Kieran's POV
The 29th of November was one of the coldest days we'd had in two years. And of course, the weather chose that day too, the day we were attempting to break into the kingdom.
Not only that, but we knew we'd have to jump into a freezing cold moat in -5 degrees Celsius. Couldn't have been more excited.
Elodie woke me up early when the day came and we sat in the main room for at least an hour covering the plan again. If worse came to worse, I'd be the one with the pistol she'd managed to steal from a guard at our first compound. Said she'd never wanted to use it before but that we both knew how important the day was and we needed a backup plan.
She trusted me.
Not that I wanted to pull the trigger on anyone, but I would've done anything for Elodie. For any of them.
So, when it turned 7am and our entire group was stood in front of us both: geared up with warm clothes, weapons and nervous looks plastered on their faces, it finally hit me what we were planning on doing. But it also hit me that we had the opportunity to save someone I considered family, and immediately that thought shadowed the ones I'd been thinking previously and I lost all care.
Elodie turned to me with a grin on her face and opened up the car door.
"Let's go."
***
Elodie's POV
We drove for six hours. The new longest car ride I'd been on since that one journey to find Kieran two months ago. Music blasting out of the speakers with the windows open, Cara asleep on Kieran's shoulder in the back, overall, what you wouldn't really consider a journey that could technically lead to our demise. But, I suppose, what was the point in dwelling on that in the first place when we'd already agreed we were all in?
I smiled to myself as 'Stairway to heaven' came on, knowing that this time it wasn't just Lucas in the car with me.
Yet the kingdom was nothing like I'd ever expected.
With huge towers travelling miles up into the air, guards in towers with snipers trained on the main entrance but worst of all; huge black stone walls and a treacherous moat surrounding it.
I'd seen pictures of the kingdom, and since the 2022 rebellion I'd never seen it look as bone-chilling as it did now.
I turned to look at Arya and watched her scan the area, a flash of pain behind her eyes.
Lucas turned the car into an area of woods we knew was flatland and parked up, giving us enough room to prepare and gear up, but also close enough so that we were able to dive into the moat unnoticed.
So, we did just that, preparing ourselves fully before sneaking round the side of the building with backpacks on our back and silent footsteps, terrified one of us would accidentally appear from behind the trees and we'd be shot. But the shot never came and before we knew it, we were shielded by the kingdom walls and standing in front of the moat wishing we were anywhere else.
At the last second, I turned to Bryony and Noah.
"Hey you two, I know how excited you've been for us to try bring Hunter home, but I don't want you to come inside with us. It's not safe for you two."
The two looked like I'd shattered their hearts, but nodded solemnly and smiled at me to clarify that they were okay with my decision. They wandered back to the car, hiding behind the trees. Noah tripping on a stick for a split second and giggling as his twin clutched onto his arm.
I then smiled to Luke, Kieran, Cara and Arya. "We're really doing this?"
The four of them nodded at me.
"Luke, Arya" Cara giggled, "I'll race you, on three."
I watched, anxiously but also laughing to myself as the three of them took deep breaths and jumped in, kicking hard until they disappeared into the depths and I couldn't see them anymore.
Kieran stood in front of me and smiled cheekily. "I'll go first, make sure it's safe for you. Better not have to save you this time."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "No, I insist." I smiled. "Ladies first."
And then I put two fingers to my head and saluted, laughing before diving forwards into the water, watching as his shocked face became a distant blur above me.
The water was freezing, sending icy chills down my spine. However, swimming down was peaceful, only hearing the sound of the own splashing of my feet and the ripple of the water around me.
Admittedly, I was a little worried I wouldn't make it in time and then Kieran would truly have to grab me and save me again just like that day on the roof so many years ago when we first met, but I had faith I'd be able to do it.
Finally, just as I was starting to feel a slight strain in my chest, a large boulder came into view below me, and beside that a gap where I saw running water. Mentally, I thanked Arya for being right and the little tally of trust I'd been building got another point.
Drifting slowly downwards, I grabbed onto the boulders with both hands and attempted to pull myself sideways and into the gap.
But instead of air, I felt panic seep into my lungs as I heard a voice beside me. Cara's voice.
"Elodie, Kieran, don't come through the gap!" She screamed.
And just as she did, I started spluttering for air. A mix of the worry I heard in her voice and also the fact that I hadn't breathed air in at least a minute.
Still clinging onto the boulder, I searched around me for any sign of an air pocket, finally spotting one and nearly feeling relieved but then quickly feeling my lungs begin to surrender to the water and realizing I wouldn't make it.
I was going to drown.
Kieran wouldn't make it in time this time, he was way above me and I knew that.
So, I took matters into my own hands this time and refused to give up to the water. I was so much stronger than I'd been then. With all my strength, I dragged myself sideways, letting my eyes close fully now.
But just as they closed, I took a deep breath in. And instead of water filling my lungs, I felt air.