Page 61 of City of Secrets and Shadows
Octavia bit her lip. “I suspected as much. I’ve brought this as well.” She produced a short, tight-fitting tunic made of lightweight material. “It won’t hinder your movement much, and we can claim it’s for modesty’s sake.”
“Thank you, Tavi.” I slipped the tunic over my head, adjusting it. “What exactly should I expect today? I haven’t done much swimming since I was a child.”
“From what I’ve gathered, it’s not meant to be primarily a swimming test,” Tavi reassured me. “Most of the obstacles are in shallow water — you should be able to touch the ground throughout. It’s more about endurance and navigating obstacles while partially submerged.”
“Why water trials at all?” I asked, securing the loincloth beneath the tunic. “It seems an odd requirement for dragon riders.”
“Much of the northern frontier borders Talfen territory,” Tavi explained. “Their lands are riddled with rivers, lakes, and marshes. It’s said that’s why they’re such strong swimmers — children learn almost before they can walk. The academy wantsriders who can survive if separated from their dragons in such terrain.”
I nodded, though anxiety still curled in my stomach. “You’re sure about being able to touch the bottom?”
“That’s what the servants were saying when they prepared the area yesterday,” Tavi said, helping me bind my hair back. “The deepest sections barely reach a tall man’s chest.”
The assurance did little to quell my unease. I’d grown up in the desert, and even though there had been a river nearby, it had been shallow most of the year, and dry the rest of the time. The only time you could have swum would have been after a major storm, and the water had been so stirred up, it would have been too dangerous. Swimming wasn’t something you learned out there.
“I’ll manage,” I said, more to convince myself than Tavi. “After all, how difficult can it be compared to the arena?”
Tavi’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just be careful. The noble-born have been swimming in private baths since childhood. They’ll be watching for any weakness.”
“Wonderful,” I muttered, adjusting the tunic one last time. “Another opportunity to fail spectacularly in front of the entire academy.”
“Did something go wrong last night then?” Tavi said, smoothing my tunic across my shoulders. “Septimus looked rather... intense when I passed him this morning.”
Heat rushed to my face. “Did he say anything?”
“Not a word, just stormed past like a thundercloud with legs.” She paused, her hands stilling on my shoulders. “So it finally happened, then?”
I groaned, dropping onto the edge of the bed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone who’s been watching you two circle each other for years.” She sat beside me, her expression softening. “Was it... good?”
Despite everything, I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips. “Good doesn’t begin to describe it.”
“About time,” Tavi said with a laugh. “The way you two argue, I’m surprised the whole palace didn’t catch fire.”
“It wasn’t just…” I searched for the right words. “There’s this darkness in him, Tavi. And in me too. When we’re together, it’s like something ignites.”
Her smile faded slightly. “Be careful with him, Livia. Septimus holds everything inside, and one day I think he’ll just snap.”
“You think I don’t know how to handle him by now?”
“I think you’re the only one who can handle him,” she countered. “But that doesn’t make it safe.”
I laughed, though the sound came out hollow. “Nothing about what we’re doing is safe.”
“This is different.” Tavi took my hand. “Your heart isn’t something you can protect with a sword or shield.”
“Who said anything about hearts?” I pulled my hand away, standing to adjust my bindings again. “It was one night.”
“And tonight?”
I avoided her knowing gaze. “We’ll see.”
“That's what I thought.” Tavi stood, straightening her own dress. “Just remember, he’s been yours since the day he found you. Whether you wanted him or not.”
“You make him sound like a stray dog I took in.”
“More like a wolf,” she corrected. “One that’s only ever half-tamed, no matter how loyal it seems.”
