More laughter and fun

The forest hummed with life as Lysara and Aurelia walked side by side, their boots crunching over the damp earth. The thick canopy overhead allowed speckled sunlight to dance along the path, making everything glow with an ethereal beauty. Birds with shimmering feathers flitted from tree to tree, their melodic songs blending with the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. Small, mystical creatures peeked curiously from the underbrush, their eyes glowing faintly in the shadows.

Aurelia's eyes sparkled as she took in the landscape. "This place is stunning, Lysara," she breathed, stepping ahead excitedly. "It's like something out of a dream."

Lysara, hands behind her back, nodded, though she barely looked at their surroundings. Instead, she found herself more preoccupied with Aurelia's excitement—the way her pale blue eyes widened at every new sight, the way she twirled on her feet in delight.

They continued deeper into the wilderness, following the gentle gurgle of flowing water. Soon, the trees parted to reveal a small waterfall cascading down moss-covered rocks into a crystal-clear pool. The water shimmered under the sun, inviting and tranquil.

Aurelia turned to Lysara with an eager grin. "We should swim."

Lysara blinked, taken aback. "Swim? Here? Now?"

Aurelia huffed, hands on her hips. "Of course! Don't tell me you're scared?"

Lysara rolled her eyes. "I'm not scared. I just didn't expect you to know how to swim."

Aurelia scoffed. "We have water in Icevire. It's just... frozen."

Lysara chuckled at that. "That's not the same."

Before she could protest further, Aurelia began undressing. Lysara immediately spun around, her face burning. "W-what are you doing?!"

"Getting ready for a swim. What does it look like?" Aurelia teased. "You should turn around and help me if you're so worried."

"Absolutely not!" Lysara nearly growled, her ears turning red.

A loud splash made her whirl around in alarm, heart pounding. "Aurelia!—"

But instead of seeing her sinking, Aurelia surfaced smoothly, smirking. "Oh? You do care."

Lysara exhaled sharply, only to realize too late that Aurelia was not completely undressed. She wore a light, modest undergarment that clung to her curves, her golden hair slicked back, water droplets trailing along the elegant line of her throat, down her collarbone, and further—

Lysara snapped her head away, her heart hammering. "Damn you!"

Aurelia laughed, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Are you coming in or not?"

Grumbling, Lysara quickly stripped down to her own undergarments, stepping into the cool water. Her silver hair cascaded down her back as she submerged herself, the icy blue of her eyes contrasting against her pale skin. The water clung to her like a second skin, highlighting her toned form. Her well-defined abs, sharpened from years of training, glistened under the sunlight filtering through the trees.

Aurelia, instead of hiding her staring, openly admired her. "You know, you could pass for a goddess with that body."

Lysara groaned, rubbing her temples. "You're incorrigible."

Still smirking, Aurelia waded closer, arms out. "Teach me how to float?"

Lysara hesitated, then sighed. "Fine." She placed her hands at Aurelia's waist, guiding her gently. Aurelia, ever the opportunist, leaned into the touch, smiling as Lysara supported her.

Moments later, Aurelia smirked mischievously. "Oh, I should mention—I already know how to swim."

Lysara's hands twitched. "You what?"

Aurelia giggled, slipping free and swimming a short distance away. "I just wanted you to join me. You looked so cute when you were worried."

Lysara groaned, dunking herself underwater in frustration before resurfacing with a glare. "You are unbelievable."

Before Aurelia could respond, a ripple in the water made them both freeze. A creature slithered beneath the surface, its iridescent, scaled body gleaming in the light. It had deep violet eyes and webbed, clawed limbs—a predator of the enchanted waters.

Lysara reacted instantly, summoning her power. With a flick of her fingers, the creature's movement halted mid-strike. Telekinetic energy wrapped around it, squeezing until it let out a muffled screech. With a final, decisive gesture, she sent it flying out of the water, where it crashed against a rock and went still.

Aurelia exhaled. "That was... impressive."

Lysara climbed out, shaking the water from her limbs. "You should be more careful."

Aurelia followed, wrapping herself in a towel. "Speaking of careful, that was the first time I've seen you use your magic up close. How does it work?"

Lysara hesitated, then sat down, legs crossed. She lifted a nearby rock with an invisible force, spinning it effortlessly in the air. "Telekinesis. I can control objects with my mind. I can also seal wounds and heal injuries, though it requires more effort."

Aurelia watched, fascinated. "So you could break someone's bones... and then heal them again?"

Lysara smirked. "If I wanted to."

Aurelia's lips curled into a grin. "That's both terrifying and impressive."

Lysara allowed herself a small smile, tossing the rock toward Aurelia, who caught it, eyes still filled with wonder.

They dressed once more, continuing their exploration. Lysara used her powers to lift flowers into Aurelia's hands, to pull branches aside for them, and even to bring down small, glowing fruit from high above.

The deeper they wandered, the wilder the forest became. Vibrant plants curled toward the sky, their luminescent leaves glowing faintly. Small, ethereal creatures watched from the shadows, their eyes glowing in curiosity and mild caution.

But as the sun dipped lower, Lysara finally halted. "We should turn back. The deeper we go, the more dangerous the creatures become."

Aurelia pouted. "Afraid?"

Lysara shook her head. "Realistic."

With a reluctant sigh, Aurelia agreed, and they made their way back to the carriage. But as they left the wilderness behind, one thought lingered in Lysara's mind—Aurelia had been staring at her far too often.

And for once, Lysara wasn't sure if she minded.