Chapter 27

Terah walked along the path, there were many footprints, so she knew it was okay to walk here. She had put on the jacket and shoes at Konner’s request, even though the snow didn’t bother her at all, but he would know best with things like this, so she did it.

The path was leading her to a building she hadn’t been to, and she was curious why so many were going there. If the size of the footprints were right, it was mostly the children. When she reached it, she stopped and looked at it. It was made of stone, as most of the buildings here seemed to be, there were no windows, so it wasn’t a greenhouse. She smirked, the greenhouse turned out to be glass and not green at all, but who was she to question the name of it.

Opening the door, she put just her head in and listened. She could hear laughing and splashing. Driven by curiosity, she stepped in and closed the door quietly. Going up the short ramp, she stopped and looked to see a large pool. Lillee, Nakisa and Kole were swimming in it. Nolyn sat at the end of the pool, reading a book.

“Terah!” Nakisa shouted and started swimming toward her. “Have you come for a swim with us?”

Terah smiled at her, then glanced to see Nolyn smiling at her. “I will talk with Nolyn right now.”

“Okay.” Nakisa dove under the water and swam back to the middle of the pool.

Taking off her coat, and kicking off the shoes, she left them sitting with the others on a bench beside the ramp. The air was warm, but not dry. The floor was cool on her feet though, so she knew Konner had helped to make this place, he knew how stone worked and must have found a way to make the air warm here.

She went over and sat on the chair beside Nolyn. She closed her book and just held it in her hand.

“This was built for the kids, so they can swim all year round.”

“They do not swim in the lake?” She watched Kole dive under and smile as he did it with ease.

“In the warmer months, they do.” Nolyn smiled when Kole poked Lillee then swam fast the other way. “Until the change, their skin is more susceptible to the cold though.” She waved her hand at the pool. “So Konner and Reeves figured out a way to use freshwater but heat it so they don’t get a chill.”

“It is a very smart idea.” She smiled at Nolyn. “The children are lucky to be able to swim when they want.”

“Oh, it’s not really a want.” Nolyn set the book down behind her in the chair. “They can swim when they’re born. Even one-form babies are able to, but to build strength and knowledge of how to move in the water, they swim every day.”

Terah looked at them, the way they moved in the water. “I would yearn for water and swimming every day.”

“I can’t imagine being without water.”

She looked to see a soft expression on Nolyn’s face. “There is water everywhere here.” She smiled at her. “I can be in it any time I want.” She leaned closer. “I woke up last night and swam in Konner’s pool in his house. I would have preferred the lake, but I don’t know the rules and when I can.”

“There are no rules with the lake.” Nolyn’s brow creased. “You can swim anytime you want. It’s kind of who we are.”

Terah nodded, not wanting to disagree with her. “Konner said I should not swim with others until I am stronger and more adjusted.” She frowned, not sure if that was the word he had used. “Or settled, or... something like that.”

“Oh.” Nolyn watched the children for a moment. “You are pretty aggressive in the water.” She turned back to her. “With good reason. If I’d been denied water my whole life, I probably wouldn’t get out of it or want to share it either.” She got up and pulled her shirt over her head.

Terah noted that she wore one of those suit tops.

“Come on.” She motioned to the pool. “This is a safe indoor swim, no fish or plants to bring it on.” She pulled her pants off and those sock things Terah still couldn’t bring herself to wear. “And I know you wouldn’t feel aggression toward the children in or out of the lake.”

“I would never hurt the children.” Her chest felt tight at the very thought.

“I know, come on, it’s warm, but still feels great.”

Terah stood up and then looked down at what she was wearing. “I do not have a suit on.”

Nolyn shrugged, and then pointed to the door on the other side. “There’s plenty in there, go grab one and hop in.”

Terah smiled, excitement filling her. She wanted to swim with the children, as her mother had her. “Yes.” she went toward the door with fast steps.

“My turn. My turn again!” Kole yelled when Terah broke the surface of the water. He swam toward her quickly.

Lillee laughed and pushed away from Terah, “I can’t believe how high you get.” She pushed the hair back from her face.

Terah smiled; her heart felt like it was going to burst with joy from playing with them in the water. “I am used to small pools, so it is easy.”

Nolyn rested against the edge of the pool, grinning at her. “I can’t even do it, which is crazy, I’ve been swimming my whole life.” She tilted her head to the side. “I can’t wait to see how fast you can go in the lake.” She glanced at Nakisa, “Bet she’s faster than your dad.”

“Or Konner.” Lillee nodded. “He the fastest one.”

Kole tread water beside her without issue, but she didn’t want to leave him there too long, he was quite small still. She moved over so he could get on her back and placed his arms where she had instructed him to the last time. “Konner swims much looking for others like us.”

Nolyn nodded. “Auburn used to look too, but not since.” She glanced at Nakisa. “Konner found Olanna, now he won’t risk leaving his family.”

