“Arwyn. Arwyn! I’m sorry, okay?” I barely heard Darius after I launched a stream of water at his face and stormed to the grassy bank. Which was quite a feat given I couldn’t actually stomp until I got out of the water.

“You had all this time to tell me the truth,” I spat at him “and you pick now. Now that I’ve ended my engagement. Now that you and I have a sliver of a chance of making things work. Now that…” I threw my hands in the air and collapsed on a rock. Now that I’ve kissed you again.

“Ar.” His fingers tenderly rubbed circles on my back.

My heart swelled at his touch, my body aching to give in. “Darius, did you not tell me because you wanted me all to yourself? Is this some sort of selfish alpha male thing?”

He shook his head. “Of course not. I care about you, Arwyn. And I just want what’s best for you.

I longed for the taste of his lips on mine, the feel of his hands over my body… “No.” I shook my head. “Darius, I appreciate that you let me stay with you last night, but you were right. I was too vulnerable, and I shouldn’t have…last night was…”

“Do you regret it?” he asked. “Kissing me last night?”

I shook my head. “I don’t regret it. But it still wasn’t the right time.”

“So…there’s going to be a right time?” He looked up at me hopefully.

I hope so.

“See you later, Darius.” I walked away, tousling my hair with my fingers as I let it dry on my way back to the cabins. This was only my second training day with Darius and we couldn’t even get through it without fighting.

“Trouble on the horizon?” Caesaria asked. She crossed her arms over her chest as she approached.

I waved. “Try all the time. I broke off my engagement with Raydir.”

Caesaria’s expression turned solemn. “Oh, Arwyn.” She wrapped me into a hug. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay. It was a mutual decision after all, but leaving in the middle of the night—”

“Wait, you left in the middle of the night? Where did you go?”

I winced. “Promise you won’t be mad?”

“Promise.” She looped her arm through mine. “But tell me as we walk because I’m hungry.”

“I stayed with Darius last night.”

“You—what?! Arwyn, why didn’t you come to me? You know you could’ve stayed with me.”

“I actually might need to take you up on that offer.”

“Anytime, Ar.” We entered the Grand Cabin and took seats at one of the tables. “So did something happen with Darius?”

“We…kissed a little. Nothing major because my ribs are still healing. But then today he confirmed what I feared about the connection, the marking, everything.”

She regarded me with hesitation. “What did he say?”

“I have until the third alignment to make my decision. And…I don’t know, I’m mad at myself. I like Darius a lot, and he likes me. But here I am looking for reasons not to pursue him?”

“Arwyn, it’s natural to have doubts.”

“I’m not having doubts, Cae. But if I can’t trust him…”

“Have you thought that maybe he didn’t tell you because—”

“If you say protect me, I’m going to smack you. Just like I told Darius this morning. ‘Trust me’. ‘I’m trying to protect you’. I just can’t take it anymore.” I looked up as one of the servers placed a salad in front of me before I stabbed at the food with my fork. “I wish for once people would stop trying to protect me. This is my life.”

“I know it’s your life, Arwyn. But…” she looked around the room. “Look, I’m going to tell you something because Darius is a guy and he’s obviously crazy about you so he won’t tell you this, but Darius is like your soul mate, Arwyn. There is a reason why the two of you fight so much yet always come back to kiss and make up.”

“I’m not kissing him ever again.” Pfft, yeah right.

Caesaria smirked. “You seriously underestimate your feelings for him, Arwyn. Listen, I have to run, but I’ll see you later?”

I nodded. “See you. And your offer still stands, right? I can come stay with you?”

She gave me a hug. “I’ll talk to Rosie about getting you an extra cot.” With that she hurried away, leaving me to finish my lunch in quiet.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

“I’m going to bed,” Caesaria said later that evening. “If you need anything, just knock. I hope the couch will be okay until we can get you that cot. Then you’ll be able to bunk in my room. And sorry for not having an extra room.”

“It’s alright, Cae. I promise. You weren’t expecting to have a roommate, right? Heck, if I knew that Ray and I were anywhere near the end, I would’ve told Rosie to give us a one-bedroom cabin on our arrival here.” I curled my fingers around a mug of hot ibisco tea.

“Arwyn, do not beat yourself up over ending your engagement. It doesn’t define you. And…well, maybe just think about Darius.”

I raised my eyebrows and she rolled her eyes.

“Think about what I said about Darius,” she clarified.

“I will. Night.”

Thunder rumbled in the distance. As I settled into the couch, the rain began to hammer down on the cabin roof. I closed my eyes, breathing in the beauty of the rain. Ever since I was a child, the rain had always been my favorite. Maybe that’s why my powers were to control water.

I opened the book I’d borrowed from the library in the Grand Cabin. With the aroma of the tea and the sound of rain pelting against the cabin windows, I soon drifted off with the comfort of knowing I was safe here. No Raydir. No Darius. Just me.

“You’re late!” I hissed as I let my sister into our bedroom well after she’d agreed to return from her rendezvous with a man she called Earl Bennett.

Arabella quietly closed the door. “Sorry. We got caught up in the moment.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t get caught.”

