Of Betrayal and Ruin: A wolf shifter fantasy romance (The Forest of Denae) by Alexa Michaels & Alexa H. Michaels

Author:Alexa Michaels & Alexa H. Michaels [Michaels, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chowen Publishing House LLC
Published: 2022-06-09T16:00:00+00:00

18 – Ember

“Lake.” I let the word meld over my tongue.

Looking at the massive body of water was even more strange. Short waves lapped against the shoreline, but it was nothing like the current of the river. There wasn’t much room between the grasses and where the water licked the roughhewn dirt bank. Unlike with the river, where there were places with expansive shores or towering bluffs, here the forest came right up to the water and the earth just stopped.

Far out, part of the distant shore seemed to stick out like a quill, jutting into the water. The rocky structure caught my eye, but I had no means to reach it for exploration.

The afternoon was hot, and if my calculations were correct, early summer was upon us. I slipped out of my boots and washed my sweaty feet. The lake’s bottom wasn’t rocky, and the muck my feet churned up had to be washed from my skin as I scrambled back up the bank. Bare toes wiggling into the soft moss of the bank, I took another wary glance at my surroundings.

Cyprus hadn’t meant for me to be in these lands. Of course, I’d chased him anyway. But he’d slipped away, and I’d lost my bearings. Wandering all night, we’d not stopped weaving through the trees. This body of water had seemed as good as any other place to stop and rest.

Not seeing any creatures moving about, and noting the relaxed stance of Cocós, I undid his saddle and coaxed him into the water’s edge. There, I splashed him and rubbed his flanks, removing dirt, grime, and sweat. My own hands were coated with a layer of dirt that I had to scrape off with a piece of bark.

The cool water and the clean horse tempted me to step out of my comfort. Pushing past my ideals of modesty, I removed my own shirt and pants, standing only in my skin. My clothes I rinsed first and hung on a branch to dry. With the breeze and the hot sun, it wouldn’t take long. After, I ventured farther into the water. I wouldn’t go deep, only explore a little.

Tipping my hair back into the liquid, for the first time in weeks I scrubbed my scalp clean, and even without soap it was delightful. When I finally pulled the wet strands off my face, I felt rejuvenated. They fell down my back as I waded through the muddy depths. I expected to see fish scurrying around as they had in the creek, but nothing moved in the green-tinged water. Even though it felt nice on my skin, I wasn’t too sure I should drink it.

The water went to my waist before it dropped suddenly. One step I was walking, and the next...it was like falling as the water crashed over my head.

I spluttered, water rushing into my nostrils. Through the sting, I managed to kick back until I found a footing. In the most awkward combination of moving limbs, I managed to regain the ledge and rose above the surface.

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