Penelope’s POV

"Three."

Daemon’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

And then they jumped.

Lucas. The guards. Even Daemon.

One by one, bodies hit the water with loud splashes, swallowed by the dark river.

But me?

I froze.

My whole body locked up. My fingers gripped the edge of the boat like it was the only thing keeping me alive. The arrows were still coming, raining from the sky like fire sent from angry gods.

And still… I couldn’t move.

“Penelope!” Daemon’s voice ripped through the air, sharp and commanding.

I looked up

And that’s when I saw it.

An arrow. On fire. Coming straight for my face.

My breath caught. My legs moved.

I jumped and the boat tipped over.

The cold hit me like a punch. The river wasn’t just water, it was ice. A living, breathing glacier that swallowed me whole. I gasped the second I went under, the cold stealing the air from my lungs.

But I knew how to swim. That was what saved me.

So I kicked hard, pushing through the water. I surfaced, spitting out a mouthful of water, my arms trembling already.

Around me, more arrows sliced the air above the water. Still coming. Still trying to kill us.

They weren’t stopping.

I barely made it close to Daemon when I heard his voice again loud and steady over the madness.

“Everyone down! Hold your breath and count to ten. Now!”

I didn’t question. I dunked under.

The cold gripped me again, this time even worse. My body screamed in protest.

“One. Two. Three…”

Arrows sliced through the surface above, like knives through water.

“Eight. Nine. Ten.”

I came back up, gasping.

Another wave.

“Down again!” Daemon shouted.

I went under.

We did it again.

And again.

Ten seconds under. Two seconds up.

For ten full minutes.

I thought I’d die.

My legs were numb. My teeth chattered so hard I thought they'd break.

My arms barely moved.

I was shaking even in the water. My body wasn’t listening anymore.

But Daemon?

Lucas?

The guards?

They didn’t even flinch.

They moved like machines. Like they were made for this. Like they’d done it a thousand times.

I hated how weak I felt.

I hated that I was slowing down.

Finally the arrows stopped.

Silence.

I looked up, blinking through the mist and water. No more fire. No more hissing.

Just the river.

Just the fortress, still waiting ahead like a nightmare carved in stone.

But now… we had to swim to it.

It was far. Too far.

“No,” I whimpered, my teeth chattering. “I… I can’t. I don’t think I can”

My body gave a violent shake.

Daemon swam closer. His hand grabbed mine, firm but gentle. His eyes locked with mine, very sharp and focused but not cold.

“Penelope,” he said, low and steady. “You can.”

I shook my head, a sob catching in my throat. “I’m freezing. I can’t feel my arms”

“You’re not alone,” he said. “You’re with me. With us. I won’t let anything happen to you, but you have to listen.”

My lip trembled. “What if I sink?”

“Then I’ll pull you out,” he said. “But you won’t sink. You’re stronger than that.”

I stared at him. His face was wet, hair plastered back, muscles tense but his grip was solid. His words were calm.

I wanted to believe him.

I had to.

I nodded slowly. Just once.

He gave a small, approving nod back.

“Good,” he said. “Now swim. Follow my pace. Don’t stop. We’re almost there.”

I turned toward the looming fortress. The water still stretched long and black before us.

And I swam.

Because I had no choice.

Because Daemon believed I could.

And I wasn't going to die before I proved him right.

We swam for what felt like forever.

The cold bit into every inch of my skin like a thousand sharp teeth. My fingers were numb, my lips shaking, my legs barely moving but I kept swimming. Because Daemon’s voice echoed in my head: “Follow my lead, Penelope. Don’t stop.”

My muscles screamed. My chest burned. I didn’t even know how I was still moving.

But I swam.

The others barely made a sound. Daemon, Lucas, the guards moved like shadows through the water. Steady. Strong. Unshaken.

I was the only one gasping, trembling, my teeth clattering like bones in a windstorm. The only one falling behind.

But Daemon stayed close.

And when we finally reached the edge of the riverbank, the border to the Northern Watters I collapsed into the shallow shore, choking on air and river water.

My limbs refused to move.

And just then, Daemon’s arms were around me. Lifting me like I weighed nothing.

“I’ve got you,” he muttered, his voice low but firm as he carried me out of the water.

I clung to him, shivering so hard I couldn’t speak. My soaked clothes stuck to my skin. My breath came in panicked gasps.

But he didn’t let go.

We made it to the entrance gate carved into the thick, dark wall of the fortress. The guards were already waiting, five of them standing tall in long black coats, spears crossed in front of the gate.

