Francesca Riley - Follow Me

Follow Me

Immersed Book 2

Francesca Riley

Copyright 2019 Francesca Riley

Editor: Lisette de Jong

Cover: Amala Benny, Mayflowerstudio.com

Logo & Shell Illustrations Francesca Riley

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, actual events, locales or organisations is entirely coincidental.

All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

ISBN: 978-0-473-47480-5

Books on the Immersed Bookshelf

Prelude

L UNGS BURNING, SUBMERGED in endless emptiness.

Lips clamped tight against the probing water. Terror like hot wire through her veins.

Up was a million miles away, just a shimmer far above, impossible to reach.

It was too late.

So, this was drowning. Lips parting, lungs filling...

It felt like destiny. It felt like coming home.

1. Skye. Together

S KYE HELD HUNTERS cold hand so tightly that her fingers cramped, while his slowly warmed in hers. He stumbled against her, treading on her foot more than once, sending them into fits of laughter. Skyes felt bordering on hysterical. Or as close to pure joy as shed ever felt. Her stomach ached, and her cheeks were stiff from smiling so widely. Her lifelong belief that love hurt flashed into her mind.

Am I that awful at this walking on land thing? Hunter joked when she laughed again. Then his smile faded, eyes widening, and she felt the same emotion ripple through her Hunter, walking on dry land. With her. They stared at each other, stunned at their new reality. Together. What it meant. It meant happy ever after. Shed thought it didnt exist.

Hunter leaned in, touching his cold forehead lightly to hers for a moment. This must be what bliss feels like, she thought. His face so close to hers was irresistible and she closed the gap to brush her lips against his.

Brush was what she intended, but her arms twined around his neck, pulling him closer, his ocean-cold lips against hers washing every other thought out of her head. His soft chuckle against her mouth brought her back to herself as he drew back a little, reminding her of the real danger his prolonged touch posed to her. Lead on, he whispered.

Follow me, she murmured back, smiling.

They turned together towards the archway that lead out of Ciarlan Cove. Skye walked so close beside him that they constantly touched, making it real. This was real. But when they stepped inside the rock archway, Hunter slowed, then stopped. What if they cant see me?

By the faint light from the hidden entrance ahead she read trepidation in his face. What if who cant see you?

Anyone.

Skye stared at him. She hadnt thought of that. She could barely think beyond this instant. Well... Didnt you say I make you present? That others can see you when youre with me?

True. I did. You do. His nearly shoulder-length dark hair fell about his face, a few twisted strands already drying to the colour of fire-smoked driftwood. So, never leave your side from now on, is that what youre saying? I can live with that. She heard the smile in his voice, saw his lips curve.

Me too. Hunter never leaving her. She could definitely live with that.

But...what if they cant see me? he repeated. They stared at one another.

Then theyll think Im a loony, talking to myself. Well know soon enough. Her tone was light, but his words had cast a shadow over her joy. Hunter being able to leave the sea was inexplicable. Impossible. There had to be a catch.

But he had left the sea. He was safe and whole. And with her . And in this moment, that was all she wanted to think about.

Rummaging in the bag shed left in the archway she pulled out towels. Handing one to him she began to dry herself with the other. Hunter studied the towel in his hand, bemused. One of about a million firsts for him, she realised. He followed her actions, smiling incredulously, and she smiled with him.

After drying herself off as much as she could, Skye put her clothes on over her swimsuit along with an old jacket of Rowenas shed borrowed expecting to be half frozen when she made it back to shore. Oddly, she wasnt cold at all. Something to do with Hunters shell ring on her finger, she supposed.

She turned and looked uncertainly at Hunters long frame, dressed only in his old seventies swimming shorts. Anything shed brought for herself was miles too small for him. It hadnt for one second crossed her mind to bring something for him. He shouldnt be here, needing dry clothes. But he was. Staggering delight flared, dazzling her.

I dont need anything, he said quietly when he saw her riffling through her bag for the third time.

She bit her lip, glancing at the fading light. I kind of think you do.

Blend in with the humans, he grinned. I get it. He wrapped the towel hed used around his waist, and taking her damp towel, slung it around his shoulders. Now he looked like any other beach-goer whod lingered a little too late in the water.

Any other beach-goer that is, who looked like hed stepped out of some gothic model shoot, whose silvery charcoal eyes could turn her heart over. He raised his eyebrows in a silent request for approval and she nodded, her breath annoyingly elusive.

Deciding they were as ready as they could make themselves, they began to move towards the dusky light outside. Then abruptly Skye halted, pressing her hand against the cold shadowed rock, her arm forming a barrier. She stared at the opening just a few steps away.

Her heart hadnt stopped racing since Hunter had crossed his boundary. Now it pounded at a ghastly new thought. One she couldnt ignore.

Skye? What is it?

Hunter, what if your boundary has only moved? We dont know how this has happened you able to be here with me, across the waterline. You think your boundary is somehow me now. But what if it isnt? What if your boundary still exists, somewhere beyond the waterline now? What if we reach it without knowing and cross it and you She hunched over, bracing her hands on her knees, exhaling.

Hunter crouched beside her and peered into her face. Skye, breathe. He rubbed her back, slow firm stokes that helped her lungs function. Yes. I could end, he agreed, dissolve. He stood, helping her to straighten as he did. But I dont believe I will. I trust... this , whatever this is.

But when he turned to leave she still didnt move. Maybe we should just stay here? Until were sure youll be safe.