CHAPTER 48
Iwalked north, Marshen in tow.
“What?”
“I know this might make me sound a little crazy, but Alma told me that there are natural pools close to the waterfall.”
“Delia, youalwayssound a little crazy.”
I gave him a partial eye roll. “Will you come with me? I want to learn how to swim. Give water that isn’t trying to drown me a second try.” As the words left my mouth, my belly swelled with a mixture of fear and excitement.
“I see. Sure, why not?”
We came across a few people along the way—a young couple, and farther up, a family of five. I introduced myself and asked the usual questions. Still, no luck.
At least Marshen didn’t say or ask anything annoying. With his Fae hearing, I was sure he heard my questions and must have realised that what I was looking for were answers about my family.
The view before us was something a painter would want to paint, then keep it all to himself. A majestic waterfall cascaded to our left, its curtain trailing into a bed of calm turquoise sea. Dark grey slate rocks and colossal boulders protected the natural pools from the sea of wrath. The smell of salt water filled me with inconsistent emotions—a blend of heartache and longing. Safety and fear.
Marshen stripped down to his undershorts and dove in headfirst.
“The water’s perfect,” he bellowed, before launching into a series of dives.
My eyes rolled. “Show-off.”
The way these Fae males often acted like children was beyond my comprehension…and they were practically elderly. I wondered how old Marshen was.
“Come on, I won’t let you drown. I promise.”
I approached the rocky edge in my undergarment and camisole. I sat down, my feet dangling into the cool water.
“Just take my hand the moment I get in, all right?”
“All right, come on in already.”
I took a deep breath, then pushed myself off the rock and into the water. I felt as if I would remain there, below the surface, but kicking and thrashing my legs got my head out of the water. “Omph.”
Remaining upright required a tiring amount of flailing, and I struggled to keep the water below my chin. Marshen grabbed me from my arms and pulled me back.
“What are you doing?” I blurted.
“Just trust me, all right. Relax. Allow your legs to lift, and your back to rest against the water. That’s it. Open your arms…now your legs. Become the Element.” Marshen held his palm at my back. I imagined myself to be a piece of ice, slowly melting into the sea. I floated, looking at the fluffy white clouds that drifted like tufts of cotton in the clear blue sky.
This isn’t a misty wasteland. This is…dreamland.
“Relax,” Marshen repeated. “If you stay calm, like this, you’ll float…I’m letting you go now.”
“Mmhmm,” I said, my tone pitched. I was afraid that I’d be sucked in the second Marshen let go of me, but when he releasedhis arm, I remained afloat. A laugh escaped my mouth. “I’m doing it.”
“See, you’re a natural.”
“I’m doing it,” I repeated. And I truly was. I floated, swam, and even dared to dive a few times. But only while Marshen was in his animal form. It was exhilarating—the freedom and the weightlessness of it all. And below, the world hushed, the sounds muffled, so far away.
The colourful little fish were visible through the crystal clear water, but that didn’t keep me from opening my eyes into the salty tang. It was truly otherworldly.
I braided my damp hair on our way back. “So…what’s the plan?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
