Chapter 281: Frozen Ring
Emily was walking at the edge of a lake, soft sand beneath her bare feet. From time to time she leaned over to inspect something, a smooth rock, pebble, a twig, an interesting bit of grass. Things that she normally would not have had time to study, had she been back in her regular life. But after all that she had been through, having her heart torn in two just when she thought things were finally going her way. Emily had earned that little bit of rest, and so she was enjoying it without a shred of guilt in her.
The day itself seemed to know that she needed a break because the sun was just the right side of warm and the wind was a cooling presence against her skin. Nothing was fighting her. Not the water, not the earth, not the wind. The elements themselves were giving her a much needed win. Who was she not to take it?
Looking out at the still waters, Emily could not help a gasp that escaped her when she took in the beauty of the lake. She could not swim. That much had not changed. But something about the serenity of the water just drew her to it.
The urge pulsed from her stomach urging her forward. Pushing her to take a step into the waters. I will just stay at the edge, Emily thought. With a deep breath, Emily took a step forward, shocked when instead of sinking, her foot remained on the surface.
She looked down and the water was no longer liquid. Instead, solid ice was spreading from her feet outward. There was something not adding up about that. But Emily was too delighted to care. Feet still bare, she rushed onto the newly formed ice. A big smile on her face as she ran, slipping and sliding, but never falling.
Emily made it to the middle of the lake like that, and once she got there. All that she could do was spin in a slow circle taking in the beauty of everything. A winter wonderland had sprung up from nowhere, and it was absolutely stunning.
"Beautiful isn’t it?" A voice said from beside her, and Emily startled.
"Derek don’t do that! You scared me," She told him, laughing as she ran into his arms. The two of them sharing a brief kiss before staring out at the beauty before them once again.
"We should come here more often,: Emily told him. Letting go of her hand, he moved around a bit, taking the place in more.