The Bird & The Beast

Chapter 16

The girl wasn't sure what was worse. The freezing nights of winter, or the scorching days of summer.

Damien must have felt the same, because he took a seat next to her, and said, "Damn this heat." He brought one hand up to shield his eyes as he glanced in the direction of the sun. "Gah, what I'd do to see that infernal ball of heat disappear completely."

His visits to her had become irregular. He would come when the sun shone, or when the moon dimly lit the streets.

Sometimes, he didn't come at all.

Damien could be gone for a week, and then show up with no explanation. But the girl accepted it, for she found herself charmed by him and unable to speak against him.

"I was wandering around yesterday," Damien remarked, "and I came across a pond. I think you'll like it. Do you want to go see it?"

The girl furrowed her brow. "How far is it?"

"Not far. You should be able to make it. If you don't, I'll carry you," Damien said. Then he looked embarrassed and studied the cracks in the cement.

A smile tugged at the girl's lips. "Very well."

He jumped to his feet, offering his hand to her. "Can you swim?"

"I haven't since I was a little girl, but I should be able." She took his hand, allowing him to pull her up.

Damien pulled her close to his side as he walked, fighting against a smile. Raven hadn't ever mentioned anything of her childhood before.

Damien led her out of the city and to a forest. A faint trail with crushed leaves and twigs winded through it, and they followed it.

Sunlight glinted through the trees, and a gentle breeze pulled at the treetops and ruffled the grass.

The pond was encircled by trees, as though they were guarding it.

The water was clear and blue, and the girl strained to see any life underneath the water.

"There are no fish," she said, slightly disappointed as she leaned back to look at him.

Damien shrugged. "Are you going to get in?"

The girl nodded. She sucked in a deep breath when the cold water shocked her, but she waded out deeper until it came up to her waist.

"You might regret not taking your clothes off when you get out," Damien called to her with a laugh.

"They will dry fast enough in this heat," she said with a little smile. "Are you coming in?"

Damien pulled his shirt over his head, dropping it in the grass.

Caught off guard, the girl stared at his bare chest before she closed her eyes and submerged herself in the water as he undressed.

When she popped back up for air, she was face-to-face with Damien.

His eyes were dark and flashed momentarily to her lips. "If I could stay here with you forever, I would."

She looked away, trailing her hand in the water. "Then I think," she said, "we would resemble prunes. You may want to rethink that statement." She looked back up at her, catching her bottom lip between her teeth.

"Ah, I suppose you have a point." He turned from her and let himself sink down into the water, relishing the way it calmed the fire in him.

He stayed down as long as his lungs allowed it. Forced to the surface, he blinked water out of his eyes.

"Do you feel better now?" the girl asked quietly.

He nodded, his head hanging for a moment. "I don't like the heat."