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No one knew what was wrong or how to fix it.
And each day the plague snakes infected more of the land.
If only my twin were here to talk to. He always seemed to understand and make sense out of terrible situations. He would know what to do. I couldn’t marry and I couldn’t escape. I needed a solution, and quickly.
Failing this idiotic competition meant I’d be sent off to spend three years working off my debt. My home would be destroyed by then.
Shaking off the dismal thoughts in my mind, I continued walking to where Enola said I could bathe.
Ahead, the waterfall plunged from high in the cliff rock. So high I couldn’t see the top from here on the ground. The mist created rainbows across the stone. Following the path behind the waterfall, I found the hidden area Enola spoke of. On the floor to the right by the cavern walls rested a wooden bucket and a brush. Eager to get this stench and dirt off me, I shimmied out of my dress. Taking the bucket, I moved to the area at the front where a sheet of water hid me from view.
I stuck out my foot just enough that the water splashed my toes.
Oh, it’s warm.
With a sigh, I stuck my head under the rushing water and washed my hair. Back home we didn’t have spectacular waterfalls or magical skies, but we did have majestic mountains and rivers that roared with life.
After I had thoroughly rubbed the soap over every inch of my body, I rinsed and slipped into the soft cotton dress. The simple frock fit perfectly and constricted nothing. A dress I could breathe in. I’d have to thank Enola.
I dropped the soap in the bucket and left the hidden cave.
Baine sat on the grass, staring out over the lake. His black assassin type gear may have looked out of place among the pink and white flowers, but not his expression. He seemed relaxed.
Not wanting to disturb his moment of peace, I tiptoed across the grass. His head turned, almost immediately, meeting my gaze head on.
“Hi.” I gave a little wave.
He went to stand, and I patted the air, making him stay. “Don’t. Sit with me for a minute.”
With a nod, he turned and rested an arm across his bent knee. Out under this mystical sky, the sun highlighted the warm plum hues of his skin. The purple undertones made the lavender in his eyes brighten, and those tiny flecks of pink around his pupils gave him the prettiest eyes in all of Saol.
Sitting next to him, I smiled. “It’s beautiful here.”
“It is,” he said, the hard lines of his face softening. “Do you know why they call it the Moonlake?”
I shook my head.
“When the moon is at its fullest, it shines onto the water and the luminescent rocks along the bottom of the lake light up. I’ve never seen anything close to that beauty.”
He turned when he said those last words, eyeing me with an intense gaze that made my toes curl. We were sitting only a few inches apart, the edge of my dress brushing up against his hip.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“Huh?” The question jarred me almost as much as the way he eyed me with this insatiable hunger.
“Is it only your family’s farm you want to save?”
A dragonfly flew over to us and landed on Baine’s arm. It fluttered iridescent wings and seemed to think Baine was a pretty resting spot.
I didn’t disagree.
“Rosalie.”
Hearing him say my name made my palms sweat and my heart flutter as fast as those dragonfly wings.
“It’s not just my farm in danger.”
“What do you mean?” His body shifted toward me, almost as if he was truly eager to hear my story.
