Without responding, and with the water finally up to my waist, I dove forward into what I could tell was a deeper part of the creek. Being that itwasn’ta large body of water, itdidn’tgo as deep asI’dhave liked to go, butI’dmake do.
I kicked my feet a few times, keeping my wings wrapped around myself topreserve heat, and approached the rocky bottom. There, Ilaid withmy back against the rocks and my face toward the sky. I could still feel the kiss of the sun on my face, but just barely.
I used just a touch of myziriliumto move the water in a way that held me in place. And each time my breath nearly ran out, I reached for bubbles within the water around me and guided them into my lungs. Acoupletimes, I reached far enough to take fresh air from above the water.
Down there, with the weight of the water all around me, Ididn’thave to think about everything that was riding on our success—onmysuccess. Down there, it was just me, the water, the rocks, and a few tiny yet curious fish.
And if a few salty tearsmixedwith the fresh water surrounding me, well, nobody was the wiser.
My hair floated all around me, and I was just beginning to feel at peace with the absence of my usual thoughts and anxieties, when two large arms wrapped around me and tugged me back towards the surface.
My eyes flew open as I slipped out of the tranceI’dbeen in, only to see Byn pulling me up.
Within seconds, and no time to fight against him,we’dbroken the surface of the water. I listened as he gasped for air, while Ihadn’tneeded to.
“What were you thinking?” I reeled on him, my emotions returning full force.
“Me?What wereyouthinking?” He threw his hands in the air, his soaked hair falling into his face.
“I wield waterandair, Byn! I was fine down there!” I reasoned.
His concerned expression faltered slightly, seeming to understand that he might have made a mistake.
I looked toward the shore, only to see Matea and Laurence heading into the forest. Giving us privacy even without being asked.
Stars, did I appreciate those two.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Byn said softly after I looked back towards him.
I sighed, but before I could respond, a cool breezelicked atmy skin, sending chills down my spine. The two of us were still standing in the creek, the water up to our thighs.
“Come on,” I said softly as I walked toward the shore.
Once we were both back on dry land, I closed my eyes and focused. Byndidn’tspeak as I did so, seeming to understand that whatever I was about to do, I needed to concentrate.
I reached into myself, searching for the zirilium that felt cool to the touch. Not freezing, but refreshing.
OnceI’dreconnected with my waterzirilium, I slowly moved my hands in a motion that looked like I was grooming Eden—large swipes in the air in front of where I knew Byn was standing. With those motions, I slowly collected the entirety of the water that clung to him, holding it in the air until I hadevery lastdrop. Shifting my hands slightly, the watermoved to be over the creek again, where I funneled it back into the streamwe’dgotten it from.
I couldn’t let my husband freeze to death.
Nor myself, I supposed.
A moment later, I too was completely dry. The cool air coming off the mountains still slid over my form, but it wasmore of a comfortthan anything.
Like a small piece of what I used to call home.
Now, my home stood in front of me.
Looking more anxious than ever, actually.
“What was that?” Byn asked as he gently took my hand, guiding me to sit on the ground in front of him.
“I just… needed a break. From the thoughts.”
Byn’s gaze softened, and I could feel through our soul-tie that hetruly understoodwhat I was saying.
“I know what you mean. But… a quick heads-up next time would be greatly appreciated.”
