~~~{──────────
Late Afternoon.
The Ride, Wyfellon.
Wyfn-Garde.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~}~~~
"I don't plan to bring anyone else here just to confirm that." he lets out.
Her curiosity deepened. "So, what does the water do?" she asked, finally dropping her hands as if to touch the surface again.
"I don't know," he admitted, his gaze following her hand. "But I've always felt drawn to this place, like it holds some significance... especially now, with you here." His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
As her fingers brushed the water, a faint glow shimmered around them. But, Salviana was too focused on Alaric to notice, and just as her hand sank deeper into the water, he stood up abruptly. "Come on," he said, his voice firm but distant.
She glanced up, startled. "We're leaving?" her fingers already left the water before her question did.
"Yes." He extended his hand to her, but she hesitated, feeling a lingering pull from the water, like something unfinished. Despite this, she didn't protest.
Before she could react, Alaric bent down, wrapping an arm around her waist and effortlessly lifting her from the water. She stumbled slightly forward, the sudden movement catching her off guard, but her husband's strong grip kept her steady. His palm lingered at her waist as he lifted her chin with his free hand, gazing down at her with an intensity that made her heart race.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice unusually soft, carrying a weight she couldn't quite grasp.
Salviana's eyes fluttered shut at the warmth in his tone and the fingers trailing her face. She reached up and gripped his arm for balance, her breath caught as he brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered, tracing the curve of her brow before he whispered, almost absentmindedly, "You're beautiful."
Her eyes snapped open, meeting his. Alaric's gaze bore into hers as if searching for something unspoken. For a moment, she felt like he could see right through her, past her defences and walls.
Then, with a soft sigh, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips warm against her cool skin. The tenderness of the gesture made her heart swell.
Without another word, he bent and lifted her into his arms in a smooth motion, cradling her close to his chest. She giggled in surprise, a sound he just found that he loved and would love to hear it again as he glanced at her pearly white teeth.
He carried her to a nearby stone, setting her down gently and helping her back into her shoes.
She watched him, her heart fluttering as she took in the warmth of his actions, so unlike the cold, almost sadistic distant prince she had come to know.
When he finished, he looked up at her from his crouched position, their eyes meeting once again. Her hand moved almost of its own accord, reaching out to touch his chin. He leaned into her touch, his skin smooth and cool beneath her fingertips.
As her hand brushed his lips, he caught her wrist almost sharply yet softly and kissed the inside of her palm. The simple gesture sent a shiver down her spine, her breath hitching as her dress seemed to tighten, her skin warming from the inside out.
"Let's go," he murmured, standing up and offering his hand once more. She took it and they started to walk, but then she stopped making him freeze too.
"Alaric?" she called out, her voice suddenly urgent.
"Mmm?"
"My dress..." she said, looking down in astonishment. "It's dry. The water didn't drench it."
How could that have happened? she thought, that was obviously a water body and despite it feeling funny earlier she didn't believe this could possibly happen. Her body and dress was as fresh as it'd been when she stepped inside the water.
Alaric glanced back, momentarily puzzled. Then, with a knowing smirk, he said, "Of course. I wouldn't let you do anything that would put your health at risk."
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You knew? How did—" She stumbled over her words, not sure how to articulate her confusion.
"The water is magical," he explained with a casual shrug. "It doesn't drench. And it doesn't drown, either."
"Wow…" Salviana whispered, still grappling with the strangeness of it all. But, how did he know it wouldn't drown? She glanced at him with narrowed eyes, but he was already walking again, his focus shifting as they approached Soar once more.
As the late afternoon humid glow bathed the town in soft light, they rode leisurely through the bustling streets, heading back to the palace. Salviana's arms were full of sweets and small trinkets Alaric had bought her, the little gifts making her feel like a child again.
The weight of her royal duties seemed distant, replaced by a lightness she hadn't felt in years. She could still feel the gentle warmth of Alaric's body behind her, his strong arms steady on the reins, keeping them securely on the path.
Just as they passed a group of villagers, a young teenage boy came sprinting out from the crowd, clutching a handful of freshly picked wildflowers. His breath came in quick, excited gasps as he rushed toward them, his eyes wide with admiration. "My lady!" he called out, holding up the flowers. "You're… you're beautiful, I couldn't resist giving these to you."
Alaric slowed Soar, a sharp, almost instinctive tension rising in him as the boy approached. Salviana blinked in surprise, her cheeks flushing at the unexpected attention. She smiled warmly, her heart touched by the boy's innocent gesture. "Thank you, that's so sweet of you," she said softly, stretching and accepting the flowers.
The boy beamed, clearly awestruck by her beauty and loveliness. Alaric's jaw tightened as he watched the interaction, his grip on the reins visibly stiffening. Salviana noticed and bit back a laugh, finding his sudden jealousy both funny and endearing.
Her husband was jealous, and she couldn't believe how excited it made her. Maybe he could feel after all. She had so many questions, but at the moment butterflies took flight.