Chapter 78. Sweet Sensation

Hycinth

I heard Mimi's words of comfort, but her sentiment didn't curb my rapidly increasing anxiety. I couldn't breathe. Something was wrong.

The progression had been subtle, gradually strengthening, and I'd been so immersed in the drum beats I hadn't even realized the moist liquid had violated my defenses and crawled down my throat. Now, it burned me from the inside, strangling my lungs, suffocating me.

How had I not realized its potency before?

What liquid had they used? It couldn't have been water as I previously assumed.

I began to thrash, water splashing around us.

Instantly, Leander turned and repositioned himself on his knees. One of his large hands grasped the back of my neck, his fingers twining into my floating hair. His other hand wrapped around my chest, locking my arms by my sides and keeping me flat against the water.

"Leander," I gasped.

His grip tightened. "Focus on me, love. You have to relax. You must calm down. You