated, the true horror sank in. I’d gone from being a Cinderella avoiding marriage to a prince to a prisoner with no hope of escape because no way would Levi risk his freedom for me.

So much for the brief happiness I found.

“What do you mean she disappeared?” Levi bellowed as he stood by the edge of the pool. The clear water showed no body at the bottom. Worrisome to the extreme since he didn’t see Cinder anywhere in the vicinity, despite there being only one exit and Gerome swore on his life she’d not emerged.

Hannah wrung her hands in a rare sign of anxiety. “It’s like I said. One minute we were swimming, and the next, she was gone. Like poof gone.” She exploded her hands.

“That makes no sense,” he growled. “What the fuck possessed you to take her swimming?”

“I thought she needed a change of scenery. It should have been safe. I was with her the entire time. Gerome made sure no one else entered.”

It made him think of the fish in the tub the other night. A fish that had suddenly appeared. Had the same thing happened here? Had something apparated in the water and taken Cinder?

The very thought boiled his rage rather than his fear because he refused to give in to that kind of despair. She had to be alive.

And I will find her.

“I’m going in the water,” he stated, stripping his shirt.

“To do what? There’s nothing there,” Hannah insisted, waving her hand at the pool. He could have counted the tiles the water shone so clear.

“Maybe what we see is an illusion.” The Grimm Effect could play tricks on the mind.

“What if it takes you too?” Hannah showed a rare worry.

“Then at least I’ll know what happened to Cinder.” His sweet princess. He’d been hard-pressed to leave her that morning. The feelings inundating his entire being had taken him by storm. They began the first moment they met, weeks ago. He’d seen her slight figure hunched over a keyboard as she worked diligently, chewing her bottom lip adorably, looking intense with concentration. His attraction had only grown. Not just because of her looks but her intelligence. She’d been more than useful on his recent missions, gathering intel that he’d have thought impossible. Guiding them in the right direction. But what cemented it? The way she stood up to him—him and no one else. While she did her job competently and firmly, she tended to be easygoing with everyone except him. Unlike so many, she didn’t fear him. He didn’t intimidate her.

It only made him want her more.

He'd fought his interest in her, had to because she deserved better than a damaged Knight. But this latest task that put them in close proximity… It had been too much for him to resist. How could he say no when she kissed him? How could he walk away when she brought him such pleasure?

How could she be gone?

The air suddenly sizzled unnaturally. Even as he yelled, “Incoming,” he drew his gun, ready to shoot.

A woman appeared, the type you might call ageless with her fairly smooth skin yet so thin it could have been parchment, her hair gray and white. The lady, whom he’d met before, wore a poufy gown of pastel yellow that he rated almost as ridiculous as the tiny tiara that matched the wand she held. Weirder than Agatha suddenly appearing, the fact she appeared to float above the pool deck.

“What do you want? Where’s Cinder?” Because surely someone who could appear and disappear at will had something to do with his missing princess.

“Hello to you too, Sir Knight.”

Hannah chirped, “Holy shit, it’s Cinder’s godmother.”

“I’m aware who it is,” he growled. “And I’m asking again, where is Cinder?”

“I’m afraid that’s a tad complicated.” Godmother sank to the floor, her lips downturned. “It’s also why I’m here. I am sorry to inform you that Cinder is gone.”

“She’s dead?” Hannah gasped.

“Oh dearie no. She’s alive,” Agatha quickly corrected, offering him some relief.

“Where has Cinder gone?” he asked.

“Not somewhere you can easily fetch her I fear.”

“Listen, lady, would you stop talking in circles and answer the fucking question.” Levi lost patience as they wasted time dancing around the subject.

“Goodness, you lack manners. It’s kind of refreshing. I’m so used to people either fawning over me or making ridiculous wishes that it’s kind of nice.” Godmother beamed.

“My manners are going to get worse if you don’t start talking,” he growled.

“In that case, let me get to the point. It appears Cinder has been taken by a Nixie. The same one you escaped so long ago.”

He blinked as he digested this bit of information. Then exploded. “What the fuck do you mean Nicola took her?”

“I’m afraid I’m not clear on the details. Simply that the Nixie somehow managed to create a gateway to this pool, allowing her to kidnap Cinder and take her back to her lair.”

“Fuck me, that isn’t good.” Levi recalled all too well the games Nicola used to make him play. Forcing him to hold his breath underwater to strengthen his lungs. Withholding nourishment, thus forcing him to scrounge, which, in turn, made him self-sufficient. Tossing him into the waters to fight sharks and eels, which contributed to his strength. Cinder would never survive!

“Agreed, but I don’t know what we can do. The Nixie is beyond my ability to reach.” Agatha apologized.

“But not out of mine,” he muttered. Levi stripped off his shirt and kicked off his boots.

Hannah huffed, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Fetching Cinder, of course.” It should have been obvious.

“In case you hadn’t noticed, that’s a pool. Not the home for a Nixie.”

“It’s a body of water, meaning I can find the path there.”

“Are you serious?” Hannah ogled him.

“Have ever known me not to be?”

Hannah waved her hands. “But you can’t leave. We’re a day away from the ball. The prince?—”

“Has other Knights to watch over him. I shouldn’t be more than a few hours.”

“Hours?” Hannah screeched. “What if we get another dragon?”

“Gerome can spear it.”

“What if the prince is kidnapped?”

“Then you’ll have some explaining to do,” his dark reply.

Hannah’s lips pursed. “You really think it’s wise to leave now to find Cinder?”

“Yes. And don’t even think of stopping me.”

“Why would I stop a man in love?” Hannah chuckled.

The L word tensed him head to toe. “I am not in love.”

Hannah smirked. “Sure you aren’t, says Mr. Responsibility, who is ditching the mission to go after a woman.”

“Cinder is more than just a woman.”

“Apparently,” Hannah murmured slyly.

“Wait, did I miss something since my last visit?” Agatha asked as she eyed them, trying to keep up.

“Your last visit?” Hannah asked curiously.

“I don’t have time for this. You’re in charge until my return.” With that, Levi dove into the water and closed his eyes as he stroked for the bottom of the pool. The nerve of Nicola, abducting Cinder.

Unacceptable.

Stroke. Stroke. His arms pulled, his legs kicked, and when he didn’t hit the bottom, he knew he’d found the watery path to the Nixie’s lair. Now the true danger began. A good thing his old lessons were firmly entrenched and his lungs still strong from the conditioning.

By the time he heaved himself from the pool of water into the cave where he’d been raised, he’d fought a great white—and only gotten scrapes across his knuckles—tied an octopus in knots—and ignored the urge to have it deep fried—and been jolted by an electric eel. To say his mood was foul would be putting it mildly. He bellowed as he emerged, “Nicola! What did you do with my princess?”

The Nixie sat at a rusty bistro table, her hair a curtain over her nude body, her smile wide as she greeted him. “Hello, son. How nice of you to visit.”

“This isn’t a social call.” His gaze hit Cinder next, looking bedraggled but otherwise safe sitting across from Nicola wearing a seaweed cape.

His heart stopped when she smiled at him and said, “I can’t believe you came.”

Fuck me. Hannah had pegged it.

He was in fucking love.