Chapter 43
Harlow
I look up at Mermaid’s Tail.
This is about to be my final attempt for the day. Actually, it’s about to be the final attempt, full stop. We need to head back for lunch.
Over the last two weeks, we’ve been here ten times. No one has made it to the top yet, though Becca has come really close on her last two attempts. Jordyn is pretty much on par with me; we’re both falling just short of the second-to-last hold. The rock gets more slippery the higher you climb.
Think about what you want to achieve. Focus on the outcome.
Drake’s words ring in my ears as always. I want to turn to look at him, but I force myself not to. We’re being extremely careful not to give each other knowing looks. Trying hard to find that balance where we’re not overly familiar but not ignoring each other either.
It’s tough, but we’re nearing the end of having to lie all the time.
“Good luck!” Scar calls up to me.
I nod, taking a deep breath.
I pull myself up onto the little ledge easily. To think I struggled with this first step initially. Now it feels as natural as breathing.
It’s funny to me that since I stopped trying so hard not to be clumsy, I’ve actually ended up being much less clumsy. It’s great, actually. Like my body finally got the memo that it’s okay to just exist without overthinking every single movement.
I’m still more of a klutz than most. Just not OTT terrible.
“Go, Harlow!” Jordyn shouts from below, clapping her hands together. Water sprays from the motion.
The others join in with their own words of encouragement.
I look up at the now very familiar rock surface and plan my route. I’ve memorized every ridge, every tiny handhold, every place where my toes can find purchase. I picture myself doing it with ease.
I take a deep breath, clearing my mind, grounding myself in the moment. The sun warms my back. The saltwater stings the raw patches on my fingertips.
Then I climb.
My right hand finds the first small ridge, fingers curling around it. Left foot up, toes gripping. Right foot follows. Left hand reaches, finds the groove I know is there, even though I can barely see it.
Pull. Step. Reach. Pull.
I don’t look down. I don’t think about falling. I just move.
The rock is slick beneath my palms, but I adjust my grip, using the pads of my fingers instead of trying to clutch with my whole hand. Each movement is deliberate, controlled. My body remembers the pattern even as my mind stays quiet.
Halfway up. My arms are burning, but I push through it.
Three-quarters. The spot where I usually fall. But not today. Today I shift my weight differently, trusting my left foot on a hold that looks too small to support me. It does.
Almost there. Just two more moves.
I reach up, fingers stretching for the ridge that will put me at the second-to-last hold. Got it. My muscles strain as I pull myself up, finding the foothold with my toes. One more. Just one more.
I look up at the top, so close now I could almost touch it. The final push. I reach up with my right hand, finding the edge, and then I’m scrambling, pulling myself up and over.
I can hardly believe it when I finally collapse onto the flat top of the rock, my chest heaving.
Everyone goes nuts down below. Shouts and cheers echo across the water, and I can hear Jordyn’s voice louder than all the rest.
I push myself up to a sitting position, grinning so wide that my face hurts. When I look down, I see all of them treading water, their faces turned up toward me with huge smiles. Drake is grinning from ear to ear, looking so handsome it makes my chest ache.
His eyes meet mine, and there’s pride there. Real, genuine pride that makes my heart do a stupid little flip.
I look away quickly, standing and lifting my arms above my head like some kind of champion. I did it. It feels huge. Monumental. I’ve never been this proud of myself in all my life.
“Well done,” Scar calls up to me, his voice carrying across the water. It’s easy to see how happy he is, the way his whole face lights up. “I knew you could do it.” He winks at me. “Great job.”
I nod, my grin never faltering, and then I dive from the rock.
It’s good to be able to dive normally instead of backward for once. I arch my body, arms stretched overhead, and the brief moment of weightlessness feels like flying. Then the water rushes up to meet me, cool and welcoming, and I plunge beneath the surface.
The ocean envelops me in silence. Down here, there’s just the muffled sound of bubbles and the pressure of water all around.
Then I kick toward the surface, breaking through with a gasp.
My friends surround me.
“You did it!” Jordyn squeals, throwing her arms around my neck. “That was amazing!”
“I can’t believe it,” I laugh, wrapping my arms around her. “I actually can’t believe it.”
Becca hugs me next, then Georgia, then Dani. Even though we’re all exhausted and waterlogged, the joy is infectious.
The shifters congratulate me too, their voices warm with genuine approval. It feels good to have earned their respect, to know that I’m making progress.
Smoke, my old trainer, gives me a quick hug. “Knew you had it in you, Tribute,” he rumbles.
Scar hugs me too, his smile broad. “Told you,” he tells me.
Hammer grumbles congratulations, barely looking at me. The poor guy keeps far away from me these days, always maintaining at least a ten-foot buffer. I can’t really blame him.
Then Drake comes over, and my breath catches despite my best efforts to stay calm.
