She almost falls when he pulls away and winks before diving under the water toward the far side of the pool.
“That’s cheating!” she cries as she dives in after him.
She easily pushes the water to carry her toward him, and they both reach the boulder at the water’s edge at the same time.
“I heard you!” He laughs. “Accusing me of cheating? Which one of us is using magic to win a race against a poor, magic-less human? Hmm?”
Elowyn fights a smile as she pushes her hair back. “Fine. No magic. I’m still going to win.”
She doesn’t wait for his response as she dives under the water again, and he hurries after her.
“You’reyawningagain,”Rominysays softly as Elowyn tries to hide it after far too many races across their little pool, all of which she won. He pulls her close. “We should call it a night, love.”
She wants to say not yet, but he’s right. She’s fading quickly. At least she feels stronger today, even here in the heartlanding. That must be a good sign.
“I suppose you’re right,” she says.
Rominy studies her for a moment before smiling. “I have an idea of my own. Come on.”
He takes her hand and tugs her along, grabbing his shirt and her dress from the side of the pool as they go.
“Where are you taking us?” she asks. Not that it matters. She’d follow Rominy on any adventure.
“You’ll see.” Right before they break free of the foliage, he turns to look at her. “Close your eyes.”
Without hesitating, she lets her lashes dust her cheeks as a smile sneaks onto her face, and Rominy holds her around the waist from behind.
“Now open them,” he whispers near her ear as shivers race to her toes.
And she gasps at the sight awaiting her on the sand at the water’s edge.
Under the Stars
Episode 88
DidRominywishforthat? He must have. It wasn’t there when they crossed this patch of sand on their way to the pool.
And it’s magnificent.
Elowyn takes in the massive instrument sitting on the shore as if it belongs there, the moonlight gleaming off its ebony shell.
“It’s a piano,” she breathes. Tharios told her about the stringed human instrument, but she’s never encountered one. She pictured them smaller.
And beside it sits the familiar bed from their cottage.
“I thought I might serenade you as you fall asleep under the stars,” Rominy whispers.
“You can play this instrument?”
He shrugs.
“I may swoon, Rominy Montarac.”
He smiles as he steps in front of her, walking backward in the sand toward the piano he requested from the heartlanding. “Swoon to your heart’s content, love. Just don’t catch fire. Not tonight, anyway.”
Then he turns and slides onto the bench in front of that glistening black monstrosity with its ivory keys. With a glance over his shoulder, his fingers take their places asif coming home to something so familiar he could find his way in his sleep.
And then he plays.
