“You are.” I giggled, and he smirked at Damien.
“Only thing is, if something goes wrong, I can't phase under water.”
“I can teleport you back if I feel any urgency in the bond,” Kian said, his eyes now brimming with worry.
“Useful to have a warlock around.” Alister smacked Kian’s back, and Kian went red.
Damien rolled his eyes before his arm shot out, and he grabbed my throat, pulling me from Thorn into him. “Don't take any unnecessary risks. If you do, I’ll punish you until your ass is red.”
Heat unfurled in my lower abdomen, and Alister groaned.
“Really, sweet ruby? That turned you on?”
“Always at the most inopportune times,” Thorn muttered.
“Everything about all of you turns me on,” I admitted as Damien let me go. “Do we have to wear these, though?” I gestured to the wet suits that we wore.
Thorn smiled, letting his eyes graze over the suit that hugged every part of my body. “They're enchanted. They allow for breathing and speaking underwater. Only for an hour, though. It has limits.”
“That’s really cool.” I twisted around and looked at the black suit. It was tight, and I wasn’t a huge fan of the slick material, but the enchantment made it worth it.
“We're only going to be under for fifteen minutes. Are you ready?” Thorn reached up and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.
We all shared a quick look before Kian wrapped me in his arms for a quick hug.
Damien brought his hands together in front of him before spreading them, and a large crack echoed through the valley, moving the frozen piece of ice on top of the lake. “I'll hold this until you get back, but if you're not up here in fourteen minutes, Kian is bringing you all back.”
“Be safe, sweetheart.” Kian pulled back with anxiety coursing through our bond.
“I will,” I promised.
Thorn waded into the water with me, and a shiver rolled through us as we smiled at each other.
“It’s cold, are you sure you don't want to hold back?” Thorn glanced back at Alister, who hesitated after the first step into the water.
“It's okay, if you can’t handle the cold. Wait here. I'll bring the crystal and you can inspect it then,” I murmured as the freezing water rippled around my calves.
“To be honest, you probably won't be able to fit in the cave. The cave is really small, and Wren may have to get the crystal herself.”
“I don't like the sound of that.” Alister frowned before taking another step in, shivers wracking his body fiercely. “I'm out,” he squeaked, jumping back onto land.
Damien snickered.
“Just because Icandeal with the freezing water, doesn't mean I want to,” he hissed at Damien.
His words struck a chord in my heart as I remembered the time Callie had said something similar. She would’ve been great to have come with us on this mission.
“What's wrong?” Kian asked.
“I was just thinking that what Alister said was really similar to what Callie had said before.”
“I'm sorry, sweet ruby.” Alister frowned, and I shook my head.
“I'm glad I have the memories of her. It’s not a bad thing, you know.” I smiled.
“Fifteen minutes,” Thorn repeated, but Damien shook his head.
“Fourteen.”