She pulled at the pins that held her hair into a fancy updo, letting her dark tresses tumble down her back. “Relax, Ar. Ginny took me through the servant quarters so I wouldn’t be seen. And I’m back now.”

I huffed and bounced on the bed. “He better be worth it, Bella. Your ceremony is in a few days, what happens if it’s not his name you pick?”

“Then we will run away together.” She placed her hand over mine. “I know what it means, Arwyn, and I’m prepared for the consequences.”

“Even if it means leaving me?” My voice came out barely above a whisper.

Tears filled Arabella’s eyes. “I love you, Arwyn. With all my heart.” She reached forward and brushed my hair behind my ears. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“Then don’t.” My voice broke.

She leaned forward and kissed my temple. “Get some sleep, Ar. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Much to my dismay, I woke up remembering I had a medical appointment with Raydir to check the progression of my bruises. The sun warmed my skin as the wind wisped my hair over my shoulders on my walk.

The medical cabin was nearly empty when I arrived with just some of the healers mulling around. I smiled when my gaze landed on Raydir.

“You’re always so punctual,” I teased upon seeing Raydir when I had been instructed to an empty medical bed.

Raydir laughed. “Always. So, Arwyn, how are you feeling? Any pain?” It had only been two days, but things between us had been surprisingly good.

I shook my head. “Not really. I think the daily swims have helped.”

“That’s to be expected. As an acquator, the water speeds up the healing process. Can I see the bruises?” Raydir closed the curtain around the bed.

“Yeah.” My fingers fumbled with the buckles of my top. I pulled it open so he could see the bruises.

“Looks like they’re fading nicely. He hesitantly reached out to palpate. “Any pain when I do this?”

Only emotional, I thought to myself, forgetting we still had our mind link for now.

His eyes flickered up to meet mine.

“No pain,” I settled on responding, swinging my legs. “Are you preparing for the next Alignment?”

“Arwyn, we don’t have to do this.”

“Do what?”

“Pretend to make small talk just because we ended our engagement. We are still friends, we will always still be friends, Ar.”

“So then why can’t we make actual small talk?”

Raydir ran a hand through his hair. “We can make small talk. But maybe about something other than the Alignment? The last two…well, we’ve had each other to lean on. This time, we have to learn how to cope differently.”

“Right. Do you have the recipe for the ibisco tea?”

“Rosie gave it to me. It’ll certainly be different without you there, but…”

“Yeah. I know.”

He opened the curtain again after I had re-clasped my top. “You are all set. Keep going to the lake, it’s definitely helping.”

“I will. Listen, are you free at all tomorrow?”

“I think I can spare a long lunch. Why, what were you thinking?”

“Maybe we could have a picnic?”

“Feeling sentimental?”

Raydir laughed. “You could say that. So, are you in?”

“I’m in. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I smiled, giving him a hug. Things between us needed to be as platonic as possible. But sooner or later I would have to accept that a part of my heart would always belong to Raydir.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I caught up with Caesaria by the lake for lunch. We were laying on the grass, just enjoying the sunlight and each other’s company. I liked having Caesaria to talk to. She reminded me a lot of Arabella and had really made my time in Darqua all the better since my arrival.

Caesaria turned to me. “If you could go back and do it over, would you? The Fate Ceremony?” We were laying on the grass out by the lake after her Council meeting, just enjoying the sunlight and each other’s company.

I tucked my hands behind my head. It had only been a few days, but I was already able to lift my arms higher without any pain shooting through my ribs. “I’m not sure. Maybe if I didn’t know Raydir, but I was always taught that the Fate Ceremony was supposed to be the most magical moment of our lives. My parents went through it and even at nine years old, I knew I wanted to be as happy as they are. But maybe if I’d known Darius more…I don’t know. I think I would’ve still chosen Raydir in that moment.”

“That makes sense. So, things with Darius. What’s the latest?”

I sighed and leaned back on the grass, swiping a hand down my face. “Complicated. We haven’t talked since he told me that I have to decide who I want before the next alignment.”

“How are you feeling about all of it?” she asked.

“Conflicted. As much as it pains me that I broke up with Raydir, I think there’s something to be said about first love. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my relationship with Raydir. But Darius…he makes me feel confident. He understands me in a way Raydir never really did.” I cleared my throat. “What about you? If you had the chance to do things differently, would you have stayed for your Fate Ceremony?”

“Truthfully?”

“Only if you want to tell me.”

She nodded. “I do. Truthfully, I don’t think I would’ve ever gone through with my Fate Ceremony. I like the idea of being with a partner. Heck, if Darius and I had grown up together maybe he would’ve been my first love. But I never desired anything beyond romance.”

“Arwyn?” Darius called.

Caesaria and I sat up. “Your lesson?” Cae asked.

I nodded. “Sorry. I lost track of the time. Save me a seat later at dinner? We can go riding after.”

“It’s a plan.” She hugged me. “Don’t get into too much trouble with Darius.”

I laughed. “I’ll try. No promises, though. And thank you.”

As Darius came into view, he smiled and waved when he saw us. “Hey, I didn’t know you two were hanging out.”

