Forbidden Knots (Shadow Duet #1)

17. SEVENTEEN

SEVENTEEN

Shadow

I stood up, and called her name into the depths, circling frantically while she fought for her life. At that moment, I had to choose— me or her. My fingers dug into my scalp, pulling at my hair as I cried out, "Fuck."

I chose her.

Taking a few steps back, I ran to the edge and leaped down. My body had failed me many times, but this time it had to count for her. My feet hit the water, and I plunged into the darkness, eyes wide open, searching for her. I broke the surface, screaming, "Thalia," terrified I'd lost her forever.

It couldn't be.

She couldn't be gone.

I took another breath and dove deep. I saw her sinking into the depths, and I swam down after her, fighting against the urge to resurface. My lungs burned, but my heart pulled me forward.

I was ready to die for her. This obsession drove me to risk everything just to save her. I grabbed her hand and pulled her up. My vision blurred, and my breath faltered, but I didn't stop until we broke the surface. Gasping for air, I pressed my mouth to hers, trying to breathe life back into her. The night was pitch black, clouds thickening, wind howling, and waves crashing over us. Lightning flashed, illuminating the chaos. I knew I had to be strong for both of us.

I draped her over my shoulder and swam to the nearest rock. The cold rock bit into my skin and waves slammed against us, but I clung to her. Leaning her back, I pressed on her chest over and over again.

"Come on, baby, don't leave me," I begged, my lips against hers, giving her my breath.

My hands pressed on her chest again, desperate to keep her from slipping away. Then, a slight movement—a cough. Water spewed from her mouth, and her eyes remained closed, but her arms found their way to my neck, clutching me tightly.

"You scared me," I cried, tears mixing with the seawater. "You fucking scared me," my forehead resting against hers.

"If you'd jumped a minute earlier, we wouldn't be in this mess," she whispered, still coughing.

A smile tugged at my lips. "Are you always this annoying?" I asked, our eyes meeting, waves still crashing around us, pushing us closer.

I turned, positioning myself beside her. "Hold onto my back. Let's get to the shore," I said, spitting out the salty water.

She nodded weakly, gripping the rock before swimming towards me and placing her palms on my shoulders. I started to swim, slowly, feeling her cling to me like a limpet to a rock.

She was silent, her head resting on my shoulder, her body too weak to swim. As we moved closer to shore, I felt the sand beneath my feet. I turned around, still waist-deep in the sea, and pulled her closer into my arms. Her legs wrapped around my hips, her warmth seeping into me. Her hands glided gently over my neck, sending shivers through my body.

Her lips were purple, her skin pale, and her eyes brimming with tears. At that moment, as she finally saw me for who I was, I longed to delve into her thoughts, but I knew they were as blank as mine.

I had imagined countless times how we would be together, how she would be mine. But now, it felt more complicated. Sophie knew—she had known all along—that I wouldn't let Thalia go. She knew how I was, and she knew Thalia couldn't handle it. Even Sophie couldn't handle seeing me with her friend.

All these knots of forbidden desires, all these entangled emotions, unraveled as my lips met hers. No matter how forbidden something is to the heart, it always finds a way to reach it. Mine reached hers the moment I saw her.

My tongue danced in her mouth, her body pressed so close to mine as I walked through the depths of the sea to the shore. The sand was sharp beneath my feet, the waves pulled us back, and the thunderstorm slashed through the sky, yet the night welcomed us to the light. Some kisses aren't just kisses—they're connections that lock souls together, making the world around you disappear. Each kiss made my heart race, but no doctor could heal the soul of a lover bound by forbidden love. I had tied myself to her, and she would never be free. She would always be mine. Always.

Finally, we reached the shore. I laid her on the sand, her body leaving imprints. As I moved over her, her palm sliced across my cheek, leaving a burning trail.

"If this is your way of thanking me, damn Thalia, you really know how to," I said, holding my jaw.

She crawled out from under me and sat up. "I don't want this, Tristan."

I sat next to her, my legs buried in the sand, both of us staring at the horizon, the moonlight glistening on the sea, thunder rumbling behind us. A storm was coming.

"You know I won't let you go, right?" I said, turning my head towards her and resting it on my arm.

"But why?" she asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Can't you see? You broke me into pieces. There's no glue in this world strong enough to put me back together." She buried her face into her knees, her tangled wet hair falling down her back. "Please leave me alone, please."

"I can leave, but I will never leave you alone," I said, pressing a gentle kiss to her bare shoulder. "Those broken pieces will find peace, I promise."

She peeked through her fingers, then tilted her head towards me, her eyes glistening with tears. "I fell for the Shadow before I fell for you. You shattered my reality, giving me this illusion of a world I never knew existed." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "All my life, I had everything I ever wanted, and now I want everything, but I can't have any of it."

"You have me," I whispered. "The Shadow will always follow you, and Tristan will always be here for you. Nothing has changed, Thalia. Nothing." I reached for her chin, bringing her face close to mine.

"You are still my Storm," I murmured, my gaze lingering on her lips, aching to kiss her. "I meant every word I said as the Shadow, and I mean every word I tell you now as Tristan."

"I can't," she cried, her eyes closing. "I'm afraid of this."

"You don't have to be afraid, baby," I said, pulling her closer. Her lips met mine, their warmth intoxicating. "I want you."

She melted into me, her hand on my neck, kissing me. "And I need you," I breathed.

"I so fucking need you," I said, turning her over, her body sinking into the sand beneath me. She had almost died, yet she had never looked more alive. My hand traced her hair, then her face, her neck, her chest. As I leaned in, footsteps approached. Before anyone saw us, I got up and looked up to see Sophie standing in front of us.

Tears streaked down Sophie's face like falling stars. That look of hers pierced through me—I knew I had to let Thalia go. I had to tie another knot and let Sophie win again.

Her tears made me feel so guilty, and I knew that she needed me more than Thalia did at that moment. If I didn't go with Sophie, I would lose her.

I got up, my hand still on Thalia as she pleaded with her eyes for me to stay. Before I could speak, she whispered, "Please, I am scared."

I knew she was. If I went with Sophie, Thalia would be all alone, and I feared what that would do to her, to us. But I couldn't abandon Sophie either—I was afraid of losing her too.

I took Thalia's hand, pulling her with me as we walked towards Sophie. Just before Sophie could speak, just before her mouth parted, I shouted, "Let me be fucking clear, not a fucking word I want to hear."

I saw the annoyance in her eyes, the hatred she harbored for Thalia despite their friendship. I didn't recognize her anymore. I was failing her in every possible way, failing to be there for her, but I had to raise her. If she continued to live in darkness as I did, I would lose her forever, and I couldn't let that happen.