With a splash, Celeste coughed up water, her breath ragged but slowly stabilizing.

"Celeste?"

Nathaniel whispered her name tenderly, as though he feared waking her.

He reached out and gently touched her pale, cold face, his own heart racing with worry.

Her thick lashes fluttered, casting off droplets of water as she slowly opened her eyes.

"Mr. Ford..." she croaked, her voice hoarse as if something was stuck in her throat.

Suddenly, she was enveloped in a ...