Belle’s Quest (Fairytale Bureau #3)

Chapter 7

7

Being dumped into the ocean might be a bad time to regret never learning to swim. As my fur got waterlogged, I struggled to keep my head above the water rising in the plane’s cabin. Would drowning hurt?

Apparently, I wouldn’t find out today because Killian said, “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

Indeed, Killian gripped my shirt, the fabric stretched to my changed bulk but holding as he dragged me. I might have blubbered stupidly, but for one, I had to keep my mouth shut to avoid swallowing water, and two, he appeared to have a better plan than dying.

“We’re going to have to dunk under for a second to get out,” his brief warning before the yank that dragged me below the surface .

It took everything in me to not panic at the submersion. I held tight to my fear, and a moment later, my head cleared the water. I sucked in a breath.

“Hold on to this rope.” Killian placed my hand on a nylon cord, attached to the inflatable raft, which he’d somehow managed to keep in all the turmoil. It expanded rapidly, almost snapping me off as it exploded to its full floating size.

Rather than Killian clambering on first, he boosted me, dumping my soggy butt into the swaying lifeboat. When he didn’t immediately join me, I scrabbled to peer over the edge.

“Killian?” I was in time to see him diving under the water and entering the sinking plane. A plane that still glowed, as the lights hadn’t yet extinguished.

What was he doing? Then it hit me. Hannah remained inside.

I couldn’t keep watch to see if he succeeded in his rescue, as a flap of wings drew my eyes overhead. The remaining pair of dragons still circled!

One swooped for the raft, opening its maw, getting ready to roast me. The whole raft rocked, and I thought it would capsize, only it steadied as a soaked Gerome suddenly appeared, throwing himself into the boat, spear in hand. The maniac didn’t stay, though. He launched himself into the air just as the dragon swooped low to barbecue my butt. The point of his weapon entered the dragon’s mouth, and it squealed as it thrashed its head side to side. Despite its vigorous protest, it couldn’t dislodge the spear or the man holding it. Gerome swung like a pendulum with each shake.

The pair crashed into the ocean, the impact sending my raft away from the airplane. Of Hannah and Killian, I could see no sign. But the third dragon?

Yeah, it was swooping and bugling as it came right at me. Damn it. Exactly how many close encounters with death would I experience in one night?

The dragon skimmed low across the water, the lightening horizon showing dawn not far away. Not that sunlight would help, and all I had to defend myself? A plastic oar.

I could have cowered. Sobbed. All reasonable actions given the situation, but while terror did grip me, I realized I couldn’t afford to be a shivering pussy if I wanted to live. Being brave came with lots of screaming as I launched myself into the air. As the dragon went to spew fire, I whacked it on the nose with my oar.

To no effect, I should add, but in good news, you know what doesn’t burn when sopping wet?

Fur.

I got warm, uncomfortably so, but I didn’t light on fire or burn to a crisp. Luckily, I landed back in the boat, still with my battle oar. The dragon had swept past, but I figured it would probably come back around.

The boat rocked as Gerome heaved himself on board still holding his spear. I almost wondered how he managed to retrieve it until I saw the cord tethered between the weapon and his wrist. Smart.

He held it ready, but the remaining dragon decided to value its life and flew off, leading Gerome to mutter, “Coward.” Only he would be disappointed.

With the dragon no longer imminently threatening, I yelled, “Killian went back into the plane for Hannah.”

Gerome glanced at me then the water. He sighed. “She hates being saved,” he muttered before readying to dive in.

He didn’t jump, most likely because two heads popped above the surface.

I couldn’t help but smile in relief, my joy at seeing them both as bright as the cresting sun. Speaking of which, its rays hit me and so did discomfort and crackling. And did I mention pain?

Not again. Would I turn into something worse than a hairy feline beast?

Instead, hair sank into flesh.

My flesh.

I held up my hand and grinned. I was normal again!

Hooray.

A hooray that doubled when Killian clambered aboard, along with Hannah.

We’d survived. Although our poor pilot hadn’t.

I threw my arms around Killian and hugged him tight.

He squeezed me back and murmured, “I’m happy to see you too.”

My excitement at surviving proved short-lived as a scowling Hannah, hands planted on her hips, surveyed the undulating waves and said, “We are so fucked. Ain’t no way we’re making it to shore in this dingy.”

