CHAPTER TWO: HEAT WAVE
Sierra tripped on the bottom step and stumbled. She fell into Sashe, who spun around, her eyes wide. “Watch out!” she said.
Sierra giggled and covered her mouth.
“Shhhh!” Dar hissed at them.
They froze, glancing around to be sure no one had heard them. Dar motioned for them to keep walking, and they crept towards the back door. They were only going out for a night swim, but Alastor had been strict since Seth and Sashe had announced their engagement. Sierra couldn’t believe he and Natalia were trying to get her to court Lionel. He was such a stiff. He didn’t even like her, really; he was just trying to get on his father’s good side. Yet still two weeks after that dinner, Natalia and Alastor weren’t giving up.
Along with Sierra’s other engagements, it wasn’t very proper for young ladies to go swimming at night with young men. Sierra knew what Sashe and Seth would be doing all night, but she just wanted to be cool again. She’d been hot for an entire week. Even outside, it was still warm and humid even though the night sky was black and Sierra could hardly see her hand in front of her face.
They left the governor’s lands safely and jogged to the river. It was so dark Sierra kept tripping on things. By the time they reached the riverbank, her toes were aching. She collapsed on the bank as Sashe ran to Seth and threw her arms around him. Seth spun her around, and Sashe laughed.
They used to come to this swimming hole all the time when they were younger. It was a calm area in the rushing river. Parts of it were quite deep, too.
Someone grabbed Sierra’s shoulders, making her jump. She spun around to see Evan laughing. She swatted at him, but he dodged her hand. “Don’t scare me like that!” she said.
“Did you think I was Alastor?” Evan asked. “Coming to get you in trouble and drag you back to bed?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Oh, shut up.”
He had his shirt off, and she had to force herself to turn back around not to stare at him. He was extremely fit. He wasn’t a scrawny little boy anymore, that was for sure. She stood up. “Sashe, do you. . .” she trailed off, glancing around. “Did they leave already?”
“They went that way,” Dar said, pointing over his shoulder in the direction of a cluster of bushes and trees.
“What a great sister. Oh, well, I’m going to change out of my dress.” She went in the opposite direction Dar had motioned in. She stepped around a tree, wondering if Matilda was going to come. She wasn’t sure if she wanted her to or not. The last time they had spent time together, they’d had fun, but then Lionel had said Matilda was saying those things about her. She shook her head. She had no tolerance for silly girls.
She stripped down to her undergarments. She’d borrowed some of Dar’s braies, a type of trouser that ended just above her knees, and she wore a loose-fitting shirt with a breast band underneath it. She wished Sashe hadn’t left her; she didn’t want to be the only girl. Yes, Dar and Evan were like brothers, but they hadn’t been swimming like this for years, since before Sierra’s breasts had grown. Before Evan had gotten so many muscles. She shook her head. It was dark, and they’d be in the water. No one would be able to see anything.
When Sierra walked back to the river, Evan was already in, splashing around. Dar stood up to his calves, shivering.
“Come on!” Evan called. “It’s not that cold!”
“What are you talking about? It’s freezing!” Dar said. He was without a shirt, too, standing in his pants.
Sierra climbed up the rock next to the riverbank. Evan grinned at her, his teeth gleaming in the darkness. “Are you going to jump?” he asked.
“I’m thinking about it,” she said, looking down at the water.
“Do it!” Evan said. “It feels great after all this heat.”
She stood up and looked down at herself again. She didn’t know if Evan had ever seen her knees. She took a deep breath and jumped off the rock. The air thundered in her ears as she fell. She hit the water, and her body tensed at the coldness. She sunk down and pushed off from the rocky bottom with her feet. When she surfaced, she gasped and hugged herself. “It is freezing!”
Evan laughed, the sound echoing in the night air.
“I told you!” Dar said. “You two are insane.”
Sierra wiped hair from her face, shivering. “Oh, my goodness!” She swam to Evan and moved her limbs frantically to dispel some of the coldness.
