He paused. “I’m fine with it, if you are, Svana,”
“You are?” I asked.
“Aye.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” he said. “It’s not like it’s my first time in a pond with half-naked strangers.”
“It’snot?”I asked.
He shrugged. “If you want to leave, we’ll leave. My loyalty is to you.”
“I don’t want to leave,” I said. “I just… I don't want you to tell Elías that I don’t want to leave.”
“Are you absolutely mad?” he asked. He motioned toward Mr. Evergreen. “Do you think I want the Lord Commander to know I let you swim like this?”
“No?”
“And with him?” he asked. “No thanks. He’d probably murder me for it.”
“Maybe. He would definitely end Mr. Evergreen,” I said.
Willoughby danced his brow. “Absolutely. But if you’re fine with sacrificing him…” He shrugged off his shirt and, with a cheeky grin,purposelyfell backward into the water with a loud smack.
I darted back to avoid getting wet, and, after a few moments of careful, terrified consideration, I pulled the fastening loose from my dress. Josie asked if I needed help, but I said no, and when the beaded thing struck the bed, I simply moved out of it. I stopped near the edge. Willoughby offered his hand from the water.
“He might spare Jocelyn,”I whispered. “But not, um…” I swallowed. “Not me. No, I’ll be the first to go, I think.”
Cyrus treaded in place, barely past my cousin. He said, “Get in the water, Swan.”
“Is it cold, Mr. Evergreen?” I called.
“Youcanswim, right?” he asked.
“Of course I can swim,” I said. “Is itcold?”
“Are you sure you can swim?” he teased.
I nodded. “I’m quite sure.”
Willougby began to say something, but Miss Jocelyn splashed him. He turned and cocked his head. She giggledand hurried from him; he swam after her. My Sword was not distracted. He came closer, until it was shallow enough that he could stand, then he walked out and toward me.
“Get in the water, Swan,” he repeated.
I shook my head and badly attempted to turn for my clothes, but Mr. Evergreen kept advancing, bearing a playful,predatorylook in his eyes. His shirt clung to his body like he was molded from clay, sculpted by the hands of an expert at the peak of his craft, and the light colored fabric against his peachy, sun-kissed skin more than hinted at the inspiring shape beneath.
“W-What are you doing?” I asked, arming myself with a shoe. “Stay back!”
He dipped, threatening to collect me at the legs, and I scooted one way, holding my heel tighter. He did it again, and I gulped.
Then I stalled, blatantly admiring his form, unable to resist the thought that his clothes left nothing to the imagination and only showcased how taut his chest was as he moved. I was lightheaded. He forced me toward the woods and to where I’d have to step down stone to escape. Then he was so quick that I could not avoid him, and I even dropped my shoe.
“You can swim, can’t you?” he asked as he snaked around my hips and threw me over his shoulder, like an absolute rogue. “Speak now or forever hold your peace!”
“Help! What are youdoing?”I cried, pounding my fists into his back. “Put me down this instance!”
“As you wish it, Your Highness,” he said, but only to release me into the water.