“Well, this is our spot,” Caesaria said, crossing her arms over her chest. Upon seeing the confused look on Darius’ face, we burst into laughter. “I’m messing with you. Catch you later.”

Once she was gone, Darius strode over to me, freezing upon seeing the look on my face. “Hey.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Hi. Before you come any closer, I want to establish some ground rules.”

His lips twitched into a smile. “Okay.”

“Rule number one: We will always keep a six-foot difference between us during this and any future lessons. Rule number two: there will be no teasing, flirting, taunting, or kissing. We are to keep things strictly professional.” I took a step forward, he took a step back. “Rule number three—”

“How many rules are there?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Four. Rule number three: You are to remain fully clothed at all times. I will remain fully clothed at all times. You will train me from here while I immerse myself in the water when and if needed.”

“So what’s rule number four?” Amusement glimmered in his eyes.

I glared at him. He was having way too much fun with this. “Rule number four is you will not, under any circumstances, bring up the impending deadline of when I have to make my choice between you and Raydir. Is that all understood?”

Darius dipped his head in agreement. “Yes. Are you ready to begin the lesson?”

“I’m always ready.”

“Good.”

He instructed me on creating a tidal wave and focusing my energy on it. After a few failed attempts and several misdirections because Darius just couldn’t seem to grasp the ‘remain clothed’ concept, we decided to take a break.

“You’re distracted, Arwyn,” Darius said.

I narrowed my eyes. “I have a lot on my mind right now. The next Alignment is coming soon, I ended my engagement, my head is a mess—”

“Then use that to your advantage. Focus on everything—your anger, your fear—when manipulating the water. The power draws from your emotions, and you can use it to your advantage.”

I sighed, preparing my stance to try again. It certainly helped to be submerged in my element.

“How’s this?”

“Good. Now focus your energy on lifting up the water.”

As the water began to curve into the shape of a wave, movement by the woods caught my eye and my expression shifted. “Darius. Get in the water. Now.”

A deep growl sounded from the woods as the rogue emerged from the brush, just as it had done when it showed up for me and Caesaria. Just as it had done when Raydir and I were together. Except this one had a spot of gold in its eyes.

“Dar—”

“I know.” Darius slowly slipped into the water. “Use your powers to keep it at bay. That’s all we can do right now.”

“Uh huh. How exactly do you recommend I do that?”

He rested a hand on my shoulder. “Conjure a tidal wave again. Aim it at the rogue and wait.”

“Wait for what?!” I squeaked, my throat going dry.

Trust me. He brushed his lips over the top of my left shoulder.

Rule number two, Darius.

That’s not what I’m doing, Ar. Focus on the water.

I raised my hands shakily, the water coming with them as it mended itself into a tidal wave, arching toward the wolf. The rogue bared its teeth, clearly angered by the water. “What now?”

“Keep going, you’re doing great.” He rubbed his hands on my shoulders, and I felt a new surge of energy flow through me.

Dammit, Darius—

Yell at me later. I promise this will help.

It better. I urged the water forward so it hung dangerously close over the rogue’s head. He let out a deep, guttural growl and spread its wings. Crap, what now?

Ease back just a bit.

I followed his instructions. The rogue seemed slightly calmer at my retreat, retracting its wings but still keeping them close to its body.

“So what do we do? It’s not attacking us.”

“We can stay here until it leaves,” Darius suggested. “Or we can swim away and hope it doesn’t follow us.”

I cocked my head to the side. “I have an idea.” My fingers delicately drew up small bubbles of water and floated them toward the rogue. The wolf regarded the bubbles carefully then snapped his jaws at each in succession, popping them on his snout. He shook his head in surprise.

My lips twitched into a smile. “Darius, I don’t think it is a threat. Look.” I repeated the gesture, and the rogue jumped at each of the bubbles this time. “He likes it. Like a game.”

“Careful, Ar,” Darius warned.

“I know what I’m doing.” One more round of water tosses, and the rogue seemed satisfied, slinking off into the woods with paying us another speck of attention. “See? It’s gone now. Should we continue with our lesson?”

“We can call it a day if you’d like, actually. This interaction with the rogue…that was very impressive. Not many people would be able to do that.”

I shrugged. “I’m not sure how much of that was me, Darius. You lent me your strength again. And you broke almost all of the rules I just established.”

His lips twitched into a smile. “First of all, I retracted once you changed your course. You controlled the water all by yourself. And in my defense, breaking those rules probably saved our lives.”

“It doesn’t matter Darius. I put those rules in place for a reason.” I ran a hand through my hair and waded to the water’s edge, lifting myself out so that my feet could still dangle in.

“Arwyn, how long are you going to keep me out?” he asked. His blue eyes searched my brown ones for answers.

“As long as I need to, Darius. I made those rules for a reason, okay?” I don’t trust myself around you.

“What can I do?” he asked.

“You can accept these rules. That’s the only way we can keep training together.”

He nodded. “As you wish. See you around.” He dipped his head below the surface of the water and swam away.

Sighing, I stood up and trudged back to Caesaria’s cabin, hoping that Rosie had found us an extra cot by now. No Raydir. No Darius. Again. I was off of guys for the time being.