“It probably feels colder because it’s been so hot,” Evan said.
She nodded, her teeth chattering.
He laughed again. “It’s not that bad!”
“It is!”
“You’ll get used to it.”
It took her a while, but her body did start to get used to the frigid water. They tried to coax Dar into the water. Evan finally gave up and wrestled him in. He held Dar down under water, laughing, and he suddenly lost his balance and fell into the water face first. Sierra laughed, and he emerged to the surface, sputtering.
“Are you laughing at me?” he asked as he pushed away his dripping wet hair. “You better watch out, Sierra.”
She grinned. “Or what?”
“You might be next.”
She tried to imagine Evan tackling her as he had Dar, and her face warmed in spite of the cold water.
Dar came into view a few feet away, shivering as Sierra had been when she jumped in. “Oh, gosh, changing into water animals isn’t easy.” He put his hands on his forehead as though he had a headache.
“Is that what happened?” Sierra smirked. “Is that why you fell in, Evan?”
He glared at her. “That’s exactly what happened.”
Dar stepped out of the water and sat on the bank. Evan groaned. “Get back in the water, Dar!” he called.
“I’ve got a headache now,” Dar said, waving one of his hands towards Evan.
Evan swam near Sierra. “He’s a baby. Last week, I changed into a rosebush. That’s way harder than a fish.”
“Are you bragging?” Sierra raised her eyebrows, running her fingers over the surface of the water. “I thought Evan Avialie never bragged.”
He scoffed. “Where would you get an idea like that?”
“You said it at that dinner when you and Alastor were fighting.” Sierra laughed. “You said Lionel was full of himself and a proper man didn’t brag like he did.”
Evan paused, grinning. “I never said I was a proper man.”
Sierra shook her head. “Hm, I guess you didn’t. I should have guessed you didn’t fall into that category.”
Evan splashed her, and she gasped as the cold water hit her face. She splashed him back, making him cry out. They swam around, splashing one another. She showered water on him, and he went under the surface. She looked around, trying to predict where he was going, and suddenly he touched her legs. She jumped, and Evan pulled on her legs, making her lose her balance. She went under and came up sputtering.
“Evan!” She wiped water out of her eyes. She glared at Evan, who sat laughing near the bank in shallow water.
“Okay, I think I’m back to normal,” Dar said as he stood.
“Is Matilda coming tonight?” Sierra asked, trying to sound casual.
“I don’t know.” Dar glanced over his shoulder in the general direction of Matilda’s house. “I invited her, but she didn’t know if she’d come.” He walked along the bank, swinging his arms at his sides.
Sierra came to shallower water, sitting a good distance from Evan. Small rocks poked her rear end. “Are you two. . .courting?”
“I don’t know,” Dar repeated. “It’s hard to tell with her.”
“Yeah, I know. I can never tell if we’re friends or not.”
Dar turned and looked at her, about ten feet away. Next to him, the water was quickening in its pace, the current strong as it deepened and rushed over large rocks. “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t you be friends?”
She shrugged. “Like you said, it’s hard to tell with her.”
; Dar didn’t respond. He turned and walked along the bank away from them. Sierra wondered what he was thinking. Did Matilda speak to Dar about Sierra like she did to Lionel? She wasn’t sure if Dar would stick up for her to Matilda. He liked her a lot.
Dar suddenly cried out. Sierra’s head snapped up, and she saw Dar’s dark form disappear into the water, where the current was the strongest. She gasped. “Dar!”
Evan rushed by Sierra and climbed up onto the bank. He ran to where Dar had fallen in, calling his name. Sierra swam closer but stayed in shallow water. The river pushed past her legs as she got closer to where Dar had fallen in. She knew Dar could change if he needed to.
Evan bent his knees, poised to jump in, when they heard Dar’s voice.
“I’m down here!” he called.
Evan took off, and Sierra got out of the river to follow him. Nearly twenty feet down the bank, Dar was lying on his back on the bank, panting and dripping wet. “It’s easier the second time around.”
