A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

Something In The Water Part 3

Aria crashed into something firm, yet soft, unlike the sharp rock that surrounded the cave. She stumbled back in the darkness, losing her footing. Swift arms quickly wrapped around her waist in response, and she found herself face first with a chest chiseled by time. The crystals embedded in the rock glowed faintly, sparkling with the treading water and illuminating his sharp features.

"Elvin?" Aria gasped, staring into rich stormy eyes. The corner of her lips tugged up in a slight smile. She was happy to see the grey-haired elf. Indeed, he was preferable to death. It was all relief, nothing else despite the flutter tingle in her stomach.

"Why are you here?" Elvin demanded. His neat silver eyebrows furrowed as he looked around.

Aria took a slight step back, and lips pressed into a grimace at his tone. "I came for you."

"Fool." Elvin tapped his bare feet. "I tried so hard to keep you safe, and here you are."

"Ungrateful!" Aria smacked her hand against his bare chest accusingly. She regretted instantly, when the impact vibrated right back into her wrist. Annoyance writhed in her face at the insult as she soothed her fist. She didn't expect much from him, but some gratitude was well deserved. "How could I leave you behind? You didn't leave me before."

His head lowered and expression softened as if admiring her bravery, or perhaps, it was just in her mind. "The nymph cannot trick my senses as it can yours. It's dangerous for you in here. You could get trapped by her illusions." Elvin took the sword from Aria's hand and threw the strap over his chest.

"I was able to figure out it wasn't you; perhaps you underestimate me," Aria stated proudly.

She choked down a laugh at the sight before her. A regal prince, naked as the day he entered this earth, with only a sword on his back. She could only thank the darkness for hiding the blush that reached her face. That it hid some of his more impressive physical features. Aria did not think she would be able to erase THAT from her mind any time soon.

"The nymph pretended to be me for you as well? How could you tell?" His cheek curved in intrigue.

"I rather not say." Aria's cheek glowed red.

"Oh, tell me my melissë, did you do anything 'immoral' with my imposter?" Elvin teased.

"As if." She refuted, thinking back on their previous conversation about morality when they first met. How wrong she had been about him then. Other than his nudist tendencies, the prince was hardly the monster she first thought him to be. The pitchiness of her voice betrayed her words. "Who are you to talk, what do you mean 'as well'? Did she pretend to be me for your highness? Huh?" She used his title in jest, hoping that it would distract him from his question.

"Yes, but it was easy to tell." His words dripped slowly into Aria's ear. "Yours are not quite as big," Elvin spoke, smirking as vast as the wild sea.

"Not quite as big?" Aria mumbled his words, looking down to see what the elf could be speaking off. Her eyes fell on her leather-bound bosom, and her face turned from pink to crimson. "You brut-"

Elvin's large hand covered her mouth while he held his free index finger over his lips. The sound of moving water echoed throughout the tunnel. His hand dropped from her lips, and he pulled her closer, holding her tight against him. His silver eyes closed for a second, and they opened bluer and brighter than before, as he whispered, "stay still until I tell you."

A silver fog glazed Aria's vision. A shimmering shield that covered their entire bodies. The water shifted around them. It rose into a poorly shaped figure. Icy fog spread from all around it, as if it was breathing without a mouth. It looked around aimlessly, slowly gliding around the ground like a body deteriorating— falling apart. Piece by piece, its limbs spilled into the ground.