I gave up trying to communicate with Miguel, he did not even listen to what I had to say and just thought about how well we were getting along.
As I pivoted on my heel, fully prepared to depart from the enigmatic confines of the Deep Forest, an unforeseen misfortune befell me. A treacherous slip occurred beneath my feet, obliterating my delicate equilibrium, and I found myself hurtling towards the ominous depths of the Deep Forest Lake. The recent downpour, merely a day prior, had saturated the forest floor, rendering it a mire of muddy entanglement.
Time seemed to slow as I descended, gravity's relentless pull guiding me towards the unknown waters below.
The air rushed past my ears with an ethereal sigh, as if whispering ancient secrets that were lost to the depths of the forest. Panic mingled with the adrenaline coursing through my veins, heightening my senses to the impending impact that awaited me.
With an abrupt splash, I plunged into the murky depths of the Deep Forest Lake, the waters consuming me with a chilling embrace. The world around me transformed into an aquatic realm, where refracted beams of sunlight danced through the water's surface, casting an otherworldly glow upon the subaquatic terrain.
I had been very careful along the way, and if Miguel had not interfered, I would not have fallen into the lake at all.
The mud-laden currents swirled around me, a tempestuous concoction that clouded my vision and encumbered my movements. The once-clear depths of the lake had been muddied by the recent rainfall, casting an opaque shroud upon the underwater realm.
As I struggled to regain my composure amidst the aqueous chaos, the sensation of slimy sediment enveloping my limbs served as a constant reminder of the Deep Forest's unforgiving nature.
Being wrapped in the cold water of the lake was also a part of my nightmare. Suddenly, I lost all ability to struggle and had to let the lake swallow me deeper.
Every movement became a laborious battle against the forces of nature, the weight of the sodden mud clinging tenaciously to my form. Each attempt to propel myself towards the water's surface was met with resistance, the very elements seemingly conspiring to prolong my immersion in this aqueous abyss.
I closed my own eyes tightly as the memory of falling into the waterfall a month ago kept appearing from my mind, bringing me back to that night of despair over and over again.
Disoriented and disconcerted, I fought against the instinctual panic that threatened to consume me. My lungs yearned for a fresh breath of air, and the suffocating embrace of the Deep Forest Lake added an additional layer of urgency to my predicament.
My muscles strained against the resistance, propelling me with fervent determination towards the light-dappled surface above.
Lyssa kept saying something in my head, but I could not concentrate on what she was actually saying.
"So, am I going to die here today?"
I felt like I was about to lose my breath as my brain was not clear due to lack of oxygen, and I began to wonder who else would be grieving for my death besides Allora.
Before I could come up with a name, I felt my hand being grabbed by a person and then he took me into his arms.
Even in the cold lake, his body temperature was still very high, I could not control myself and subconsciously buried into his arms.
Finally, the weight of the Deep Forest's embrace slowly released its grip on me, allowing me a respite from the treacherous depths. The muddy residue clung to my skin like a testament to the perils I had endured, a tangible reminder of the unforgiving terrain that lay hidden within the depths of the Deep Forest.
Suddenly, he reached out and cupped my chin, two soft things came to my lips, I opened my eyes and saw Miguel's blue eyes, his gaze was full of concern.
Soon, I realized what he was doing.
He was kissing me!
I reached out to push him away, but in the river, restraining myself from thinking about the desperate past had exhausted all my strength, not to mention that my strength was not as strong as Miguel.
I could not push him away, so I let his nimble tongue pry open my teeth and give me air.
Our breaths mingled and I was actually a little fascinated, as if we were supposed to be so close.
After realizing that Miguel was saving me, I gave up resisting and obediently swam towards shore with him.
His lips never left mine. By the end of the day, I had almost forgotten we were still in the water and was almost about to indulge in his kiss.
Luckily, we finally left the cold lake before I could not resist responding to him.
I lay helplessly on the grass breathing fresh air, completely ignoring the mud after the rain to dirty my clothes, after all, I had been soaked, and then a little mud was no big deal.
Oxygen gradually filled my brain, and I then reacted to what had just happened.
Miguel and I kissed!
I felt my face burn a little, and I guessed I might have blushed.
I believed that whoever was in this situation would be as embarrassed as I was.
Oh my God, I could not even look Miguel in the eye at the point!
**
Miguel's POV
Lya's vibrant crimson tresses cascaded in lustrous strands, saturated with the waters of the Deep Forest Lake. The droplets clung to her hair, glistening like precious gems in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the dense foliage above.
Each lock of dampened scarlet silk adhered to the curves of her slender frame, accentuating the delicate contours of her figure.
As my gaze met the captivating sight before me, an involuntary response stirred within me, an intense fascination that held me captive. The mesmerizing allure of Lya's wet, tousled mane drew my eyes inexorably downward, where the damp tendrils gracefully skimmed the contours of her chest.
A delicate vulnerability seemed to emanate from that seemingly innocuous detail, beckoning my gaze to linger, to appreciate the alluring interplay of water and hair against the canvas of her exquisite form.
Caught between admiration and an inner turmoil, my eyes lingered for a fleeting moment, captivated by the enthralling sight that had unfolded before me. It was as if time itself had suspended, allowing this ethereal tableau to etch itself into the recesses of my mind.
The subtle rise and fall of her chest, accentuated by the weight of her soaked hair, offered an almost hypnotic rhythm that enticed me further into this unspoken exchange.
