Ember POV

She reached out to him and pulled him under the water and he squeaked, making her laugh.

“No fair,” he complained. “I wasn’t ready.”

“Whatever,” she replied, cupping some water in her hands and throwing it at him.

He tugged her closer and then dunked her head under the stream. She spluttered and slapped him playfully. He dodged her counter-attack, but couldn’t avoid the spray when she shook her head like a wet dog.

Laughing, Marksman pulled her close again and kissed her. It was so…normal. Normal and beautiful and perfect, and for a moment, Ember forgot that this was only a sojourn. She forgot that Hope Springs...