Chapter 42: Dragged Back to Shore
Nadeira's body shot upward as if the water itself rejected her.
She crashed onto the sand, coughing, choking, water pouring from her mouth.
Every muscle in her body felt like it was being burnt by hot water, her tail was gone, and so her legs returned...
She tried to sit, tried to catch her breath, but when her eyes cleared, she saw boots. Dozens of them.
"Oh shit!" A small gasp escaped Nadeira's lips.
The land king's guards surrounded her with their spears drawn.
One of them barked, "Get her up."
Another muttered, "The king is furious she missed council."
Rough hands pulled her up by the arms. Her knees buckled, and she nearly fell again, but they kept dragging her forward.
"I can walk," she coughed again, trying to stand on her own. "Let go."
The guard sneered. "You're lucky we don't chain you. The king wants answers."
