Raine's POV

Alaric and I spent the rest of the day talking. He really was fun to be around, and all in all, the situation was as favorable as it could be, because we were building a very solid friendship. Realistically, it was more than I could have hoped for, given most vampires’ cruel behavior. 

As the sun began to descend in the sky, he ordered playfully, "Go fetch a bathing suit. I am taking you swimming."

"What?!" I asked excitedly. I adored being in the water, and it had been such a long time since I enjoyed the feeling of the cool liquid encasing my body. My heart turned...