Chapter 55
55
~Elara’s POV
“You’re amazing,” Darlon said, swimming up beside me. “Look at you… My brave Luna, learning so fast p>
I felt my cheeks heat up. “Brave Luna?” I said softly, staring at him.
“Always,” he whispered, smiling. He reached out, brushing wet strands of hair from my face. “You’ve been so strong, Elara. Today, tomorrow… always. I’m proud of you p>
I shivered, not from the water, but from the intensity of his gaze. “I… I want to be brave like you. But sometimes I… I feel scared p>
“That’s normal,” he said, cupping my face. “Even I get scared sometimes. But you… You face it anyway. That’s what makes you strong. That’s what makes you beautiful p>
I felt tears prick my eyes, but I blinked them back. “You really mean that p>
“Every word,” he said softly. “Now… let me teach you something fun p>
He guided me to the deeper part of the pool, holding me close. “Float on your back. I’ll support you p>
I let go of my fear, trusting him completely. My back rested against his chest, his arms around me, holding me steady. I felt safe, loved, and exhilarated all at once.
“You’re doing it!” he whispered. “Look at you… floating, swimming… laughing. I love it p>
I laughed, the sound bubbling out of me. “I… I can’t believe I’m doing this p>
“You can do anything,” he said, smiling down at me. “As long as I’m with you p>
I looked up at him, and suddenly I wanted more than just his words. I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his. He responded immediately, deepening the kiss while holding me close in the water.
I laughed softly against his lips. “We’ll never get out of this pool at this rate p>
“I don’t care,” he whispered, smiling as he kissed me again. “Not if it’s just us, here, now p>
I felt my heart swell, my chest pressed against his, the water rippling around us. For the first time in forever, I felt completely, utterly alive.
Then he tilted his head and kissed me again, slower this time, more playful, letting the water carry our laughter and our quiet gasps.
We stayed like that for a while, kissing, laughing, and floating together. Every time I tried to swim a little farther, he encouraged me, held me steady, or playfully splashed me.
“Okay, that’s cheating,” I said, laughing after he splashed water at my face.
“Not cheating,” he said, grinning. “Training p>
“Training?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Swimming… and kissing,” he said, leaning closer, his lips brushing mine again. “Essential skills for a Luna p>
I laughed, splashing him back. “You’re impossible p>
“And you’re stubborn,” he said, smiling as he caught my hand. “But I love it p>
I couldn’t help but grin, heart racing. “I… I think I love this too p>
“You love me,” he corrected, pulling me in for another kiss, playful but electric, water swirling around us, making it impossible to think of anything else.
I tried to paddle toward the edge of the pool, but my legs kept sinking.
“Not yet,” Darlon said, his hands on my waist, steadying me. “Here, let me show you p>
I let him guide me, his touch warm and firm, fingers brushing my sides. “I… I think I’m getting it,” I said, trying not to sound scared.
“You are,” he said softly, his lips close to my ear. “You’re doing perfectly p>
I stared at him for a long moment, heart pounding. “Do you really mean that p>
“Every word,” he said, leaning in slowly. His lips brushed mine, soft at first, teasing, letting me breathe. “You deserve to hear it again and again p>
I closed my eyes and kissed him back, letting the water rock us gently. Our hands found each other, fingers interlacing. I felt electricity shoot through me with every touch.
“You’re so… kissable,” I murmured, laughing softly between kisses.
He chuckled, water dripping from his hair onto my face. “So are you. Don’t hide from me, Elara. Don’t hide from us p>
“I… I don’t want to hide,” I admitted, pressing closer. The water splashed around us as we moved, playful yet intimate.
“Good,” he whispered, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. “Because I don’t want to let go p>
I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him tight, and felt him smile against my lips. “I think… I could get used to this,” I said, laughing between kisses.
“Used to it?” he teased, dipping me slightly under the water before lifting me back up. “No, you’re going to love it. You’re going to love every second p>
I gasped, half-laughing, half-shocked by the sudden splash. “You’re impossible p>
“And you love it,” he countered, grinning, then kissed me again, this time slower, letting the water swirl around us and the sun glitter on our skin.
I laughed, my chest full, my heart racing. “I… I think I really do p>
He held me closer, brushing water-soaked hair from my face. “Good,” he said, voice low. “Because I’m not stopping. Not now, not ever p>
I smiled against his lips, feeling the warmth and safety of his arms. “Then neither am I,” I whispered.
“Okay, one more thing,” he said suddenly, splashing water at me playfully. “Before we stop, you have to try swimming across the pool alone p>
I splashed back at him, half-protesting. “Alone? You just taught me p>
“I know,” he said, smiling warmly. “And now you’ll show me how brave you are p>
I swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and nodded. “Okay… I’ll try p>
“Good,” he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be right here. I won’t let go p>
I pushed off the edge, arms flailing a little, legs kicking, but his voice guided me. “That’s it! Stronger! You’ve got this p>
By the time I reached the other side, my chest heaving and muscles trembling, Darlon was already there, hands outstretched.
“You did it,” he said, his grin infectious. “See? I told you. You’re incredible p>
I laughed, water dripping down my face, and kissed him impulsively, hard and full of relief and joy.
“You’re hopeless,” he said, laughing after our lips parted.
“Not hopeless,” I teased back. “Just… persistent p>
“And I love that about you,” he said, pulling me into a tight embrace, letting the water swirl around us, sunlight reflecting like diamonds on the surface.
I leaned against him, heart full, thinking that maybe… this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I was laughing as Darlon held me in the water when I heard someone call out.
“Elara! You’re drowning over there?” Janae’s voice cut through, teasing. I turned my head and saw her standing at the edge of the pool with David beside her.
“I’m fine!” I shouted back, splashing him lightly. “He’s just… teaching me!” I pointed at Darlon, who was grinning like a proud little wolf.
“Teaching, huh?” David smirked. “Looks more like she’s clinging to you for dear life p>
“She is!” Darlon defended me, laughing. “But that’s because she’s brilliant, and I’m a patient teacher p>
Janae rolled her eyes, stepping closer to the water. “Brilliant? She’s barely keeping afloat p>
“Hey!” I shouted, splashing her this time. Water hit her shoulder, and she yelped.
“Okay! Okay! Truce!” she laughed, holding her hands up. David laughed too, shaking his head. “This is chaos,” he muttered.
Darlon shook his head, smiling at me. “See? You’re the center of attention p>
“I… am not!” I protested, laughing so hard water splashed into my eyes.
“Exactly,” he said, pulling me into a quick, soft kiss, water dripping from our hair. “You are p>
Janae clapped her hands mockingly. “Oh my goodness. I’m watching you two make out in the pool. And I’m jealous p>
“Beta David is there with you, Janae. He is all yours,” I shot back, laughing, hiding my face in Darlon’s chest.