Aware of the intensity of my gaze, I attempted to redirect my attention, to avert my eyes from this alluring spectacle that threatened to consume my thoughts. Yet, the magnetic pull proved irresistible, as if the strands of her damp hair held an inexplicable power, weaving a spell that ensnared my senses.
A flush of warmth crept upon my cheeks as I reluctantly tore my gaze away, a mix of desire and apprehension coalescing within me. It was a momentary lapse, a glimpse into a realm of attraction that I dared not fully explore.
The waters of the Deep Forest Lake had stirred more than just ripples upon its surface; it had awakened a dormant longing within me, one that both enticed and frightened.
Though my eyes had momentarily succumbed to the captivating sight before me, I soon regained my composure, conscious of the need to maintain a respectful distance. A veil of unspoken tension hung in the air, a silent acknowledgement of the intensity that had flickered between us.
Yet, I knew that to traverse the path ahead, to navigate the complexities of our intertwined destinies, I would need to master the tempestuous currents that surged within me.
The dress clung closely to her body, outlining the beautiful curves of the young girl. At that moment I realized that Lya was no longer the little girl who cried and complained to me, and I could even describe her body as "hot".
Noticing my gaze, Lya frowned, folded her arms in front of her chest and glared at me menacingly. If her face was not so red, maybe it would look a little more intimidating.
"Do not ever bother me again," Lya yelled at me, "I've had enough of you."
"Do you really think it's an intrusion?" I ran my hand over my lips, "Did not you just indulge in that kiss?"
"No!" Lya said very loudly on purpose.
I bet she was lying and would have responded to my kiss if she had been in the water a little longer.
Lya walked away in a huff and this time I did not go after her, thinking I needed to give her some time to come to terms with what had just happened.
**
Lya's POV
I stamped hard on the ground beneath my feet and walked quickly toward MoonWar's territory, shame and anger filling my heart.
Because Miguel's words struck my heart, I did indulge in that kiss.
Maybe the mate link was just too strong, and even though he had rejected me, I could not help but be moved for him.
When Miguel looked at me with those charming eyes and apologized, I was damn shaken up.
Especially when I fell into the river and he came to my rescue regardless of his own safety, my heart felt as if it had been hit by a bullet.
I could not help but feel a little frustrated as to why Miguel had such a strong influence on me.
"Lya," Lyssa whispered to me, "You are not starting to waver, are you?"
"I do not know, maybe a little." I answered Lyssa honestly.
"Have you forgotten how desperate you were when you faced the waterfall?" Lyssa's voice got serious, "Have you forgotten that if he had not rejected you, you would not have been hurt so badly at all?"
Lyssa's words reminded me of that desperate day again, which quickly chilled my heart, "Lyssa..."
Her tone was filled with anger, "You had passed out by then, but I will never forget the pain and despair I felt that day in the river."
Yes, we had experienced such deep pain, should I have to foolishly turn back after being abandoned by mate?
"I am sorry, Lyssa, I'll always remember that day as much as you will." I hung my head and apologized to Lyssa, "I'll have no further dealings with him again."
Just out of the Deep Forest, I saw Joseph standing in the same place waiting for me.
Droplets of water cascaded from my saturated clothing, leaving a trail of moisture in my wake, as if the forest itself had bestowed upon me a baptism of nature's essence.
Joseph's eyes widened in surprise at the sight before him. His gaze traveled from my bedraggled appearance to the glistening strands of hair that clung to my face, revealing the ordeal I had endured within the labyrinthine depths of the forest.
A mixture of concern and curiosity played across his features, as if he yearned to unravel the enigma of my waterlogged state.
Breathing heavily, I approached him, the forest's symphony of tranquility gradually reclaiming its hold upon my senses. The weight of the sodden fabric clung to my frame, offering a reminder of the tumultuous journey that had led me to this very moment. With a weary smile, I attempted to convey a semblance of reassurance amidst the chaotic circumstances.
"Lya, what happened?"
"Joseph," I began, my voice laced with a tinge of exhaustion and a hint of intrigue, "it seems I've encountered a rather unexpected plunge into the Deep Forest Lake. A mishap, I suppose, but fear not, I emerged unscathed."
Joseph's relaxed smile wavered momentarily, his eyes searching mine for any hidden traces of distress or peril. Concern etched itself into the lines of his face, his protective nature asserting itself instinctively in response to my plight.
His genuine concern resonated within me, reminding me of the unwavering support he had consistently offered throughout our intertwined journeys.
I did not want Joseph to know that Miguel had been here, maybe because Joseph hated me so much for mentioning Miguel after Miguel defeated Joseph last time.
With a brief pause to gather my thoughts, I recounted the mishap that had befallen me within the Deep Forest. The treacherous terrain, the slip of my footing, and the ensuing plunge into the murky depths of the lake. I spared no detail, describing the disorienting sensation of being engulfed by the chill of the water and the struggle to resurface amidst the muddied chaos.
As I relayed the tale, Joseph's expression transformed from surprise to empathy, his eyes reflecting an understanding of the precariousness I had encountered. His relaxed demeanor shifted to a composed seriousness, as if mentally calculating the potential consequences and the need for immediate action.
"That's pretty careless of you." Joseph took off his jacket and wrapped it around my body, "Allora told you to go to her."
"Okay." I nodded and turned to leave.