Page 4 of Cleansed By Water (The Nature Hunters Academy 3)

Tara crossed her arms. “Am I supposed to be impressed?”

“You were impressed last night …andthis morning.”

“Well, I wasn’t thinking properly, of course, with everything going on. And that was before you made that silly garden comment.”

He took a step closer. “Really? Because I seem to remember you saying I had an impressive spade. And that you wanted me to plant my seed deep in your fertile soil.”

She rolled her eyes. “Do you realize how silly you sound right now?”

“What can I say? I’m a master horticulturist.”

“You’re a dweeb. Now, put your clothes on.”

“As you wish,” he repeated, finding his own uniform and pulling it on. He took her hand and led her from his room. As they walked, Tara’s mind wandered over the information she’d learned in the past twenty-four hours. Her head was packed like an overstuffed suitcase, and she wondered how she could handle any more surprises. Was there a point in which her little human brain would simply explode from too much overload? She felt a tug inside and glanced over at Elias.

“Quit worrying,” he said softly. “We’re going to be fine.”

“Quit eavesdropping on my emotions,” she grumbled back.

“Sorry, love. It’s part of the package.”

Tara didn’t respond because they’d just stepped into the dining hall, and she saw Shelly sitting at a table with Ra and Liam.

She let go of Elias's hand and ran across the room. When she reached the group, Tara grabbed Shelly and pulled her out of her seat and into a tight hug. Tara had never been a hugger. But once your BFFF had been to hell-literally-it seemed like something worth adding to her list of okay emotional expressions.

“How are you?” Tara asked as they pulled away from each other.

“I’m excellent,” Shelly said with a huge smile. There was also a nice little red glow in her cheeks. “You?”

Tara’s own smile was, no doubt, just as big. “I’m excellent as well. I missed you.”

“I missed you too, bestie. We’ve got a lot to catch up on and little time to do it.”

“Very true,” Tara said.

Shelly noticed an empty table close by and motioned to it. “Let’s sit there for a little bit and have a fast share fest.”

Tara glanced at Elias, who she knew would be listening. He looked slightly unhappy but gave her a small smile and a nod.

Ra stood and took Shelly’s face in one of his hands. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip and whispered something to her. Shelly nodded and then held still as the huge Egyptian leaned down and kissed her so gently it made Tara’s heart clench in awe.

As Tara and Shelly walked over to the table, her friend seemed to be floating on air.

“He seems intense,” Tara said.

“He is.” Shelly sighed like a lovesick fool.

Tara smiled. “You’re smitten.”

“Isoam, sister. Smitten like a kitten in a mitten.”

“That made no sense.”

Shelly shrugged. “Pretty sure being drunk on love and sex will make you spout nonsense.”

Tara’s eyes widened. “So, bonded, married, and sexed?” She whistled. “Wow, BFFF, when you go in, you go all in.”

“I’ve been to hell, Tara-bear. Pretty sure I have every right to go all in considering I could have died or been tied to the devil for all eternity.”

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