“The longer I’m here, the stranger I feel.”
I frown looking down at her. “What do you mean?”
Everly’s eyes dart off to the side, avoiding me. “It will sound stupid.”
I curl my finger under her chin, drawing her attention back to me. “Tell me.”
“I’m finding my energy is different.” She sighs heavily, biting her bottom lip. “It’s hard to explain.”
“Try,” I urge.
“I can sense the energy around me, especially when I’m outside. It’s as if nature itself is reaching for me, brushing along my body, welcoming me. I feel alive, like . . . ” She blinks and her cheeks turn rosy. “See? Stupid.”
“No, it’s not. Maybe you have some magic after all.”
She blinks, then blinks again, shaking her head. I notice a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, the color morphing from brown to a striking green for a split second before returning to normal. But I know what I just saw. Everly is more than she seems.
“Come on.” I gesture for us to swim back through the waterfall.
Everly nods, and we glide through the water, feeling the weightlessness and the gentle resistance of the currents. Emerging on the other side, Everly’s smile spreads across her face, exuding pure happiness.
“I love it here.”
“I will bring you as often as I can,” I promise.
Everly pauses suddenly, and I notice a shift in the air around her, making my body tense. My eyes scan the shore, searching for any sign of movement, but it remains empty.
“What is it?”
“That’s the fox I saw that day by the stream.”
I turn to where she is pointing, and sure enough, there is a frostflare.
“You see it, right?” she asks.
“Yes, it’s a frostflare. They are extremely rare and never seen around here. They prefer the solitude of the deeper forest, where their blue and white coat allows them to disappear into the scenery. Rumor has it that the mythical creatures are guarding the ancient secrets hidden in the forest.”
According to legends, the frostflares are said to possess otherworldly intelligence. Eyes, radiant like pools of sapphire, contain the knowledge of centuries past. They move with a grace that mirrors the dance of snowflakes on a winter breeze, leaving no trace of their movement. It’s been a long time since one has been seen.
“To have one show you favor is a great honor and privilege. If this one is following you, then it must trust you. And gaining the trust of one is no easy feat.”
Slowly, I swim toward the rocky shore. The air is thick with a sense of mystery, as if the very fabric of reality has been altered by the fleeting presence of the frostflare. I turn my gaze back to Everly, studying her intently. There is an undeniable connection between her and the creature, an invisible thread that binds them together. I know now for certain that she possesses a dormant magic, waiting to be awakened. But for now, she remains oblivious to her true potential. I won’t rush her, though. She must unravel her memories and unleash her magic in her own time.
“It’s gone,” Everly pouts as she attempts to navigate the slippery rocks.
I reach out my hand and help her step out of the water. The sight of the water cascading down her body like shimmering stars has me hard again. I watch as it caresses every curve before pooling at her feet.
“We lost my underwear,” she admits shyly.
“You don’t need them.” I pull her into me.
Immediately, she pushes up on her toes, her lips on mine. A groan sounds from my chest as my arms wrap around her waist, anchoring her to me. We stand there completely naked, and I want nothing more than to lay her down and take her again. But it’s getting late, and I don’t want her to get sick.
Drawing back, I look down at her. “You drive me fucking wild, Stóirín.”
Everly bites her lip, trying to suppress her grin. A subtle pulling sensation courses through my chest, and I sense my magic intertwining with an unknown force, both reaching out to her. I close my eyes and concentrate on the feeling, and in my mind’s eye, I watch as Everly’s magic, her spirit reaches for mine, and the two energies entwine. My body jolts, and I feel her tense, a small gasp falling from her lips. My eyes flash open, and I stare down at her, a sense of wonder filling my chest, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s her. I’m feeling her wonder.
There is no doubt in my mind she is my soulmate.
