Page 70 of Knot Your Sunshine
"It's gorgeous," I breathe, but Noa's already moving toward the waterfall itself, picking his way along wet rocks.
"But are you ready for the real surprise?" He stands right at the edge where water meets rock, spray misting his skin.
"We're taking a natural shower?"
"Better." Without warning, he steps directly through the waterfall and vanishes.
"Noa!" I stare at the curtain of water, my mouth hanging open. "You've got to be kidding me."
His hand appears through the fall, fingers beckoning.
What the hell?
I hesitate, heart hammering, then suck in a deep breath and plunge through. The waterfall slams into me like a cold slap, my sundress clinging instantly to my skin. I surface with a gasp, sputtering, shoving wet hair from my face.
When my vision clears, I realize we’re standing in the mouth of a cave. Behind me, sunlight streams through the cascade, scattering patterns of shifting light across the walls.
"You could have told me to bring my bikini!" I'm laughing despite myself, wringing water from my dress.
"I did mention getting wet." His grin is wicked, water droplets clinging to his eyelashes as he hands me a towel from his bag. "Besides, you look beautiful all... drenched."
The cool water has me shivering, but the heat in his gaze warms me right back up, spreading from my chest outward.
"Come on." He pulls two small flashlights, handing me one. "It gets better."
The beam cuts through darkness as we move deeper, our wet footsteps echoing in the wide passage, heavy with the scent of damp earth and minerals.
"How do you even know about this place?" I trail my fingers along the smooth wall, amazed by how the rock has been worn to silk by water.
"My grandfather brought me here when I was eight. His grandfather showed him. It's been a family secret for generations."
"And you're sharing it with me?"
He glances back, something vulnerable flickering across his features. "You're the first person outside my family and pack I've ever brought here."
I blush at the privilege of being here, and we keep walking, the passage widening until it opens into a vast chamber. Ourflashlights sweep across the space, revealing a cavern that soars forty feet overhead, stalactites hanging like nature's chandeliers.
"This is incredible." My whisper seems too loud in the vast space.
"There's something special about this place." Noa sets his flashlight on a flat rock, angling the beam upward to illuminate the ceiling. "There's a legend. Two lovers from warring families discovered this cave. They would meet here in secret, away from everyone trying to keep them apart."
"Like Romeo and Juliet?"
"Except with a better ending." He retrieves the ukulele from his bag, fingers finding the strings. "Among those who know about this place, there's a song about them. And the acoustics here..." He plays a single note that rings through the chamber, pure and dreamy, seeming to hang in the air forever.
"Oh my God." I close my eyes, letting the sound wash over me. "You could record an album in here. The natural reverb is insane."
He chuckles at my observation, but his fingers are already moving into a proper melody. The tune starts simple, almost hesitant, then builds into something that makes my chest ache with its beauty. Each note layers upon the last, the cave transforming them into something otherworldly. The song seems to speak of longing… of stolen moments… of love that defies all obstacles.
Without thinking, I drift closer, drawn by the music and his presence. When the last note finally dissolves into silence, I realize I'm standing close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his body.
"That was beautiful," I whisper.
He carefully stows the ukulele away, then turns to face me fully. "Want to see the other magic of this place?"
"There's more?"
"Turn off your flashlight."