He gives me a quick hug, which is exactly what would be expected of my mind-bond.
Nothing more. But when his arms come around me, even for that brief moment, my body remembers everything.
Every touch, every kiss, every breathless moment we’ve shared over the last two weeks.
“Good work, Santos,” he says as he pulls away.
“Thanks,” I tell him, doing an excellent job at keeping my cool. At least, I hope I am.
“I’m sure I’ll make it tomorrow,” Jordyn announces from next to me.
“Me too!” Georgia yells. She’s ended up being surprisingly good at this, much better than any of us expected.
“We’ll all make it soon,” Becca tells Dani, putting an arm around her. They tread water together, and I can see the determination in both their faces.
“Actually,” Scar says, his voice cutting through the excited chatter. “I think we’ll skip Mermaid’s Tail tomorrow. You guys must be sick of it. I think you’re all ready for a meet and greet with your dragons.”
The announcement is met with immediate excitement.
Shouts and laughter echo across the water, and I feel my own heart leap.
I’m looking forward to seeing Drake’s dragon again.
I know it sounds stupid, but I’ve missed him.
Missed the weight of his presence, the intelligence in those reptilian eyes.
It’s time that I scratched behind his horns. I know he would love that.
I risk a glance at Drake, and he gives me a nod.
“I think I might be ready.” Georgia’s voice quivers a little.
“I’m not so sure.” Dani looks over at Hammer.
“Don’t worry,” Scar tells them. “We’ll take it slow. Some of you can get close to your beasts. Others will have to stay back. We’ll go over safety protocols again in class tomorrow. I would never put any of you in harm’s way. I know that you’re ready for this next step.”
That seems to ease some of the tension, and the excited chatter resumes.
“Let’s all head back,” Scar announces.
We start swimming back to shore. Although I’ve always been a strong swimmer, I’m even better now. My body has adapted, grown stronger. I’m not the same person who struggled through Sky’s Edge. I’m different now. I’d like to think I’m better.
The beach comes into view, that pristine white sand bright in the afternoon sun. When my feet finally hit the sandy bottom, I wade out of the water with the others.
We assemble on the beach, drinking water and toweling off. I change back into my clothes, pulling my uniform on over my still-damp swimsuit. The leather sticks a bit, but I don’t care. Nothing can dampen my mood right now.
Then we head back toward the training facility, following the familiar path through the jungle.
Once we hit the ridge, there’s a treed area before we emerge into the open field. A hand wraps around my wrist.
Drake pulls me behind a large tree, his movements quick and sure. Before I can say anything, his mouth is on mine.
The kiss is quick but intense, stealing my breath and making my knees weak. When he pulls back, his eyes are warm and filled with tenderness.
“I’m proud of you,” he says quietly.
I smile, my heart doing that stupid fluttery thing again. “Thanks.”
He leans in close, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispers, “I love you, Harlow. So fucking much it’s scary.”
My mouth drops open for a second before I close it, smiling. Drake has told me he’s falling for me, that he cares about me, but he’s never actually used the L-word before.
He pulls back to look me in the eye, and I can see the emotion reflected there. I feel it in my chest. I feel it all over.
“Are you afraid yet?” he asks so softly I barely hear.
“Not a chance,” I whisper back.
He gives me a panty-wetting smile, and then he walks away, melting back into the group before someone notices we’re gone.
I stand there for a moment, my back against the rough bark of the tree, trying to catch my breath and slow my racing heart.
Moments later, when my heart rate starts going back to normal, I head back toward the path, noting that Jordyn and Dani are walking slowly at the rear of the group. They look back and smile when they hear me coming. They must have hung back when they realized I’d disappeared.
Jordyn has a strange look on her face that I can’t quite decipher.
“Where were you?” Dani asks, her eyes scanning my face. “We were worried.”
“I stopped to enjoy the moment,” I tell them. “I’m soaking it in. I can’t believe I made it. I’m just so happy. I really feel like I belong here. That I’m finally on the right path.”
Once again, Jordyn has this strange look. She looks sad.
“I can believe you made it,” Jordyn says, taking my hand and squeezing it before letting go. “You are so strong.”
“You’ll make it soon enough,” I tell her. “You both will.” I can understand how she feels. I’ve been there myself. It can be hard to watch others succeed, especially when things feel impossible.
“Of course we will,” Dani says.
We start walking, picking up our pace to catch up with the others. It’s beautiful out here, in a wild, untamed way. I’m so glad I get to stay, to make this my home.
I feel so content, so happy, but it’s not Mermaid’s Tail I’m thinking about anymore. It’s Drake and our future.
I only hope it doesn’t come crashing down.
I can’t think like that. In three more days, Drake’s probation will end. Then we can tell his mentor about us and figure out the way forward.
As long as we have each other, we’ll be fine.