Page 79 of Through Uncharted Space
When they pulled apart, she opened her mouth. He shook his head. “No, don’t say anything.”
“I’m not giving up. I have a plan.”
He eyed her warily. “I’m listening.”
She shoved the helmet at him. “You’re stronger, and I’ve never been much of a swimmer. You can make it to the dome faster.”
“Yes, but I won’t be able to make it back to you in time.”
“I know. We’ll go together.”
He stilled. “What? We can’t share the helmet. We can’t take it off out there—”
“I know. I need you to drown me and pull me through the water to the dome.”
Dare sucked in a shocked breath. “Drown you? Are you crazy?”
She shook her head. “You can’t risk taking me out there fighting to breathe, I’ll slow you down, and the pressure would crush any air inside me. But if I’m not breathing, I’ll be still and my lungs would be full of liquid.”
“No.”
“Dare, it’s the only way.”
His heart was beating so fast he felt like it was going to burst out of his chest. “No.”
“My suit will protect me from the cold. You can revive me at the other end—”
“No.” He shook his head. “We have no idea if I can make it to the dome in time.”
Her gaze, so unusually serious, stared back at him. “Then we’ll both die here.”
Dammit. His fingers dug into her skin and he pressed his forehead against hers. “Making hard decisions has been my life. Usually, it comes so easily to me.”
A faint smile. “You don’t say.”
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to decide.”
Her hand wrapped around his. “It’s not your decision, Dare. It’s mine. It’s the only option.”
He felt the water rising up around their chests now. The struggle inside him was tearing him apart. He couldn’t put her at risk…but she was already at risk.
“Please, Dare. I trust you. You can do this.”
Fuck. He gave a single nod.
She let out a breath and sat back. “Good. I know this will work.”
Not letting himself think, Dare shoved all the wild emotions battering at him—fear, anger, terror—down deep inside of himself. Just as he’d done in that basement when they’d heard the door creak open and heavy footsteps descend. He reached down and took the helmet, then looked out through the viewscreen toward the dome. In his head, he was already planning. He needed the quickest route to get to the dome.
The water kept rising and soon both of them were floating near the top, breathing the last bit of air.
“Dare.” Her hands reached for him. He grabbed them, holding tight. Now he could hear the fear she was trying to hide.
“I’ll get us there.” It was a vow.
She gave him a small smile. “Of course you will. You’re Dare Phoenix.”
He pressed his mouth to hers, the water cold on their cheeks. He put everything he had into the kiss. Her hands clutched at him and she made a small sound that almost broke his heart.
