The Whispers of Shadows - A&A One Shots

a trip to the summer court - pt. 2

Guards on her heels, Aurora hurried down the back entrance to the palace and towards the face of the mountain is was perched on. Azriel reached for her hand to slow her before the rocks gave way under her feet.

"Slow down before you end up battered at the bottom," he told her, tugging her to slow her pace. Aurora shot him a glare but obeyed as they made their way down the steps carved out of sand and rock. She snorted in amusement when she saw that Feyre, Rhys, Mor, and Elain we're already at the beach. Feyre and Elain were laughing as they ran through the waves while Mor and Rhys laid in the sand beneath the sun. Mor's swimming outfit was similarly cut to Aurora's, but of course, the fabric was red.

Sand kicked into her sandals as they reached the bottom. The guards that had trailed them lined along the bottom of the hill with the others that had watched the group. Aurora paid them no attention as she began racing to Feyre and Elain, desperate to feel the sea on her skin. Azriel yanked her back by the hand, making Aurora yelp and stumble into him.

"Why?" She whined, tugging her arm back. Azriel shot her a quizzical look.

"Your clothes, my love."

Aurora looked down, sighing when she realized she was still covered in linen. Keeping her eyes from meeting anyone else's, Aurora began pulling the top over her head. Azriel's cool skin met hers when his fingers fixed the fabric over her breasts. She gave him a grateful smile and continued pulling off her pants and kicking off her sandals. Azriel pecked her nose and bent over to collect her clothes. Aurora let out a wild laugh as she turned and raced into the water. It was surprisingly cool compared to the heat of the air.

"Isn't this great?" Elain sighed, wading out to her hips. Aurora grinned as she nodded, following the female deeper. Feyre shouted for Rhysand to follow, earning a response that said he needed 'the sun to keep up with his tan'. Rather than arguing, Feyre waded out to Aurora and Elain. Aurora was nearly trembling with her excitement, toes curling in the sand at the bottom.

"I've never seen the sea," she whispered, looking over to Feyre. The High Lady looked radient beneath the sun, the freckles on her nose already growing darker.

"I've only been here the one time, it wasn't the most pleasant experience, but there's just something about the water and sun." Aurora nodded in agreement, far too excited to hold back anymore. Sucking in a breath, she dove beneath the calm waves. Salt stung her eyes, but Aurora swam, feeling her body move with the current. It was a glorious feeling.

When her lungs burned, she rose to the surface with a gasp. Her feet no longer reached the bottom and she kicked rapidly to keep herself afloat. Elain paid no attention, drifting her fingers over the surface as she waxed out further. Feyre's eyes were on Aurora, though, and the suppressed smile was enough for Aurora to know Feyre was aware of how frightened she was.

Feyre said nothing as she swam out to Aurora, hooking an arm around her waist. Seamlessly, she brought her back to where her feet could touch. Aurora muttered her thanks as Feyre released her waist.

"Do you want me to show you how to do it?" Feyre asked, keeping her voice low so Elain didn't hear. Aurora nodded, cheeks heating. Feyre gave her a soft smile, ever the High Lady.

"In this water, the salt keeps you afloat. Notice how you keep bouncing, almost as if you're weightless?" Aurora looked down to peer at her distorted legs through the water. Indeed, her body seemed to lift and sink as she moved her hands beneath the water.

"Yes," Aurora said, smiling at Feyre. She gave a nod and pushed her arms forward, sending her body back in the water. Aurora watched as she moved her arms beneath the water, just as Aurora did now.