“What is?” Evan asked, his eyes wide.
“Changing into a fish,” Dar said, putting his arms over his face.
“Oh.” Evan laughed breathlessly. “Right.” He ran a hand through his hair, sprinkling water on Sierra. She studied him for a moment. He’d actually forgotten about their shape changing abilities. He’d just been concerned about his friend. She felt a surge of affection for him. He may have been full of himself, but he was one of the best friends someone could ask for. Why couldn’t Alastor see what Evan did about Lionel?
He caught her gaze on him. “What?”
“Nothing,” Sierra said, glancing away. “Are you all right, Dar?”
“Fine.” Dar waved his hand again.
Sierra looked back at Evan to find his eyes on her chest. He cleared his throat and plopped on the ground next to Dar. She looked down at herself to find her shirt sticking to her chest. Even with the breast band and in the darkness, the forms of her breasts were very clear. She crossed her arms, her face heating up again. “Where on earth are Seth and Sashe?” she asked.
“Hey!”
Sierra spun around. Matilda was walking towards them, wearing clothes similar to Sierra: a loose-fitting shirt and undergarments. Her frizzy red hair was pulled back, and her pale skin stood out in the dark night more than any of theirs. “What are you doing out of the water?” she asked. “Why are you so far from the swimming hole?”
“Dar got caught in the current,” Sierra said. “Let’s go back to the hole, guys.” She didn’t want to be out of the water, her entire body exposed to Evan, who was looking at her legs now.
Evan nodded, standing. He held his hand out for Dar, and when he stood, Evan clapped him on the back. Sierra held back a smile as they walked back to the swimming hole.
They swam for another hour before the wind picked up. Matilda and Dar flirted the entire time, splashing each other, teasing one another. She wasn’t warm towards Sierra, but she wasn’t cold, either.
Sierra’s fingers and toes grew numb, and she sat on the bank, trying to dry off. She tried to tell the others she was going to change, but they were splashing one another. Shrugging, she picked up her dress and walked to the tree she’d changed behind earlier. She stripped off the dripping wet shirt off first. Goosebumps sprung up all over her flesh as the cool night air hit her, and she flung the shirt over a branch.
She heard footsteps on the other side of the tree along with a voice. Evan stepped into sight, and she covered her chest. She only wore her breast band, a thin piece of fabric wrapped around her by her maidservant. He froze in his steps, staring at her, his mouth falling open.
She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. The moonlight lit up his bare chest, and she suddenly wondered what it’d be like to push her body up against his. Heat flooded her lower belly, and she swallowed hard.
“I’m sorry,” Evan said, his voice strangled. He turned away, disappearing as he walked around the tree.
She let out a shaky breath, closing her eyes. She leaned against the tree, the coarse bark digging into her bare back, pushing her wet, cold hair up against her skin. What was going on with her tonight?
She quickly got dressed in her dry dress and pulled her hair back in a ribbon. When she went back to the river, Sashe and Seth had returned. She glared at Sashe. “Oh, look who it is,” she said. “My long lost sister.”
“Did you guys have fun?” Sashe asked.
“Did you?” Sierra asked, raising her eyebrows. Sashe pushed her in the shoulder, glancing at Seth. He was speaking with Dar about changing into a fish.
Sashe pulled Sierra closer and whispered in her ear, “I have so much to tell you.”
Sierra almost responded with the same sentiment. She glanced over at Evan to find he was looking at her again. They both glanced away. No, she should probably keep this to herself. What would Sashe think, if she knew the thoughts Sierra was having about their cousin? He wasn’t their cousin, though, not really. . .
Back at the manor, before they went on to their individual rooms, Sashe swore she’d tell Sierra everything the next morning. Sierra wasn’t sure she wanted to hear everything. She towel-dried her hair as much as she could and lay down in her warm bed. She snuggled under the covers, sighing with content.
