Page 267 of Volik

His smile is so gentle it makes my chest ache. “Bonjour, Ma Fleur.”

We’re indoors. Comfortable. And based on the high ceilings and stone walls, I think we’re in the castle.

Snuggling into his hold, I reach up and stroke my thumb over Volik’s cheek.

“My miracle,” I whisper.

Volik swallows roughly, his throat working.

I remember the scent of his tears.

Remember the blood coating the lower part of his face.

Remember the blast of power that knocked me off the cliff.

Remember sinking into the ocean.

“We’re alive.” I hardly believe it, but I can feel my heartbeat steady in my chest. I can feel the air in my lungs.

“Because of you,” Volik whispers.

I shake my head. “I was drowning.”

“Nyet. You were just swimming in the wrong direction.”

A small laugh cracks inside my chest, and my eyes fill with tears. “I was so scared.”

“I was too.” Volik tightens his hold on me. “But you do not need to be scared of the water anymore.”

“Because you’ll teach me to swim?”

“Nyet. Well, da, we will learn. But, Nixy…” Volik swallows. “You cannot drown.”

I open my mouth. Then tilt my head.

I remember him pulling me from the water.

I remember my lungs burning as I took that first breath.

But everything after that…

“You cannot drown.” His voice is steadier this time. “Because aside from old age, there is only one way you can die.”

I sit up straighter in Volik’s lap, twisting so we’re eye to eye. “What are you saying? What happened?”

“Our hearts stopped. I do not know for how long, I… passed out.”

I press my hand to his chest.

He’s here. Talking to me. But I need to feel his heart beating inside his chest.

Volik doesn’t pass out. Neither of us has done that when our hearts stopped before.

“Did we die?”

“We slept.” The side of Volik’s mouth pulls up. “And when I woke, the old druid told me you had no human left. And you had these.”

He reaches up with both hands.