Chapter 40
Forty
“What is this?” I stare down at an item of clothing that looks like a thin, strapped bodysuit.
Orion showed up bright and early for training, throwing the garment after me while I was still in bed.
I’m groggy after getting home late from Leo’s, and the confusion from this outfit is adding to my irritation.
“Good morning to you, too, Sunshine. It’s called a swimsuit. Put it underneath something loose. We’re going to the river.”
“The river? What about training?”
“This is training.”
“Since when?”
“Since now. Get up.”
“I’m going, I’m going.”
I take care of my needs in the bathroom and slide the swimsuit up over my body. The material is slick and stretchy, contorting to my form. I cover the swimwear with thin, loose pants and a light sweater before rejoining Orion. “Why are we going to the river?”
“Because we, my dear, are going swimming.”
“Orion, I don’t know how to swim.”
I stand up to my ankles in the lukewarm water of the river. The azul blue is surreal; translucent ripples reveal my feet beneath the surface.
“Good, today, you’ll learn. I want you to increase your lung capacity by holding your breath underwater.”
Okay, no. That sounds like torture. “Why would I want to do that?”
Orion rolls his eyes. “The same reason I have you do anything else.”
“Orion. There isn’t water on Lunara. I’ve never done this.”
“And before coming to Astralis, you had never star-shot, or run obstacle courses, thrown daggers, rolled through fire, or fallen through the sky. You are Zellie Toro, and you can do anything.”
I inch up to my waist, keeping my gaze fixed on the ground the entire time. The water reflects my face like a polished looking glass. He’s right, I realize. I’ve already conquered fears and unlocked new accomplishments. I refuse to be afraid.
“Start by lying on your back, like this. You will float. Let the water earn your trust.” Orion stretches his arms and legs, letting the water support him.
I mimic the movement, flopping about at first before finally perfecting the pose.
Giggling, the weightless sensation loosens something that’s hardened deep within me.
I let my fingers glide through the water, watching the dark abyss past the glass.
To my delight, Orion lets us float for longer than I thought.
He teaches me the basics of how to move my arms through the water and to kick my feet to slip through it.
Throughout the lesson, I take in several mouthfuls of water, coughing and sputtering.
Orion laughs at my distress, provoking me to splash him.
The day feels effortless, easy, fun. Already, I’m thinking of bringing Leo here for him to enjoy.
“Ready to try going under?” Orion’s question snaps me back to reality.
“If we must.”
“Considering this part is the whole point of why we’re here, we must.”
“I like fun Riri better.”
“You wound me.” He flicks water in my direction. “Go under. Plug your nose if you have to, like this, and see how long you can hold your breath.”
I squeeze my nose and submerge myself fully.
I open my eyes, finding the water unexpectedly stinging.
Blinking rapidly, I allow them to adjust slowly as the light burn subsides.
It’s peaceful beneath the surface, with muted sounds that are more calming below than above.
The colors are just as beautiful, light casting rays through shades of turquoise.
Small pebbles line the sandy bottom in a variety of shades, ranging from cream to black.
I’m hungry for more of this hidden tranquility, yet the squeeze in my lungs alerts me that my time is up.
I push off the ground and break through to the surface, smiling with pride at my achievement. I lasted much longer than I thought I could, especially for someone who had never been underwater. Wiping the water from my eyes, I smile as I find Orion.
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Yeah… we’re going to have to work on that.”