“That is wise.” Terah agreed. “Did he find you?”

Nolyn shook her head, “No, well, not that way.” She looked at her webbed fingers beneath the surface. “When I got separated from my clan...” She glanced at the children quickly. “Or whatever, you know? I knew there was another clan close to us, so I made my way to them.”

“How old were you?” Lillee asked her, a sad expression on her face.

“Not much older than you, Lil.”

“You are very brave.” Terah felt the need to put her at ease.

“So yeah, other than me, Konner has found Malachi, Olanna, Reeves, and now you.” Nolyn smiled at her.

“He is going to find more. They know where to look now.” Terah smiled, hoping that settled the darker mood.

“Is that what he said?” Nolyn pushed from the edge of the pool and glided toward her.

“Yes. He was talking to Calum, and they have locations.” She nodded. “That is what they said.”

Nolyn’s smile was slow, her eyes looked glossier. “That’s great.” She sucked in a breath and then turned to Lillee and splashed water in her face. “Back up to the edges so Kole gets his chance to fly.”

Terah grinned and patted Kole’s hand. “Hang on tight.”

“I’m ready.” His grip tightened.

Terah started for the far end, not moving too fast. “Use your legs, I’m going under.” She made sure to use a playful tone as she turned and faced the other end. Diving down, she felt the bottom brush along her front with a whisper of a touch. It wasn’t as easy as she had told them it was, but if she were to get strong enough to swim with the others, it was worth the effort. As the far end grew closer, she pushed off from the bottom and parted the water, using all the strength her legs had to launch her body into the air above the pool.

Twisting, she spun herself around, once, twice, and then they plunged back down into the water. As Kole let go, she turned to make sure he wasn’t disoriented and made it to the top.

He spit out water and laughed as he treaded above the surface. “I want to do that in the lake when the snow is done.” He grinned at her.

Terah turned to see Nolyn wasn’t watching them but was looking behind her. Letting her body turn, she saw that Konner was standing at the side of the pool.

“Konner.” Kole shouted and swam toward him. “Did you see that? Did you see how high Terah can go?”

Konner squatted down beside the pool he held out his hand to the child. He lifted him right out of the water. “I did. You were flying.”

Kole gripped his neck and nodded, “it was so much fun.” He looked at him, eyes wide. “Can you do that?”

Konner made a face like he was thinking hard, “I don’t know, but I will have to try it sometime.” He set him down. “Go get dressed, we’re having lunch in the common house.” He glanced at Nolyn, “A meeting afterward.”

Nolyn nodded and swam to the end of the pool.

Lillee got out and wrapped a towel around herself. “She can even do it with me, and I’m a lot heavier.” She walked by him. “So I know you can do it.”

Konner grinned at her. “I guess we’ll find out once you can go in the lake again.”

“Yes.” She giggled and ran over to the door.

Nakisa didn’t speak to him, but she was giving him a big smile as she followed Lillee.

Nolyn picked up her clothes and book and went over to him, she glanced from him to Terah. “It was my idea. Safe indoor location.”

Konner nodded his head but was still looking at Terah.

Terah trod the water and watched the door close. Not sure why the mood was suddenly heavier. “It was fun to swim with children.” She moved over toward him. “I would never hurt them.”

Konner squatted down and looked at her as she got nearer. “I didn’t think you would.” He motioned to the water. “As fun as it was, I can see you’re exhausted now and that’s what I want to avoid.”

“I am okay.” She smiled up at him.

He blew out a breath, those lines appearing above his eyes. “I guess we checked one male off the list.”

“The list?” Terah put her hand on the edge of the pool, so she could look up at him.

“Of possible mates.” His tone was very low.

Terah looked at the door everyone had gone in. “Kole? He’s a little boy.” She frowned. “I would know before his change?”

“You would know.” His eyes had darkened, and it bothered her to know that something she had done put that look on his face.

“I did not know. I am sorry.”

His eyes moved around like he was memorizing her face. “I know. Nothing would have happened, at his age, but it was still risky, Terah.”

Terah rested her forehead against the cool stone and looked at the water moving against it. “I am sorry, Konner.” She lifted her chin and looked up at him. “I wanted to swim and play with the children.”

He didn’t speak, but after a few breaths time, he nodded and held his hand out to her. When he stood up, he pulled her from the water without trouble. Still holding her hand, he looked at how she was dressed.

Terah looked down at the suit with the flowers on it. “Less suit was more comfortable.”

Konner licked his lips and released her hand, “I’m sure it would be.” He cleared his throat and motioned to the door. “I’ll wait here while you get changed.” He put his hands in his pockets, a somber expression on his face. “You may not be steady on your feet after the energy you just burned.”

Terah looked down to see her feet had changed back. “My feet feel fine.”

His mouth twitched,.“I’ll still wait and walk back with you.”

“Okay. I will go put my clothes back on.”

He nodded and then turned to look at the pool.