Chapter 113
So this was why he had asked me to wear something easier to move in.
I stood rooted to the spot, staring at the stream flowing peacefully in front of us.
We were making our way through the forest toward the lake when the trees opened onto a narrow stream, forcing us to cross if we wanted to reach the other side.
It wasn't particularly impressive. The water was barely knee-deep, perhaps a little deeper in the middle, and ran clear over smooth stones before disappearing toward the lake.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have given it a second thought.
Unfortunately, I was carrying the satchel containing the enchanted map and compass, and I was wearing a ridiculous top and long skirt that had clearly not been designed for crossing streams.
"You have got to be kidding me."
Rhaevan glanced at me and immediately seemed to understand the problem.
"Do you want me to keep your satchel safe?"
"No." I clutched it closer to my chest. "We don't know whether the map or compass might react with your magic and get lost in the void. I'll keep it."
"Then allow me to carry it. It will make crossing easier for you."
I hesitated before finally handing it over.
Rhaevan slung the satchel over one shoulder and looked toward the other side of the stream.
"Do you want me to teleport?"
Still annoyed by his comment that morning, I turned toward him.
"Are you saying I'm incapable of crossing this tiny stream myself?"
"No. That's not what I meant."
He paused before adding, "Never mind."
Then he held out his free hand.
"Hold my hand."
I stared at his outstretched hand.
"You think I'm weak?"
"No. That's not-"
He sighed.
"Very well. Come along."
He turned and stepped into the water.
I followed.
We had made it halfway across when I made the unfortunate decision to look at his back.
It was a tremendous mistake.
Rhaevan had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt slightly, exposing his forearms as he carefully made his way across the stream. The water reached just below his knees, and he moved from stone to stone with irritating ease, the satchel hanging securely from one shoulder.
There was absolutely nothing remarkable about it.
Except that my brain had apparently decided this was the perfect moment to remind me that I had spent the morning in his arms.
His warmth against my back. His arm around my waist. His chest against me. The way he had pulled me closer without even waking.
I forced myself to look at the stones beneath my feet.
That should have been the end of it.
Instead, my traitorous mind wondered what it would feel like to have those arms around me again while I was actually awake.
My foot landed on a smooth stone.
It slipped.
"Oh-"
I threw my arms out in an attempt to regain my balance, but my other foot went out from beneath me.
A very undignified scream escaped me before I plunged sideways into the stream.
Cold water swallowed me.
I surfaced spluttering and immediately tried to find my footing, but the current caught me and dragged me several feet downstream.
"Cassiane!"
Before I could answer, Rhaevan was already moving.
He dropped the satchel onto the bank and stepped straight into the water. Within seconds, he reached me and caught me firmly around the waist before the current could pull me any farther.
I grabbed his shoulder on instinct.
"I've got you. Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," I gasped.
His grip tightened slightly as he steadied me against the current.
Water streamed from my hair and down my face. I was breathing hard, partly from the shock and partly because Rhaevan was holding me against him, one arm securely around my waist while the other kept us both balanced.
I became painfully aware of how close we were.
My gaze dropped downwards. Ohh...ohh noo noo..
The water had soaked through everything.
The fabric of my top had become considerably more transparent than it had any right to be.
I immediately crossed my arms over myself.
Rhaevan looked at me, clearly confused by my sudden reaction before his gaze dropped down to my clothes.
His expression changed, and he immediately looked away.
Once he was certain I had found my footing, he slowly released my waist.
Somehow, his deliberate attempt to give me privacy only made me more embarrassed.
I turned away and cursed under my breath.
A moment later, his coat settled over my shoulders.
"Here."
The coat was warm and carried the faint scent of him, which did absolutely nothing to improve my situation.
I pulled it tightly around myself.
"Thank you."
"Can you walk?"
"Yes."
"Good."
He retrieved the satchel from the bank, and together we made our way out of the stream.
I tried very hard to concentrate on anything except the fact that I was wearing Rhaevan's coat after being rescued from a river while wearing a soaked dress.
It wasn't working.
By the time we reached the bank, I was shivering.
Rhaevan noticed immediately.
"There is a tavern carved into the cliff farther along the lake."
"A tavern?"
"More of an inn for travelers and lake workers. You can change there."
That sounded considerably better than continuing through the forest while dripping.
"That would be helpful."
A few minutes later, the trees opened onto a rocky stretch of shore.
Half-hidden in the cliff face was a broad cave entrance with a rough wooden sign hanging beside it.
It was less a proper tavern than a shelter carved into the rock for travelers and lake workers who knew the area, and from the outside, it looked almost deserted.
Perfect.
I changed into something sensible this time.
Once I had finished, I was still trying to figure out what to do with my wet clothes when Rhaevan spoke.
"Allow me?"
I handed them over, still unsure what he intended.
He raised a hand, and a faint spark of magic danced across his fingers. A gentle current of air passed over the clothes in my hands, and within seconds, the water evaporated.
I stared at the perfectly dry fabric.
"You can do that with magic?"
Rhaevan nodded.
"Then why didn't you do that before?" I demanded. "Why did you let me walk around looking like a drowned rat?"
He hesitated.
"I can do it easily on myself, but it's more complicated when someone else is involved."
He continued after a brief pause.
"Drying magic works best when the fabric is separated from the person wearing it. Your clothes were soaked through and clinging to you. To dry them properly, I would have needed to control the spell very precisely so I could draw the water out of the fabric without affecting your skin, hair,
or anything underneath it."
He stopped, then added more quietly, "I wasn't going to risk making you uncomfortable just to save a few minutes. Besides, you were already cold."
His ears had turned slightly red.
I tightened my grip on his coat.
"You can keep the coat," Rhaevan said.
I started to protest, but he had already turned toward the entrance.
He took a few steps before stopping.
"Cassiane."
I waited.
"You looked good."
I frowned slightly.
"What?"
"The dress you wore before."
He hesitated for only a moment this time.
"You looked beautiful."
My mind promptly stopped being useful.
"I didn't mean to make you feel bad this morning," he continued. "I just... you were too pretty for our journey, and I didn't know how to say it without sounding foolish."
So that was what he had been trying to say.
I should have known this idiot magician was just as terrible at compliments as he was at explaining himself.
He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Just be careful. We're going into unfamiliar territory, and I don't want you getting hurt."
My heart gave one very unnecessary flutter.
Why did he have to say things like that?
More importantly, why was I suddenly having the completely unreasonable urge to kiss him?
I tightened my grip on his coat and reminded myself that I still possessed something called common sense.
"I'll be careful."
He gave a small nod.
"Good."
Then he turned and walked toward the entrance.
I remained where I was for a moment, trying to convince myself that my heart had not just betrayed me.
I just realised that unfamiliar territories weren't the only thing I needed to be careful around.