She thought of Evan catching her undress. She wondered what it’d be like to show himself all of her, even though he had already seen so much of her: her bare shoulders, her stomach, her arms as they tried to cover her chest. She could still see Evan’s bare chest, the muscles in his back, and she could imagine herself running her hands over him, and his hands on her. A shiver ran up her back, and she squeezed her eyes shut before flinging the covers over her face and forcing herself to go to sleep.
CHAPTER THREE: NEW LIVES
Thad was such a good kisser. She didn't have a lot of experience, no, but she was thoroughly enjoying herself. She ran her fingers through his hair, tugging on the ends of it. He ran his hands over her corset, almost to her breasts.
"Hey!”
Sierra pushed Thad away and sat up quickly. Evan stood at the entrance of the barn, staring at them with an openly angry expression. Her eyes widened, and her face heated up. What was he doing here? “Can you not see we’re busy?” she called down.
“Who is that?” Evan asked, his gaze on Thad.
“Are you two courting?” Thad asked.
“What? No!” Sierra exclaimed. “He’s my—he’s Dar's cousin! And he's leaving.” She glared at Evan pointedly.
“Who are you?” Evan asked Thad, crossing his arms.
“Oh, my god,” Sierra said, her face on fire. “Just a minute, Thad. Let me take care of this.” She went down the ladder as quickly as she could and grabbed Evan’s arm. She dragged him outside and demanded, “What are you doing?”
“What are you doing?” Evan asked, his voice low.
“Um, I thought that was obvious. And you interrupted us.” She tried to leave, but he took her arm. She huffed. “Evan, don’t embarrass me.”
“Really? I’m an embarrassment?” Evan scoffed. “And Thad is someone you’re proud of?”
She tore her arm from his grip. “Just leave us alone.”
“He won’t remember you in a week. Not after you spread your legs for him.”
Sierra gasped, stepping back. How dare he say something like that.
Evan cringed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
She turned to go back into the barn. Unfortunately, he followed her. “Did you have to bring him here, of all places?” Evan asked.
“Fine, we’ll leave,” Sierra snapped. “Thad, let’s go.”
Sighing, Thad came down the ladder. He ran a hand through his dark blond hair. “I need to go home.”
“Oh. I thought you had an hour or so,” Sierra said, keeping her voice light. She didn’t want to seem like she cared very much, but she’d been having fun with him.
“Yeah, I thought so, too.” Thad glared at Evan, who crossed his arms and glared back at hi
m. “I'll see you later, Sierra.”
“Well, Thad, wait—” Sierra began.
“No, I gotta go. It was fun.” Then he was gone.
Sierra clenched her fists and slowly looked at Evan. “I hope you’re happy.”
“Well, I told you he wasn't going to stick around for long,” Evan said, staring at the barn entrance.
“I thought I had to spread my legs first.” She still couldn’t believe he’d said that, like she’d just sleep with any fellow she kissed.
Evan looked at her. “Sierra, I didn’t mean that. . .but that is what he’s looking for.”
Sierra rolled her eyes and left the barn, gritting her teeth.
Evan followed her yet again. “I just don’t trust him. He’s always with a different girl. What happened to Lionel?”
“Lionel?” She laughed mirthlessly. “You’re the one who said he’s an arrogant prick.”
“He’s better than Thad,” he mumbled.
She ignored him as she stalked towards the manor. How could he not see how much she wanted him to leave?
“Oh, now you’re not talking to me,” Evan grumbled. “Great.”
“You’re such a child.” She pulled hay from her hair. “I’m not your little sister to boss around.”
“You think that’s what this is about? Bossing you around?”
She spun around to face him. He nearly walked into her and he took a step back, his eyes widening.
“What is about, then?” she snapped.
He stared at her for a moment. “Thad is scum, and you deserve better. I mean, if I’m saying Lionel would be better than him, then he’s pretty bad.”
She pursed her lips, studying him. She hadn’t expected a response like that. “I can make those kinds of decisions myself,” she said after a moment.
“What if he got you pregnant?”
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