Their eyes gleamed from under their hoods.

They didn’t even flinch when they saw Daemon.

One of them stepped forward. He was older, sharp-jawed, with a scar running down his cheek. His voice was cold as ice.

“Name.”

Daemon didn’t hesitate. “Daemon Dray. Alpha of Ironclad pack and the sovereign.

I seek passage. Under the old accord.”

The guard arched a brow. “You came unannounced. No seal. No offering.”

“We were attacked,” Daemon said, his voice tight with anger. “Your men nearly killed us.”

“Then perhaps you shouldn’t have crossed into a kingdom that does not trust strangers.” The guard glanced at the rest of us, Lucas, the drenched soldiers, and me, shaking like a leaf.

“Especially ones who bring… guests.”

“She’s under my protection,” Daemon said quickly, his grip on me tightening.

The guard held his gaze. A long moment passed.

Then he gave a sharp nod, stepping aside.

“Let them in.”

The gates groaned open. Heavy. Reluctant. Like they didn’t want to welcome us.

I expected celebration, maybe warmth, or at least relief.

But the moment we stepped inside… I was the only one shaking.

The courtyard was cold and quiet, shadows stretching from every corner. Towers rose above us like silent giants, windows glowing dimly behind the stone walls. Soldiers lined the walkway, watching us with unreadable faces.

I couldn’t stop trembling.

Not even when Daemon set me down gently on a bench by the wall. My soaked boots left puddles on the stone floor.

Lucas came up beside us, arms folded, still soaked but steady. “Looks like they were expecting someone. Just not us.”

One of the guards from the gate approached again.

“You will wait here,” he said. “The king is not in the fortress at this hour. And… still displeased.”

Daemon’s jaw tensed. “Then we’ll meet him tomorrow?”

“Yes. At first light. If he permits it.”

Daemon didn’t argue. But I could feel his frustration.

He wanted this over. Now.

But the guard’s tone left no room for discussion. “For now, you will be given a chamber to dry and rest. The woman,” he glanced at me, “should warm up before she freezes.”

I almost laughed bitterly. Finally, someone noticed.

We were led down a long stone hallway lit with wall torches. The castle smelled of iron, woodsmoke, and damp stone. I tried to walk, but my legs felt like jelly.

Daemon noticed. He gently put his hand on my back, guiding me forward. “You’re okay. We’re in. Just a little longer.”

“Why am I the only one still shivering?” I muttered, half to myself.

Lucas grinned faintly. “Because we’ve done this before.”

Daemon didn’t smile. He kept his eyes ahead. But his hand never left my back.

And somehow, that made it all a little easier.

Daemon suddenly halted at the base of the staircase. His jaw clenched.

“Lucas,” he said, not even turning around, “take the other room. You and the soldiers stay close.”

Lucas nodded once. “Got it.”

Without another word, the group went off down a different hallway, their boots echoing into silence.

Before I could blink, Daemon spun back toward me and then I was in the air.

“Omg!”

He lifted me like I weighed nothing, his arms under my thighs and back, holding me with that same firm control that always made my stomach tighten. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist. My damp chest pressed against him.

My face landed on the broad curve of his shoulder, and I found myself breathing in the scent of smoke, rain, and something darker, something like him.

I was stunned. Not just by the sudden closeness, but by the way he did it. Without hesitation. Like I belonged there.

I didn’t say a word. Neither did he.

He carried me up the winding stairs, the creak of old wood beneath his boots the only sound between us. My fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt. The heat of his body melted into mine, making me shiver for a whole different reason now.

At the top, he shifted me with ease and unlocked the door with one hand, then stepped inside. The room was small but warm, wooden floors, stone walls, and a fireplace already glowing in the corner. A single bed with dark sheets. A fur rug.

And a chair.

He placed me there, gently, like I was something fragile but burning in his hands.

My legs were still trembling, but I forced myself to sit upright. His hands brushed my face, tucking a wet strand of hair behind my ear. I could feel his eyes on me, so heavy and unreadable.

Then he spoke, voice low and sharp.

“I told you this journey wasn’t for you.”

I blinked at him, then smiled dryly.

“Then maybe you should’ve left me at the palace in silk sheets,” I said, unzipping the top of my black leather dress with deliberate slowness, “instead of dragging me through freezing rivers and enemy gates.”

The leather slipped off my shoulders, falling open. The firelight touched my skin, and my breasts spilled free, perky, wet, cold and tight from the chill, but still high with pride.