Page 7

Remembering her regret at missing the opportunity to dance with him, she mustered her courage and walked slowly into the water.

He walked towards her and held out his hand.

Slowly, he led her into the water, deeper, deeper, until it was to her waist. Gaia, it felt wonderful—cold, but not too cold, and the air was still warm from the heat of the sun, which had slowly set behind the trees, bathing them in purple darkness.

Looking down at her, Ty moved closer and reached around her waist, tugging her into him. Above the fresh smell of the water, she could smell his skin. A heady combination of cedar and stone. Woodsmoke and honey.

“How’s that?” he asked, swallowing visibly as their bodies touched. This was the first time she’d seen him even slightly out of sorts. She could tell he was just as affected by this as she was.

“That’s good,” she said.

He held her as he slowly walked them deeper into the water, until her toes no longer touched the bottom. She felt the moment his feet left the river bottom too, and he started to tread water. She reached her arms up around his neck and held tight, fear gripping her suddenly.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you.” He grinned down at her. “Just hold on to me and I’ll take you for a swim.”

He released her waist as she clutched her arms around his neck tighter, bringing her face next to his.

Using his arms, he pushed them around the water in smooth, relaxing glides.

Ena smiled despite herself. It felt otherworldly.

She could feel the current rushing around them, and Knew the water wanted them to join it, but Ty was strong enough to keep them from flowing into it.

She found herself enjoying the sensation as he swam them across to the eddy on the other side.

“Okay, now for the dip.”

“What?” Ena barely got the word out before he grabbed her waist and pulled her under with him.

She felt the water cover her for one second, then two, before they came bursting to the surface.

She gasped for air, using one hand to wipe her hair out of her face and the water from her eyes, while the other clutched tightly to Ty’s hard shoulder.

“What the fuck?!” she sputtered.

Ty, water dripping from his long lashes, looked at her and laughed.

Taking her knee, Ena rammed it as hard as she could into his thigh, but the resistance from the water softened the blow so it was actually more of a nudge. Feeling that her point had not come across, she took her free hand and went to slap him on the shoulder, but he caught her wrist.

“Oh, come on. You loved it,” he said, grinning at her mischievously.

Despite herself, she couldn’t help the small echoing smile that tugged at her mouth as her heart raced. Now that the initial adrenaline rush was wearing off, it was finally hitting her. She had gone under the water—she was swimming! A swell of pride and contentment filled her chest.

She laughed back at him lightly, shaking her head. “You’re reckless,” she said.

“That’s probably true,” he replied, as he started gliding them around in the water again.

They continued on that way for several minutes, enjoying the quiet of the evening, and the cooling air. The current bubbled serenely around them, the sound and motion soothing, and Ena soon found herself relaxing in Ty’s arms as he swam them back and forth across the river.

When the stars began to come out, he slowly made his way back to the shore, and they both emerged from the water dripping wet.

As they trudged up onto the beach side by side, Ena couldn’t help but notice the way the water made his pants hang low on his hips, highlighting the v-shaped muscles that disappeared below them.

Quickly glancing away, she hurried to retrieve her bodice, feeling his eyes on her as she did so.

Looking down at herself, she could see that her dress was plastered to her body, displaying her shape and the rosy color of her areolas.

Facing away from him, she picked up her bodice and pulled it back over her head before she re-tightened the laces on the front.

Turning around, now semi-decent, she found him looking at her with that intense gaze again.

She cleared her throat. “Thanks for the swim,” she said, trying to break the tension.

“Anytime,” he replied, one corner of his mouth tipping up into a smile. The tension refused to break as he continued looking at her.

“Well, I guess we should get back to the gathering,” she offered.

“Actually, I’ve got to go back to my camp for the night. My uncles are probably waiting for me,” he replied, sounding regretful.

“Oh.” Ena nodded at his explanation, trying to hide her disappointment.

“Can I see you tomorrow?” he asked.

“Tomorrow?” she repeated, her hope renewed.

“Yeah, we’ll still be here for a few more days trading and gathering supplies for the journey home.”

“Oh, okay. Sure. I’ll have chores to attend to in the morning, but I could meet you in the afternoon,” Ena replied, still trying to catch up to her whiplashed emotions.

“Good,” he said, giving her that charming smile again. “I’ll meet you here at midday.”

“Alright,” she replied, giving him a smile in return.

He paused, looking down at her. His eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight, and Ena felt a shiver run through her at the sight.

“Good night, Ena,” he said quietly, then he turned to walk back into the darkening woods.