Blinking and wiping away the water from my eyes, I was distracted by how weird it was to be completely immersed in the legreto. Its increased denseness turned it almost into a suction as it clung to my body. I wish I knew more science to understand why that might be, but for now it was just a new fun thing to play with.
“I did not see that coming,” Emma spluttered behind me, sounding like she was choking.
Turning, I was mostly submerged, but she was standing up and I could see everything. Only, I also couldn’t. The water was draped across her breasts like an opaque swim suit. I stood as tall as I could then, glancing down to find I had the same thing happening on my body.
“Okay, that’s pretty freaking cool,” I said, running my hand across my chest. The water swished with my fingers. I could feel my skin, but I remained covered.
Emma flopped back then, her long hair trailing out behind her. “Some days it feels like I could live in Overworld forever,” she said wistfully. “Being born here, I believe there is a special connection between us and this world. That’s why it feels so much like home.”
I rubbed my arms, making sure all of the goo was gone. “Imperial feels like that for me, too,” I admitted. “But I wonder if it’s because its energy keeps me alive … it helped tether my soul to Daniel.” As soon as I mentioned his name, I felt a pang of worry. “Do you think they’re okay?”
“I’m sure they’re fine,” Marsil said, from where he was gliding around the large bathing bowl. “Laous is no match for all of the overlords.”
Nodding a few times, I put on a brave face before ducking under the water and scrubbing vigorously at my hair. Worrying like this was a new concept to me. I wasn’t sure what to do to stop my mind from dwelling on it.
As I popped my head up, it was just Emma and me again, the others having drifted off. Her expression was somber. “He was in a bad way when we found you.”
I stilled, taking a step toward her. “When you found me in that memory-wiping liquid?”
She nodded. “Daniel saved my life not long ago, and I have grown to care a lot for him. Lexen considers him a brother, and I’m starting to feel the same way. It was damn hard seeing him like that.” She looked like she was searching for the right words. “His eyes, Cal, they’re so sad. Every time I look into them, I want to hug the crap out of him.”
I chuckled, my heavy emotions giving it a strangled sound. She’d given me a nickname. I’d never had one of those. “I love his eyes,” I admitted. “I’ve never seen a color so rich and deep. And the gold through them … amazing.”
She was right, though. Daniel had sad eyes, and I understood why. He’d lost so much in his life. His older brother, mother, father, younger brother. On top of that, he had Laous constantly trying to kill him in those days before he became overlord. If anyone needed love and a safe haven, it was my Daniel. I wasn’t sure fate had chosen the best candidate for him. I was almost as damaged as he was, but maybe together we could be each other’s salvation.
“When we arrived at that warehouse, he took off,” Emma continued. “He knew which tank you were in, even though it was nowhere near the door. When we finally reached him, he was just standing … staring at you.” Her voice broke and I also had a huge lump in my throat, trying to claw its way out. “I’ve never seen someone so broken. I’m not sure he would have survived losing you.”
The tears were coming now, no stopping them. “How do you do it?” I asked her, sucking down the sobs. “I keep alternating between never wanting to leave Daniel’s side and wanting to run as far and fast as I can. Because I understand how he felt when he found me like that – losing him is not something I would recover from. I’ve had so little in my life, nothing really. To now finally have so much … I’m petrified to lose it all.”
I sensed she wanted to hug me, but since we were actually naked – although disguised as such – she just reached out and took my hand. “I understand better than you’d think. When the fire killed my parents, I lost a huge part of my heart and soul. I was devastated to the point I wasn’t sure I would ever be happy again.” Her focus shifted out into the trees surrounding us. “Then Lexen came along,” she whispered. “He made me feel so much, and at first it was angry emotions – I mostly wanted to throat-punch him – but once we got over our animosity, we realized there was a bond between us. A true bond.” She met my gaze again. “Am I afraid now that I might lose the best thing to ever happen to me…?” She nodded. “Hells yes … freaking terrified. But even if he died tomorrow, I would never give up the time I’ve had with him. Never. It’s worth every ounce of future heartache.”
I got that. I truly understood what she was saying. But I wondered if she would say the same thing if Lexen were gone. Maybe she just didn’t know how bad the heartache would be because it hadn’t happened yet.
She shrugged, a wiry smile crossing her face. “At least they are really hard to kill,” she joked. “Unlike Earth men, our guys are made extra tough.”
That definitely was a huge bonus. “I wish you didn’t have to lose your parents.” My heart ached for her. “It’s not fair.”
Her throat worked as she swallowed, opening and closing her mouth. Finally, she rasped, “Life is a bitch at times, but I know they want me to be happy, so I’m going to do my very best.”
Fuck it. I reached out and hugged her. It was just boobs, we both had them, no big deal. Emma gave me an extra tight squeeze and then we pulled away. Things got lighter after that. Chase, Marsil, and Star eventually made their way over to us and we talked and relaxed in the water. The pool constantly rose and fell as the trees took and filtered the water, returning it to the pool. Children, and even a few adult Leights, joined us, but for the most part, we were alone.
When we were clean and ready to get out, the tube slid us back up into the change sections. New clothing was waiting inside, neatly folded in a small pile. My uniform was gone, taken away to hopefully be burned. Dressed, I stepped out with wet hair and a lighter heart. The shirt and shorts I wore were simple, a lightweight material, the same shade as sand. The underwear was built in, which was surprisingly comfortable.
When we were all dressed, it was time for food, my stomach doing flip flops in delight. I was ready to eat all the things. Chase was at my side as we crossed the wooden path again, back to that huge round area designated for food and gatherings. “It’s really peaceful here,” I found myself saying.
“I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.” His voice had this amazing ability to paint pictures just with the beautiful cadence of his tone. “I’m really happy that Daniel found you,” he said, changing the subject. “For too long he has been alone.”
I forced myself not to think about Daniel, because there was no way I could shed more tears. It was turning into a joke. “You seem to be very … alone, in a way. People have waved and bowed and acknowledged you. I can see they respect and care for you as their leader, but they are distant.” I had no real excuse for being so blunt and forward. In my need to not think about Daniel, I also forgot to think about Chase’s feelings. “I’m sor—” I started, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.
“You’re right,” he acknowledged. “The Leights are very big on respect, and the overlord and his family always stand slightly apart from the rest of the villagers.”
“Probably doesn’t help that you move constantly, never settling in one place, never having a true sense of community.”
He nodded, his long, thick lashes framing his eyes as he blinked. “I’m used to it by now.” I heard the resignation in his voice. He might be used to it, but he didn’t particularly like it.
“You, Lexen, Xander, and Daniel … that makes sense to me now.”
He stilled. “What do you mean?”
