Chapter 199 TEIGEN XXIII
I had found that I was truly shameless, without any form of caution or restriction I pined after his touch, his fleeting gaze for it felt like he did not deem himself worthy enough to gaze upon me for too long but he was too greedy not to.
He believed I never notice and I would let him think so. The thrill of playing cat and mouse with our eyes was exhilarating, wondering who would look first. On the few, blessed occasions that our eyes would meet at once, sharing a short tranquil moment of release. Emotions unraveled, souls naked, begging to be seen, felt, loved but trapped in the flesh of responsibility, consequence, duty, restrictions that burdened the wild desire. The line between protection and possession, duty and instinct, responsibility and affection will blur, boundaries crossed, society's expectations long abandoned and discarded.
What are these bold inappropriate thoughts about a man I dare not have, lips I dare not taste and hands I dare not lay in? These may be mistaken feelings, misconceived passing glances, a way of escape from the cage that has been my life, a form of release and displaced desire to be loved. Whichever form of want has transformed my familiarity into affection I hope it will not be the end of me.
"My lady" a voice snapped me out of my reverie and I winced thinking about how long I had been staring longingly at Ryker.
Timidly I turn back to see Sir Blackwood's cold eyes now on the person I was so shameful enough to be daydreaming about,"I apologize, my Lord" I fist the hand of my fan, hoping my face was not so readable.
"Do I bore you?" His question catches me off guard and for a moment I just blink up at him.
"Pardon me, my lord?"
"You zone out, it makes me believe I am of no interest to you. You would much rather be anywhere else other than here, with me in this boat. Am I wrong my lady?"
I stutter horribly, "It is nothing of the sort, I simply feel restless because of the water"
His face beamed at my flat lie but disbelief still masked his expression, "How do you like my park? I hope to host more outdoor social events for the folk. Jousting is my personal favorite"
Every word he spoke floated above my head and into the water beneath, my attention never once focused but I had to smile and nod as if I was very interested. I was unaware of how much time passed, probably a lot seeing as my cheeks were soar from all the fake smiling. Thankfully the boat ride was over and we had begun to arrive at the shore. Ryker stood close, his eyes trained on the man beside me. Sir Blackwood stepped out of the boat first and onto the wood path, lending out his hand for me to take hold of.
It was going to be difficult to climb out with my dress and with the boat swaying beneath me I could easily loose my balance so I gripped his hand firmly, trying to pull myself up when suddenly mid way his hand released mine. My eyes widened with shock but before I could process the look on his face I tipped over the edge of the boat and the cold shards of water pierced through my skin, a splash accompanying my descent.
Quickly my whole body was submerged, icy waters wrapped around me making their way into my lungs. I gasped, more of the liquid rushing into my mouth at every chance. I choked out, bubbles drifting lazily around while I sucked in more water, my eyes blurry, only the sunlight above head getting more and more further away. As I plunge deeper, the water's chill seeps into my bones, a creeping numbness that deadens my senses. My thoughts grow muddled, a jumbled mess of panic and despair. I flail, a wild, uncoordinated dance, as if my limbs might somehow defy the water's gravity.The pressure builds, a relentless drumbeat in my ears.
My eardrums strain, threatening to rupture. The water's taste, a salty, metallic bitterness, floods my mouth. I gag, a reflexive spasm, as my body rebels against the invasion. My vision blurs, a darkening veil that covers the world above. The last remnants of sunlight, a faint, flickering glow, dance across the waves. I reach out, a futile grasp.
A distant image hovered above me, plunging into the water after me as I sank deeper and deeper. The more I struggled to swim the more my dress weighed me down. I tried to get rid of the farthingale, pulling beneath my dress to take it off as black spots began to cover my vision and water suffocate me. The moment I began to loose hope, my limbs loosing strength and feeling, my eyes drifting closed I felt a presence. Hands went round my form, tugging down my farthingale and successfully taking it off.
The bone structure dropped beneath the water, setting me free from its constraints. Drowsy I was pulled up, those gorgeous pair of violet orbs staring down at me with fear and concern were the last things I saw before my eyes shut.
~
"The lady Elara!"
Panick surged through Ryker the moment Elara's form fell through the surface of the water.
Fear, desperation and instinct kicked in all at once and immediately he sprung into action, tugging away his blazer and dropping it to the grass, his shoes coming off just as fast.
His bewildered gaze flickered to Sir Sawyer who stared at the water, his expression unreadable.
"Elara! Somebody help her, she is sinking!" Sir Sawyer stumbled back, still unmoving. Ryker ran passed him and jumped into the water, the cold water completely swallowing him whole.
The initial shock from how cold the water was faded quickly as Ryker began searching for Elara. He spotted her in the depths, struggling to pull down her dress. He swam over to her just in time for her body to go limp, the strength in her muscles slacking as he fought against the flow while helping Elara pull down her farthingale.
Once it was off Ryker wrapped his arms around Elara's form, pulling her to his side. At that moment her eyes shut, terror stroke his heart. She had not inhaled any oxygen in a while.
Ryker grabbed tight hold of Elara and he began to swim to the top with her beside him. Getting to the top he pulled her to shore, everyone gasping and talking amongst themselves.
"Is she alive?"