Page 53 of For the Strange and Surprising

“Yes, and now I’m asking you the same one.”

He shakes his head as he stands back up. “Nope. I just wanted to have some fun, and I assumed you might enjoy the adventure.”

That’s… thoughtful.

I’ve had a fantastic morning because of him, but I’m not ready to go back. I don’t want to end the day without experiencing this paradise to its fullest potential. And I like being around Connak. He makes me feel a heady sort of kinetic energy, as if nothing can stop my forward motion.

I take one look at my dress and think fuck it.

“All right. Let’s jump.”

I sit on the ground, pulling the leather laces of my sandals loose, and toss them into the pile of clothing Connak has started. Then I stand back up and slide the straps on my dress down my arms, letting the plum fabric pool at my feet before adding it to my shoes.

He grabs my hand, leading me to the edge of the water. I dip my toes in, pleasantly surprised by the warmth.

“There are stairs on both sides of the big fall. It’s quicker to swim across than walk around.”

He unties his hair, wrapping the leather strip around his wrist. I move ahead of him, too impatient to wait any longer.

“There’s a—”

Shelf. And I just strolled right off the end of it.

I reach the surface, wiping my eyes and finding him floating beside me.

“Drop-off,” he finishes.

A smile stretches across my face as I nod. “Yeah. I found it.”

We swim to the rocky stairs, and the size of the lake shocks me. The falls didn’t appear so steep or far apart until I started climbing.

Connak waits for me at the top, peering over the flat rock as if he’s second-guessing the height. While he’s sidetracked, I allow myself precious seconds to ease the curiosity that’s burning holes in my self-control.

He’s the ripped type of lean muscle that guys obsessed over in the gym. They had their specialized diets and workouts, but here… I think it has more to do with survival.

His body is covered in scars, a textured masterpiece of battle wounds begging to tell their stories. Some are thin, some thick. A few are new and pink, like the one on his back. But some are older, nearly blending into his tanned skin.

“Ready?” I inquire, softly touching his arm.

I squeak when he grabs me by the waist and sets me on my feet atop the rock.

“You’re not very tall, and you’re naked, Ada,” he informs me. “Climbing up here would have given me quite the show, but I’m trying not to make it awkward.”

I scowl as he chuckles.

“I’m not that fucking short. I mean…” I peek over the side of the rock. “Okay. I see your point.”

He holds his hand out to me, and I take it. My faith in a virtual stranger is going to bite me in the ass, but for right now, I don’t want to think about tomorrow’s problems.

I let my toes dangle over the edge for a split second.

And then I jump.

* * *

I swim near the lily pads in the shallow water, wondering how big the frogs are on Spiran. I know that aquatic plants don’t always equal amphibian habitats, but seriously? It’s like half the size of a twin bed. I could lie on top of it and only hang off from the knees down.

Something in my peripheral moves.