I nodded.
“How odd. And we are to walk into it?”
I nodded again.
“What does it prove?” she asked, she squatted down and held her hand to the water’s edge. The glow within the water extended out towards her.
“It is magic leftover from Melania’s time. No one knows who found the pools, but only those with prophecy can enter,” I said. “If our prophecies are still on track, we’ll be able to enter. If not, we’ll get no further than where we are.”
“Really?” she replied, standing up in awe.
I nodded and folded my arms watching her. She was even more beautiful in the light of the pools. The blue caught the shapes of her face and heightened their charm.
“Well then, I guess we should check.” Feyra stripped her robes off and stood before the pool naked. She stepped in and walked until she was submerged. “I guess I still have my prophecy.”
“Lady Skol is still alive,” I replied.
“Your turn,” she said, floating further out into the pool.
“Fine.” I took my boots off and stood in the water.
Feyra’s face went blank. “What’re you doing?” She was shocked and angry.
I cracked up laughing. “I’m in the pool. I never said you had to be naked.”
Feyra’s face turned livid. “Why you–I can’t believe you! Actually, no, I can.” She swam towards me.
I kept laughing and shook my head as I took my shirt off. “Don’t worry, I’ll join you so you don’t feel embarrassed.”
But Feyra was already coming back to the bank and getting out. “Nope, you’ve ruined it.”
I kept laughing. “I’m sorry, I should have said.”
“Yes, you should have.” She turned away from me and put her clothes back on. She was muttering about my childishness.
But when she turned back I was serious. “I know it wasn’t a nice joke, and I apologize.” I put my hand out for her to take.
She took it and gave it a limp shake. Then I quickly embraced her and kissed her passionately, squeezing her body against mine. “Truthfully, I am,” I said. “But I only did it because I would rather have you remember me in a good light, of us having fun, than everything being serious.”
“What are you on about?” Feyra said, seeing my change.
She pulled back slightly, but I wouldn’t let her go. “Our prophecies have stated what we’ll do, but we don’t know about the other side.”
“Dion, why are you being like this?” Feyra looked hurt. “Stop. Stop–”
“No,” I said, holding her close again. “These last months have been the best of my life, and I’ve been fortunate enough to spend them with you. But whatever happens, know that I’ll always love you.”
“You know that I love you as well, and will love you after the fact too.” Feyra frowned. “Do you know something I don’t? Is there more to the prophecy? Is there–”
“I’m just–don’t worry,” I said. “Forget I said anything.”
Feyra stared at me for a long time. She shut off her wolf sense to me and used all of her power to stare inwards of me. I let her. I had bared my fears, but hidden my dreams.
She hugged me then, pulling me tight against her. “Don’t scare me like that,” she said.
I felt her wolf sense come back.
“I won’t,” I said. “Never again.”
