Page 18 of Midnight Star

“I’m sorry,” I say quickly. “I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just frustrated.”

“Because swimming’s the only thing in the world you aren’t good at?” He smiles, and while I know he’s going for light and playful, it feels more insulting than anything else.

“I’ll be good at it. I just have to learn,” I say, and in an act of defiance, I push off from the shallow end into where it gets deeper… and realize my mistake a second later.

I’m floundering.

Sinking.

No matter how hard I try to move, the water refuses to hold me.

My breaths come fast and shallow. The edges of my vision blur as my head dips under. The water’s entering my eyes, and my nose, and I kick harder, flailing my arms in desperate, uncoordinated movements that only pull me down deeper.

Jake’s there in an instant, his hands gripping my arms. “I’ve got you,” he says, helping me up and out to the shallower end. “You’re okay. Just breathe. You’re safe.”

“I’m fine,” I manage to say, even though the air’s burning my lungs, and my legs feel like jelly.

“You just sank like a rock.”

“I know.” I shake him off and regain my footing, the water now lapping somewhat safely at my shoulders. “I noticed.”

“A very sexy rock?” He says it like a question, as if the comment will earn back my affection.

“Rocks can’t be sexy.” I huff, and he backs off, holding his hands up in surrender.

“Hey,” he says, although he thankfully keeps his distance this time. “I’m just trying to help.”

I close my eyes for a moment and press my fingers to the bridge of my nose, steadying my breathing. “I know,” I say when I’m ready, opening my eyes again and meeting his gaze. “I just don’t understand why this is so hard.”

“It’s hard because you’re making it hard,” Aethelthryth calls from across the way. “You’re overthinking everything and flailing around like a fish caught in a net. Relax.”

“Easy to say when you have water magic,” I mutter, which makes Jake chuckle.

“Maybe try again?” he suggests. “I can hold you while?—”

“I think I’ve had enough for the day,” I cut him off, pushing through the water to get back onto dry land.

The solidness below my feet is absolute heaven.

A second later, Aethelthryth is next to me, placing her hand on my shoulder and using her magic to dry me off.

“Let’s get you changed for lunch,” she says after the last drop of water is gone. “Maybe you’ll have better luck tomorrow.”

“Maybe.” I shrug, since as much as I hate it, this is starting to feel beyond hopeless. Swimming might just not be in the cards for me.

“See you later?” Jake asks, suddenly beside me. His eyes are searching mine, asking for confirmation.

No, more like begging for it.

Princess Cierra always has him go to her quarters for lunch—so she can havehimfor lunch—which means this is where we part ways.

It’s a relief, since after every lesson, I need a break. At first, I thought I needed the break from swimming, but I’m gradually realizing that I need the break fromhim.

“Sounds good,” I say, and then I’m following Aethelthryth back to the human wing, relieved to leave Jake behindbeforehe tried to kiss me.

“If you’re not into him, you’ll do him a favor if you let him down now,” she says once we’re out of Jake and his handler’s earshot. “He has a habit of getting attached.”

I glance at her, frowning. “What do you mean?”

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