“You don’t give him enough credit,” Magdala said. “Zephyr, I mean. He cares about you.”
Asherton didn’t reply.
“We need to discuss the coronation,” she said.
“I think we need to discuss last night.”
Magdala shook her head. “We don’t.”
“We really do.”
“You’re attractive, and you find me attractive. We were excited and tired and alone and we kissed. It happens.”
“Not like that.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m your bodyguard. I had a lapse in professional conduct that won’t happen again. Now, can we talk about the coronation?”
Asherton tapped his foot, then said abruptly, “No.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s not time to worry about that yet.”
“I am worrying about it. I’m worrying about it a great deal.”
“Why?”
“Because something might happen.”
“You know, Mags,” he said flatly, “sometimes I wish you were more vague. All this agonizing detail—exhausting.”
She sighed, her tenderness turning to familiar exasperation. Both of them relaxed—this felt safe, this felt comfortable.
“Now.” He stretched and she turned away so she wouldn’t see the strong line of muscle in his shoulders. “There’s something we need to do, but I don’t want you asking any questions until we get there.”
Magdala raised her eyebrows. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
He held out his hand. “Trust me.”
“Not a whit!”
But he snatched her hand anyway and led her through the house, out the front door, and down to the pond. The sun was up, golden summer light spilling through the trees. The water rippled, warm and green and humming with frogs. Golden and gray fish swam through lily pads, gulping insects from the water’s surface.
Asherton stopped and stepped away from her, then pulled off his shirt and trousers. “Come on,” he said.
“And do what?” she asked warily.
“Today, you’re learning to swim.”
“Oh, no.” She backed away from him. “I hate water.”
“Because you’re scared of it,” he said, following her. “If you knew how to swim, you wouldn’t hate it anymore.”
“No. Absolutely not. Ash! No!” She ran, but he chased after her, catching her around the waist. “You are a crueland unreasonable man!” She laughed, doubling over in his arms.
“And you’re a coward.” He lifted her off her feet and bore her, protesting, toward the pond. “Get in the water or I’ll tell Zephyr what happened in the cave!”
She gasped. “You wouldn’t dare!”
