Tessa’s POV

I could hear Pedro’s voice from a distance, amid this surrounding of rumbling waters, I could barely make out his words over the wind and the violent waves.

The water was cold, and each wave threatened to pull me under, but I welcomed it.

And as much as I welcomed it, I unconsciously fought desperately against the current, my arms swinging wildly, but despair had settled in, and a part of me—broken, exhausted—whispered that it might just be better to let go.

From the shore, I saw Pedro and the guards sprinting toward me.

Their faces were gruff, I prayed the water currents swept them in different directions,...