“You know the rules, right?” The game master approaches us. “The first one to save five plums wins the prize.”
We both nod.
Daegel’s eyes dance with amusement and a challenge. I’m more than willing to accept it.
The game master puts two fingers in his mouth and whistles. Without a second thought or last glance at Daegel, I plunge my face into the water with my mouth open.
Water streams up my nose and throat, but I manage to catch the first plum. I bite on it, and it slips.Gods damn it!
I ignore the sting from the water going up my nose and keep my eyes shut tight. After a few more attempts, I finally bite into the plum and pull it out.
When I spit it out and open my eyes, I see Daegel’s wet face with a large plum in his mouth. His dark hair sticks to his forehead, and his lush eyelashes are full of water drops. Something about this view makes hysterical laughter rise inside me.
Daegel spits the plum out. “What’s so funny?”
I shake my head. “I wish I could have captured you with that plum in your mouth. Like a roasted piggy on a plate during a Wetran winter feast.”
I mimic the sound of a pig, and burst into laughter again. Daegel laughs, too. Before I know it, he dives for the second plum. All humor is gone, and I push my face into the water once more.
No way I’ll let him win this one.
This time around, I’m quick to bite into a plum and pull it out. But Daegel is quicker, again. He winks and dives for the third.
I’m right behind him.
The water is in my eyes, and my nose, even my throat, and I almost choke on it as I desperately try to catch the third one. When I finally get one and pull it out, Daegel’s head is still in the water. I have no clue whether he’s still trying to catch the third one, or if he’s already onto his fourth.
I don’t wait to find out. I dive again.
My teeth are vicious, and I hold my breath while I catch the fourth plum. I spit it out, and Daegel’s head pops up. I pay no attention to him and dive again. Every muscle in my body trembles with adrenaline.
The fifth one takes some time.
It keeps slipping and I growl in frustration. Bubbles rise from my nose and then water gets deeper, into my lungs. I choke, and the desire to pull my head out the water is overwhelming.
But I don’t give in.
I bite the damn plum, and the third time I get a grip. I rise and let go of it so I can cough the water out. The crowd around me cheers, but I’m too busy heaving on all fours to check if they’re cheering for me or Daegel.
“Phoenix Wildarrow, the winner!” the game master shouts and there is a round of loud applause.
When I can finally breathe again, I pull myself up and look around. Daegel rises at that moment, a plum in this mouth.
He spits it out and coughs. “Nicely played, princess. Congratulations.”
I can’t lie—it pleases me that I win against him, even if it’s just a silly game.
Smugly, I get up and he follows suit. The game master hands me the prize—a paper plate with sliced plums drizzled with homemade caramel. I snort at the prize, but thank the man.
“Want some?” I offer Daegel the plate once we’re farther away from the game area. “I think you deserve a treat for participation.”
He takes one piece and pops it into his mouth. “So kind of you to share.”
“I can be nice,” I say and take a bite of the juicy plum. The caramel is salty and sweet, and melts on my tongue. “When I want to.”
“Oh, I’m well aware.”
We lock gazes, slowly walking through the crowd. I don’t know where we’re going, and for a moment I forgot that we shouldn’t. Daegel and I shouldn’t be this close, our shoulders touching. We shouldn’t be sharing a plum.
