Chapter 67 - Kissed By The Ocean

The cold ocean waters engulfed her body, like giant blue flames overtaking her entire being. Until, she was left panicking in choked cries as her body kept floating down into the deep blue depths.

She closed her eyes.

This was it.

Prisana's pathetic life flashed as an obedient daughter who thought she had it all. All, which disappeared in the blink of an eye on the day of her wedding. Then her life warped into truths which were opened by Giovanni, Erica, and the beast who shed all for her to use him.

Who would miss her?

Aunt Florence, perhaps. Prisana had been avoiding her since returning to New Jersey. If she knew her life would end so soon then she would have easily forgiven her aunt so they could come to good terms.

Her mother's portrait came to mind. If she were alive, then perhaps her own mother would have missed her dearly as well.

Would the beast miss her?

She wasn't allowed any more last thoughts because those thoughts turned to a dozen as she felt a cold touch pool around her shoulders.

Prisana opened her eyes to Dane holding her close against his chest.

She choked on more water because she still wanted to tell him she loved him if this was all a dream before her final moments. Yet the next moment when she opened her lips, he kissed her so that air could fill inside her lungs.

Gradually, her body rose along with Dane's as he continued to usher the both of them upward along the crashing currents. By now, she couldn't seem to understand if this was life or death and if the universe was gifting her with a beautiful dream of her beast giving her an earth shattering kiss under the ocean.

When their bodies were floating among the surface of the water, her consciousness faded away to another plea filled scream,"Prisana!"

***

"...calm down, sir."

"...she's not breathing!"

"...can't go to the hospital until we find a safe spot to land."

"Prisana...Open your eyes...Please."

Prisana felt a harsh pressure pumping against her chest. She could hear and feel his every warmth calling her to life. Something was pressing against her chest, vibrating her whole body to register her surroundings.

"Dearest lynx, don't you dare leave my side like this. I won't forgive you. Not this lifetime or the next."

She shuffled inside his arms as she began to choke out water onto her body. It was disgusting as she sat upright and kept choking among water that spilled out of her throat like a waterfall.

"Prisana!"

"Is...this a dream?" she managed through choked sobs. "Dane, is it truly you right here in front of me? Dane..."

He put a finger to her lips, "Shh, you've called my name so many times. I'm so sorry that I'm late but now, I'm finally here."

The whole ordeal still felt like a strange dream as she looked around and eyed the pilot navigating what was most likely a helicopter. She quickly turned to the side to stare down at the large body of water circling them to confirm they were some feet up high into the air.

"You won..."

"We won," he corrected her, then softened his gaze as he stroked her head. "Prisana, you were so brave out there."

It was like all her earlier misfortunes were washed away by that simple touch of his hand reassuring her.

"Of course, I'm none other than your mighty lynx. Heh, consider yourself lucky. That means I won't divorce you," Prisana joked this but winced under another cough.

Dane lightly chucked the underside of her chin and kept his serious expression aimed at her misfortunes. The misfortune detailed the bruise caused by her own flesh and blood, her now choppy short hair, and the way her black dress wilted against her skin.

He first leveled his touch to her cheek, "Who did this?"

"This is nothing that I can't handle."

Immediately, she could feel his body shaking beside her. She reached out a hand to cup his face that had turned away from her.

"...Dane, what's wrong?"

To her surprise, she turned his face to hers only to find helpless anger directed at all around them.

"You're hurt," he whispered, low so that it was almost like a hushed anger threatening to erupt. "Does it hurt?"

"It did. I'm fine now," she tried to reassure him but his shaking kept persisting.

This beastly husband in front of her was more angry for her own sake, than herself.

When it happened, she felt numb to the senator's dirty actions and filthy words that violated what she thought she knew of him. Today proved he was capable of killing his own flesh and blood.

Prisana in turn, patted her beast's head like he had done to her. She kept stroking his wild unruly locks kissed by the ocean, until the shaking subsided to a helpless sigh.

"...I'm afraid of this feeling," he finally spoke. "When I see you so hurt, I think I would do anything. I would even readily put an end that man who did this to you...And the man that pushed you to cut your beautiful long hair..."

"This?" she motioned to the choppy layers in a cheery voice. "I was beginning to grow sick of it. Doesn't this style suit me?"

Then, Prisana's eyes widened as she had to choke out more water.

In the midst of her puking out every last gut she owned, Dane grasped her petite body and hugged it tight.

So tight, that she felt as if she would break apart but her body was relieved of more water.

"I was most afraid of when you jumped and when you were back in my arms...that you would never wake up again."

Prisana equally squeezed him closer to her, clutching her hands against his wet suit.

"I'm here," she tenderly whispered back.

He sighed into her neck, "...Do you remember when I said I was cursed?"

She nodded, silently listening as he held her tight. It was as if he was trying to keep her from slipping away even though she wouldn't go anywhere.

"My ex-girlfriend died before I could even begin to reconcile with her. And my grandfather, he passed away during a terrible car accident. It was my fault. I kept calling him to hurry home," Dane's expression darkened as he recalled the memory. "My parents, they too died from a house fire and I was the only survivor...My dear lynx, do you see where I'm going with this?"

Prisana inhaled a sharp intake of breath.

"I'm cursed. All the people I've ever come to love, eventually die."

She let out her long breath.

Then, she shook her head, for her heart ached for how he was blaming himself.

"None of that was your fault. Dane, I won't die. I didn't die. I'm right here and I won't go anywhere as long as you allow it."

Her beast shook again but this time, he finally laughed and found her in a beautiful truth.

"Truly, I was going to bury these feelings and let you use me until it was time to part but when I saw you so lifeless before me...God, it scared me to death because I haven't even told you how I felt about you."

Dane leaned and tapped his forehead against hers. She didn't know what to expect. Perhaps, she would never have been prepared for his next words.

"Prisana, lynx, and dearest wife. I'm madly in love with you."