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There is so much beauty, it almost makes me want to cry.
Fog surrounds a waterfall, but the sun breaks through and shines down upon the sparkling blue water. It’s cleaner than any water I have ever seen, and it almost looks unreal. Rocks surround the pool, and grass and flowers cover every square inch along the edges. It’s gorgeous and magical, like a place from a fairy tale.
“They say the water here heals all,” Kaito murmurs. “I don’t know how true that is, but I like to believe that this place can heal at least a little with its splendor. After all, this world has so much to offer, don’t you think?”
He’s gently coaxing me and trying to show me reasons to live.
“It’s amazing,” I admit softly. “Can we—”
“Absolutely.” Weyland grins, accidentally flashing a fang before he turns away and covers it. They lead me to the edge, and I only release their hands so I can crouch down and plunge my hand into the water, gasping when I realize it’s warm.
“You can drink it,” Kaito murmurs at my side, and as if showing a babe, he cups his hand under the water before pulling it out and to his mouth, sipping the warm water. I copy him, my eyes widening at the mineral taste.
Weyland comes over and, with a finger on his lips so I don’t warn him, pushes Kaito into the water. I sit back with wide eyes, watching as Kaito plunges into the water, only to surge through the surface with a grin. “Oh, that’s it, wolf.” Weyland tries to run, but Kaito is too fast. He flies from the water, grabs the lycan’s leg, and tugs him in as he yelps and claws at the edge. The water droplets splash me, and a tiny giggle slips out at their antics.
Kaito strides from the water to sit next to me as Weyland sputters and stands in the pool, holding his arms to his sides, his fur drenched and pushed back. I can’t help but grin and for a moment, I think of nothing else but this.
This place with them.
We spend hours lounging and soaking in the beauty of this place before my stomach grumbles. “I didn’t bring food.” Weyland frowns, growling at himself in annoyance. “Wait here, bacca. I will catch one of these magic fish to feed you.”
“You don’t have to—” I begin, but he is already wading into the water, his eyes tracking the movement of the fish.
“Let him. He likes to feel useful,” Kaito offers, plaiting my hair carefully.
“How do you know?” I ask, glancing at him then back to Weyland.
“Because I feel it too, the need to provide for you, so let him,amarta,” he purrs.
I blush, ducking my head, but even through my lashes, I watch Weyland. The first time I saw him, I was terrified, but as I watch him carefully stalk the fish, I cannot be anything but awed. The sun catches the myriad of colors in his fur, including red, orange, brown, and black. His claws sparkle with murderous intent, even though I know they hold my hand softly.
He is beautiful.
He strikes, fast and sure, catching a fish and victoriously holding it up with a shout. I grin as I sit up, but the fish has other ideas. It flops in his hands, fighting for freedom, and with a yelp, he tries to catch it, his arms windmilling in his attempt. Only, it doesn’t work. The fish flips up, smacking him in the face before it drops back into the water with a small splash.
Wide-eyed, he turns to me, and for a moment, we just stare at each other, and then laughter bursts from me. Unable to stop the overwhelming amusement, I fall back, laughing. The sight of this big, scary lycan being hit by a fish replays over and over in my mind until I cannot catch my breath. I am laughing so hard, tears fall.
They both join in, their laughter matching my own.
For one blissful moment, with laughter in my heart and the sun shining down on me, I feel like I once did—whole, complete, and safe. When I finally catch my breath, my side hurting from the strength of my mirth, I peer at them to see them both watching me with matching grins.
“Your laugh is beautiful,” Kaito says quietly. “It’s the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.”
“Then I will try to laugh more often,” I promise.
For the first time in too long, I mean it.
Chapter
Eleven
KAI
After recovering from his amusement, Kaito kissed my hand and offered to find us something to eat, something that wouldn’t attack the poor lycan—his exact words. He plunges into the forest with a promise to be back as Weyland trudges to my side, flopping back with a groan.
“Not my most graceful moment,” he mutters, but he’s smiling, and since he’s relaxed, he’s not covering his fangs. I like it. It’s . . . him. “I promise I can actually hunt.”
“I thought it was funny.” I smile, lying back in the flowers, my head turned toward him. He turns to me, and he snaps his lips over his teeth.
