A giggle bubbled out of me. “I’m doing it!”
“You’re doing it, princess,” Skel praised.
Hunter gave a small nod of approval from where he stood in front of me. “Now, let’s try moving.”
Reed took over, demonstrating a slow, even kick.
I mimicked him, and soon I was gliding through the water on my back, awkward but improving. All I had to do was stand, and the water wouldn’t drown me. I was safe to try.
Hunter taught me how to move to my stomach, and I could stay afloat in longer periods, now.
Bram, though, was struggling himself.
“Why can I not stay afloat?” he demanded, his powerful frame thrashing as he tried to mimic our movements.
“Maybe because you’re panicking like a drowning cat?” Skel snickered.
“Iamdrowning, you ass!” Bram sputtered before promptly sinking.
Laughter rang through the air as Reed reached over, gripping Bram by the arm and helping him up. “You are not drowning. Stand up. You’re just terrible at swimming.”
Bram grumbled, flipping his wet hair out of his face as he stood. “Chaos magic would be so much easier.”
“Didn’t you swim here before with us? Why are you struggling now?” Dex laughed at him.
“I used my snake to glide me through,” he admitted. “Plus, Icanswim when I need to, but it’s just difficult when it’s not life-threatening.”
“Well, we can’t all cheat with a giant snake,” Dex told him before turning back to me. “Alright, Pandora, let’s see you swim to me.”
I hesitated, then kicked off. My arms pushed through the water, and the cold no longer felt breath-stalling.
I reached Dex, breathless but smiling.
“Great job, trouble.” His arms wrapped around me as he pressed his lips to mine.
“You did it,” Hunter said, his voice filled with pride.
“Yeah,” I breathed, pulling back from Dex and laughing as the sun glistened off the rippling surface. “I did!”
* * *
After we ate the lunch Reed and Skel packed for us, we took a walk along the bridge that led up to the cliff.
I felt the weight of the past pressing down on me from the last time I’d run up this bridge, but the warmth of Reed’s hand in mine kept me grounded.
“This was where we had our first kiss,” I murmured, looking up at him. “It was my first kiss.”
Reed smiled, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “I love that. I was trying really hard not to be awkward.”
I laughed, but my breath hitched when his lips descended on mine. His kiss was perfect as usual, and I tasted cotton candy on his tongue.
Skel suddenly grabbed me and pulled me into another searing kiss. His hands slid possessively down my back.
Before I could recover, Dex claimed my lips next, his touch setting me on fire.
I felt their jealousy streaking through the bonds.
Bram pouted. “What about me?”
