Page 81 of Her Ivory Flame

“I’ll get my boots on,” she said quietly and he stepped out of the tent silently.

It only took her a few minutes to put her boots on and tie her hair up out of her face. The rain would cause it to plaster across her cheek and it wasn’t going to be convenient hiking to the water.

She saw Finnley, Raine, and Kaden standing together, all looking at her like they were waiting for her impatiently. She sighed and walked to them, her eyes glancing at the water running off the alcove.

“Why don't we just stand under one of these to wash?” she said loud enough to be heard over the rain.

“Oh come on, you know you want to go to the waterfall.” Raine said with a smile and she knew her friend was right. “Plus, it's probably full of nasty bacteria.”

“Let’s go.” Finnley smiled and they all started up the same trail her and Kaden had ventured up before.

Kaden took the lead, with Finnley in the back and both girls in between. She knew it was just the order they were used to but she didn’t fight to be in the back where she would have preferred.

Her mind was foggy, sleep still heavy in her eyes but she knew she needed to get out of whatever funk she was in. She needed to focus, and found it to be harder these days.

They made it to the waterfall, Finnley and Raine immediately stripping to their undergarments and jumping into the water. She turned to see Kaden stripping his shirt off and she turned away, her cheek instantly heating.

“C’mon!” Raine yelled “The water is warm.”

Her eyes were on the woods, trying hard not to look back at Kaden who she could see much better in the daylight.

She let herself sneak a peak at him over her shoulder, his broad shoulders completely lean with muscles and she felt her insides start to warm.

Beauty was the first thing that came to mind as she stared at him, his muscles moving effortlessly under his skin as he continued to undress. She saw his lip curve into a smirk and she instantly realized he knew she was watching.

Quickly, she diverted her eyes and started to strip her own clothes down. She tugged at the tie in her hair and felt it fall down her mostly bare back, just a chest wrap and underwear on withMjölnir hanging down her chest. The breeze made her skin perk but she wasn’t going to complain if it meant she was outside in nature.

Splashing could be heard behind her and she spun to see Finnley and Raine taunting each other with water. Kaden was standing waist deep, looking away from her as if he was waiting for something, or maybe her.

She relished in the feeling of the water wrapping around her skin as she waded into the water with the rain pouring down. Kaden’s hand was extended out to her and she took it even though she didn’t need to.

The ground was soft and she had perfect balance, but the selfish part of her was going to take whatever kindness he would offer, especially since she could now handle his touch without going into a panic. She felt a familiar sensation on her fingertips as her hand slid into his, his calloused hand wrapping around hers gently.

“Thank you,” she whispered and stepped closer to him, the water now around her ribs when standing next to him.

She could see Finnley and Raine across the water now, heading towards the water fall. A low giggle came from her chest, the look of happiness on Raine’s face making her feel a spark of warmth.

“Don’t worry, he’s a good guy.” Kaden said next to her, their hands still clasped together.

“I hope so, I don’t want to have to cut his balls off for hurting my only friend.” she chuckled.

“Only friend?” he questions, his eyebrow raising extra high.

“Are we friends?” she teased. “Cause you can be such a dick to me sometimes.”

She watched his face curve into a genuine smile, one she had only seen once before and she knew she was in trouble.

She tried to dive away from him, but his hand gripped her tighter and pulled her towards him. He picked her up and she let out a playful scream as he launched her upward before falling into the water.

The feeling of being fully submerged in natural water felt like an awakening in her body, the flow of nature pulsing around.

She let herself sink down into the body of water, her eyes opening after a few seconds and she could see Kaden diving after her.

His eyes met hers, ones that held no hate or anger and if she didn’t know better, maybe even adoration.

Her power flickered, a new crack breaking in the wall and she let it release under the water. A pulse of white fire moved around her, a wave pushing out and lighting up her surroundings.

She was near the bottom, her toe touching the soft mud just before she charged up towards Kaden with an outstretched hand. She was glowing, her fire engulfing her entire body like a protective shell until her fingers clasped Kaden’s.