The loud crashing of the water fills her ear drums. She rushes towards the running stream.

Breaking through the trees, a big waterfall comes into view. It’s breathtaking.

Cove has not been outside the Allaver, so this natural sight amazes her. Paintings can’t do a beauty like this justice. White water cresting over the cliff. Green, lucious grass and trees glistening with the droplets.

She can feel the mist spray on his skin.

“Come on Thorne!” No one is around. The freeing feeling is let out, leaving the cage of the Royal crown. She could feel guilty later for feeling free in this situation.

“No one to say no.” She splashes into the river. Thorne smiles and takes off his boots before joining her.

She whips her hand up, making small droplets hit him in the face. “Oh, you are in for it now.” He creates a small wave drenching her middle, her mouth dropping open at the cold shock of the water.

She kicks her feet, getting him in the face. He laughs and she realizes how long it’s been since she felt like this. Laughing from pure joy. It’s been a while since she had seen him so carefree. Letting his guard down.

Thorne grabs her by the waist and brought her down, submerging both of them in the current. Even with the water going up her nose and stinging her lungs, she surfaces with a giant grin.

“Thorne!” No annoyance in her voice though. Just humor and happiness.

In this moment, she isn’t a princess in danger and he’s not her personal guard. They are just Cove and Thorne.

They can be anything out here. No one would know. She could be a baker, a seamstress, anything her heart’s desire. An ordinary girl. He could be a cobbler or a teacher or literally anything else.

Even crazier, they could be together.

———

(It’s been a while since I’ve added stories directly linked to my More Than Blood series I posted a while ago. I got a burst of inspiration, so here is a snippet of Cove and Thorne.)