Water poured from Serena's lungs in violent, retching coughs. She was on her side, but she didn't remember being moved.
Someone's hand was on her back, firm and constant, holding her through each convulsion like they'd hold her through a thousand more if that's what it took.
Fin's arms went under her, picking her up.
She had been many things tonight. Brave. Terrified. Defiant. Drowning. But she had not been held. Not until now. And the difference between fighting alone and being held by someone who would rather die than drop you was so vast she didn't have a word for it.
Her eyes closed and when they opened, she was being carried through a portal.
Portal travel while semi-conscious: zero out of ten. Would not recommend. The light hurt, the transition made her stomach flip, and she was fairly certain her soul arrived three seconds after her body.
