Aurora inched away from him, putting a little distance between them inside the giant clam. "Whether the sea accepted me or not doesn't change my answer."
His unwavering certainty somehow frustrated her more than if he had argued. It felt as though nothing she said could shake his decision. She turned toward the opening of the clam, staring at the vast underwater world beyond.
Rays of moonlight drifted down through the crystal-blue water, illuminating the forests of coral and sea grass in a dreamlike glow. It was beautiful... yet she couldn't stop thinking about the four men on the surface. They had to be searching for her by now.
Kellen would blame himself for letting her wander alone. Elixir would probably fly over every mountain he could find. Reis would refuse to stop looking until he collapsed, and Asher... she couldn't even imagine his reaction if he received the news of her sudden disappearance.
She had to get back.
