Marcus paused in the center of the pond to float on his back, eyes closed, contentment radiating from his face. Sunlight glittered on the ripples spreading out from him.
Willow gazed at the scene of tranquility. “It really is beautiful,” she observed in awe.
“Yes, he is,” Sage agreed, staring at Marcus with a proud grin.
Willow rolled her eyes.
“Either way, Landyn said we’ll be at the coast in three days. So, you have three days to learn to swim. Better get to it.”
A shiver of apprehension sliced through Willow, yet she fought to keep her chin high. She was a Hawke, and this was something she had to do—even if it scared her.
The day had been long and grueling, and the sun’s relentless heat had no relief. As night fell and they prepared to make camp near a lake, everyone was on edge and eager to find a place to rest.
Willow patted Mercy’s neck tenderly, glancing up to confirm that the others were tending their horses. She guided Mercy to the lake and waited patiently for the mare to drink her fill. She bent and trailed her hands through the cool liquid, letting it trickle between her fingers. She had to fight her fear of the water. She replaced her armor, dress, and boots with Christian’s tunic, which was a little damp from the day before, in preparation for her lessons.
When Mercy had finished drinking, Willow removed her saddle and blanket and led her into the water. The bottom of the lake was uneven, scattered with branches and a thick carpet of grass and mud. Willow felt it squish between her toes as she waded deeper until the water lapped at her waist. A chill ran through her body, and fear crept up her spine.
Defiantly, she took another step, holding tight to Mercy’s mane. She glanced at Mercy, who watched her.
“Don’t judge me,” Willow whispered. “This is hard.”
Mercy whinnied softly.
“It’s easy for you,” she murmured. “You’re bigger than me.” She tentatively stepped forward, and the cool water lapped at her chest, sending chills over her skin. Fear tightened her stomach, and the haunting memories returned—the dark, still waters rushing up to cover her face, her hand outstretched, unable to breathe.
She shook herself.Don’t think about it. You are no longer a child. Sage said to move your arms.She threaded her free arm through the water, and it gave way beneath her strokes.
What else had Sage said? Kick. Kick your feet.
Willow stared out at the lake ahead of her. Her breathing became labored, and her pulse raced. To kick, she couldn’t be touching the bottom. Apprehension flooded through her and paralyzed her. She felt the soft mud beneath her feet, and gratefully, it kept her anchored to the shore. But once she moved deeper, the water would be overhead, and she could drown.
A hand landed on her shoulder, and with a gasp, she spun around.
Marcus stood behind her. “The first rule of entering water is never to go alone.”
Willow turned back to the lake. The sun had set below the horizon and left a royal purple sky in its wake. The lake mirrored the hues of twilight, and its surface stilled as if it were basking in the blanket of darkness. “You were swimming alone yesterday.”
“I didn’t tell you the entire truth about who I am,” he said.
She glanced curiously at him.
A smile curved his lips. “I’m part fish.”
She grinned at his joke and looked at the blackening waters. “I want to do this,” she admitted. “But I’m afraid.”
“And you should be. Water can be a silent killer. No one can hear your cries if you are underwater. That’s why you don’t go in alone.” He strode to her side to study her face. “But we need water to survive. To drink. To bathe. To cook. It demands respect.”
“That doesn’t help me.”
He chuckled softly. “Once you learn to stay above water, your fear will lessen. It will always be there because of your memory. But you’ll be able to move on.”
“I only have one more night before we reach the coast.”
Marcus sighed softly. “Then we’d best get to work.”
Willow felt disappointed in her progress. After a night of practice, she could lift her legs and tread water for a few precious moments before sinking back down, but even then, she was far from her goal of swimming in water over her head. She had never tried to kick, as Sage had told her. With each passing day, she knew it was becoming less likely that she would learn before they reached the coast.
It was Marcus and Sage’s turn to keep watch and they were scouting in the forest; the rest were supposed to be sleeping. But Willow couldn’t sleep. She should be exhausted, but sleep evaded her. She curled against Christian.