Killian shook his head and smiled. “Don’t be so sure of that.” He glanced at me. “I’m going to do something to get us out of this mess. Try to not be jealous.”

“Um, jealous of what?” His statement made no sense.

“You’ll see.”

I rolled my eyes. “Now is not the time to be mysterious. If you have a solution to our dilemma, spit it out.”

“You know I’m a prince, right?”

“And?” I huffed. “Not exactly the time to remind us of your title.”

“That title is going to save us. Now excuse me while I emasculate myself calling for help.” Killian stood on the prow of our little boat and bellowed, “Marina, it is I, your sweet prince. Where art thou, beautiful songbird of the sea?”

My brow arched, and I could see Hannah equally confused. Gerome sat with his spear in his lap, watching the sky. Should have been watching the water.

The tentacle poked up from the waves, and I swear it peeked at us, given how it turned left and right as if scanning the entire boat.

“Um, Killian….” I spoke softly and wondered if he heard me over his singsong chant that used the word Marina and beautiful a few too many times.

“What is it?” He glanced at me, and I pointed.

He saw the tentacle, and the psycho grinned. “It won’t be long now.”

“Won’t be long before what? We’re octopus food?”

“You’ll see.” He sounded entirely too cheerful.

A fish burst from the water, arcing in the dawn light, its tail sleek and shimmering, the iridescent scales catching the sun’s rays. As it rotated in the air, it spread its arms, and its hair spun away from its torso, revealing breasts!

I gaped at the mermaid as she splashed back down. She soon reappeared and hoisted herself on her forearms to cling to the side of the boat.

“Sweet prince,” she gurgled. “You called for me.”

“Indeed, I did. My companions and I find ourselves adrift with no clue as to where to find shore.”

“That way.” A tail flicked from the water, showering us with droplets.

“Very helpful, thank you,” Killian stated. “However, we also find ourselves without a motor or a sail.”

“You have two legs. You could always kick.” Her laughter emerged like water running and babbling over rocks.

“I don’t suppose you could help us?”

A sly expression crossed Marina’s face. “I could, but it will cost you.”

“And what would you ask of me, my beautiful sea siren?” Killian asked with a smile that probably dropped panties—and shoes—when unleashed. I know if he’d turned it on me, I might have been tempted.

“You know what I want, sweet and sexy prince,” Marina said on a coy note, her tail slapping the surface of the water. “You.”

My brows just about hit the atmosphere at her obvious suggestion.

“Alas, we are still not compatible in that respect.” He sounded chagrinned, and I had to wonder if he truly felt that way because, while half female, Marina still appeared rather alien with her seaweed-like hair, her black unblinking eyes, and her pearly moist skin.

“A shame indeed. I guess I shall have to settle for a kiss.” Marina pursed her lips, plump and dark green.

“One kiss,” he stated, “and you will bring us safely to shore.”

“One proper kiss,” she corrected, parting her lips to show sharp teeth like a shark’s.

“Agreed.” He leaned down, and to my shock, I felt a spurt of irrational jealousy. I knew he did it to save us, and it was just a kiss, but…

He’s my husband.

In name only, but still, it bothered me to see him with his mouth pressed to another.

It lasted mere seconds—an eternity—and Marina flipped away, literally. In and out of the water, bouncing all over. I began to think she’d duped Killian, only the tentacle poked its tip through a loop of rope on our boat, and suddenly we were skimming and bouncing over waves.

I held on, all I could do since I didn’t want to get tossed. I doubted Marina would have her pet octopus turn around to save me.

Killian sat down and didn’t look at me. Was he thinking of the mermaid? Wishing they were compatible ?

Hannah whooped. “Yee-haw! This is better than tubing.”

As for Gerome, he napped.

Killian reached for my hand and laced his fingers with mine. He still hadn’t said anything, but it oddly comforted. I leaned my head on his shoulder and actually fell asleep. I couldn’t tell how long we travelled, only I woke at Hannah’s shout of “Land ho!”

And apparently, the end of our ride.

The tentacle disappeared, and we rolled into the rocky shore with the incoming tide.

We’d survived the night.

But I now had to wonder if we’d live to see the next.