Page 56 of The Secret Keeper's Daughter

Chapter

Twenty

The water is surprisingly warm,even for a spring. It’s tempting to take a dip and get cleaned up. Since Harek is going to cook our breakfast over a fire, I can dry my hair next to that. I have an extra tunic, which can double as a towel when I get out.

It could work. My pulse drums in my ears as I glance around. Unless someone is hiding among the trees, I’m all alone. The only sounds are the occasional bubbling of the spring.

I look around again before taking off my coat and resting it on the large rock my bag is slung against. Then I slide out of my tunic but leave on my underwear before looking around and dipping into the spring at record speed.

Harek better have been telling the truth about not peeking, but worse was not knowing who—or what—could be lurking around, watching? I’m not giving anyone a show, even for a split second.

I slide down, taking in the warmth of the dark water. This isn’t like the spring kids play in during the short summer back in Skoro. That water is so light and clear the pebbles at the bottom are visible. Not here. I can’t even see my own hands underneath.But when I bring my fingers out of the water, they’re clean. Somehow the deep blue water isn’t murky because of dirt. Good. If anyone does come by, they won’t see anything.

The warmth relaxes me enough that I close my eyes and simply enjoy the moment. Some of the magic inside me moves around, but it isn’t aggressive like before. After a little time passes, I dip down fully and massage my scalp. If I’m going to bathe, I may as well do so properly.

When I emerge, a branch snaps nearby.

Instinctively, I cover myself even though the color of the water hides me and my underclothes completely.

“Is it safe?” Harek’s voice comes from the woods.

“What?” I call, horrified.

“I caught the granddaddy of all jackrabbits. We’re going to eat like the fae kings in the stories we heard as kids!”

“Great. Go away!”

“I’m going to build a fire.”

“Have fun!”

“Are you covered?” he calls.

I hurry to the middle of the spring where the water is the darkest. “I’m in the water!”

Harek emerges from the trees, carrying a rabbit about a quarter his size. For a moment I don’t care that I’m undressed. “What kind of monstrosity is that?”

“Like I said.” He grins. “We’ll have enough food for days.”

My stomach growls at the thought.

He dumps everything on the ground and quickly starts a fire. Next he arranges parts of the animal over it, attaching the pieces to sticks above the flames. His speed at the task makes me think he’s done this plenty of times before.

“Did you do this on purpose?” I ask.

“What?” He adds another log to the fire, and flames burst out, nearly doubling in size. “Perfect. The meat should cook quickly at this rate.”

I glance down at myself, making sure the water still covers me. It does. “Did you tell me to take a dip here, knowing you’d return to see me?”

“No.” He turns to me. “I told you I wasn’t going to peek.”

“But you’re here now.”

“And I can’t see a thing. But I am going to join you.”

A shriek escapes me. “What?”

He removes his coat. “Why not? What’s the difference between this and swimming at the lake?”

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