Forever Breathing (Just Breathe #3)

Forever Breathing

Just Breathe Book 3

Heather Allen

Published by Heather Allen

Copyright 2013 Heather Allen

Cover Art by B Design

All Rights Reserved. This book contains material protected under the International and Federal copyright laws and treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without express written permission from the author/publisher.

***

Dedicated to my readers!

alWithout you my dream wouldn’t have been realized.

My you be taken away to the sea once again!

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Contents

Chapter 1 Ever

Chapter 2 Ever

Chapter 3 James

Chapter 4 Ever

Chapter 5 Ever

Chapter 6 James

Chapter 7 Ever

Chapter 8 Ever

Chapter 9 James

Chapter 10 Ever

Chapter 11 Ever

Chapter 12 James

Chapter 13 Ever

Chapter 14 James

Chapter 15 Ever

Chapter 16 James

Chapter 17 Ever

Chapter 18 James

Chapter 19 Ever

Chapter 20 James

Chapter 21 Ever

Chapter 22 James

Chapter 23 Ever

Chapter 24 James

Chapter 25 Ever

Chapter 26 James

Chapter 27 Ever

Chapter 28 James

Chapter 29 Ever

Chapter 30 James

Chapter 31 Ever

Chapter 32 James

Chapter 33 Ever

Chapter 34 James

Chapter 35 Ever

Chapter 36 James

Chapter 37 Ever

Chapter 39 Ever

Chapter 40 James

Chapter 41 Ever

Chapter 42 James

Chapter 43 Ever

Chapter 44 Ever

Chapter 45 James

Chapter 46 Ever

Chapter 47 Ever

Chapter 48 James

Chapter 49 Ever

Chapter 50 James

Chapter 51 Ever

Thou rememb'rest
Since once I sat upon a promontory
And heard a mermaid, on a dolphin's back,
Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath
That the rude sea grew civil at her song,
And certain stars shot madly from their spheres
To hear the sea-maid's music.
 

- William Shakespeare
          A Midsummer Night's Dream

Chapter 1

Ever

I knew something was wrong when I had a hard time lifting my arms and opening my eyes. But the alarm going off in my brain really started freaking me out when I realized air and not water was surrounding me, as it should be, deep in the sea.  Then I heard it, the most beautiful sound my ears have ever heard, his voice, Jack’s voice. My body relaxed slightly and I forced my eyes open. They fluttered and everything seemed blurry at first, but once I concentrated on that sound, like music to the deepest regions of my soul, I was able to focus. And focus I did on those eyes, the eyes that had me, merely months ago, at the words,’ Hi, I’m Jack’.

I watch as the green moves away and blue pushes through in those beautiful eyes. I will never be tired of that sight. I am the cause of it. What could be more incredibly fulfilling than to know that you put someone at ease enough to change a physical part of their being.

He repeats the beautiful sound again, “Hey, baby, how are you?”

I look up and get lost once again. My tongue feels like it’s wrapped in cotton. I lift my hand up to my mouth just to make sure it’s not.

My voice is barely audible, “I’m… ahhh… okay.”

He approaches the bunk and sinks down beside me. I take the moment to break my trance and look around. My face turns red as I realize we’re not alone. James is standing a few feet away next to Amber. The door is open and I can see others in the hall beyond. No one I recognize. Actually glancing around, I don’t recognize anything about this room. The walls appear to be jagged rock, like the inside of a cave.

I raise my hand to my head trying to remember; how did I get here and where
is
here, why is everyone standing around, staring at me? Jack grasps my hand. Electricity shoots up to my shoulder. I savor this feeling. I’ve missed it.

“Ever, do you remember what happened?”

I look around at the waiting eyes staring at me and think back. What did happen? It seems like we’re still in the sea but the room and hall, are obviously in air and everyone is standing around on legs.

I shake my head confused but as I meet Jack’s eyes again another face pops into my head;  girl’s. It’s the beautiful blonde, Sara, and my anger surfaces, as I glance over at my brother. He shifts uncomfortably and glances the other way. I frown. James was shot with an arrow by Sara, I remember that. And Jack, he explained why we were apart for what seemed like forever. He was kicked out of the Lior’s city because Sara followed him to the sea. She was delusional, thinking Jack loved
he Itr or something.  That girl was crazy. She tried to shoot me but my brother saved me. My heart fills just thinking about what he did. He was really into her, but she betrayed him. And my emotions return to anger.

I look around and rest on Jack’s perfect almond eyes. I lift my hand and push his brown hair out of his eye where it has fallen.

I nod slowly, “Yes, I think, it was Sara, she shot… James.” I choke out my brother’s name still in disbelief that it happened.

He frowns, moves closer, and squeezes my hand, “Yes, that happened, but do you remember after that?”

He looks down to our hands. I follow his gaze and something catches my eye at my side. A large bandage is covering the skin surrounding my ribs and it’s stained a rust color.

I frown letting go of his hand to touch the bandage. My hand lingers. I realize when I shift a little that there is a dull pain. I look back up questioning him.

I slowly stammer, “I…I… no I guess I don’t remember. What happened?”

He asks, “Tell me the last thing you
do
remember.”

I look up at James’ face and he’s frowning. Amber mirrors his look. I feel Jack’s hand on mine, slowly moving it away from the bandage.

“I guess I just remember when James healed himself and you.” I look into his eyes again.

“I remember, you told me about why you left and went to the Erebus. I guess that’s it.”

His hand squeezes around mine again and I get a slight flash of de’- ja vu. What are they not telling me and why do they all seem to be taking it so slow?

My face turns red again with frustration, “Just spit it out!”

Jack takes a deep breath, “Ever you were shot with an arrow. You lost a lot of blood. We were afraid…we were afraid we were going to lose you.” He stops but adds, “I was scared I was going to lose you.”

And again it feels as if it’s only Jack and me in the room. I reach up with my free hand and caress his cheek. I don’t want him to feel any pain. We’ve both felt enough for a life time.

His words and realization hit me suddenly, I was shot.
Oh boy
. I look around the room again for the umpteenth time and see the worry on their faces. They’re worried I’m going to have an ‘Ever’ freak out.

I smile at that thought and start giggling.

Jack whispers confused, “What are you laughing about? Are you alright?”

I giggle harder but confess once I can catch my breath, “You three were afraid I was going to flip out, weren’t you?”

They all smile carefully at the same time.

James pipes out sarcastically, “You are known to do that. We just decided to break the news to you very slowly.”

I stop suddenly and apologize as the question, who is to blame for my situation, hits me, “Oh James, I’m so sorry, it was Sara wasn’t ifona wasnt?”