ELEMENTS: Acquiesce by Kathryn Andrews (snow like ashes series .TXT) 📕

Cordelia hadn’t known Breck long but she’d recognise his soft, Irish accent anywhere.

“It’s beautiful,” she replied.

“Are you sure?”

“It’s lovely. Come on in.”

“Ah, I’m not sure. I don’t have any bathers.”

“You’ve underwear don’t you?” enquired Cordelia mischievously.

“I told you, I’m not much of a swimmer. Are you sure it’s not cold?”

“It’s gorgeous. I could stay in here all day.”

“I hope you’re telling the truth now,” said Breck, stripping down to his underwear.

Cordelia grinned widely as she clung to a ledge. “You’re to jump straight in now. No messing around.”

Accepting Cordelia’s challenge, Breck jumped straight in, completely submerged beneath the ice-cold water. The biting water stabbed him a thousand times, taking his breath away and turning his body numb. He reappeared within seconds, eyes wide, mouth open, gasping for air.

“Are you crazy?! You’ll give a man a heart attack playing tricks like that.” He scrambled around trying to find a ledge and hauled himself out of the water.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d find it so cold. You can use my towel if you like.”

Breck dried himself off and got dressed. “I’ve something else we can do if you’re up for an adventure,” he said, tying his bootlaces.

Cordelia’s heart sang at the prospect of going anywhere with Breck. She nodded, smiling, “Okay.”

“Get dressed. I’ll get the horse ready.”

Cordelia swam to the edge of the pool, eyes fixed on Breck as he walked away. Holding onto the ledge with one hand, she lowered herself below the surface to stop herself from squealing. Once she regained her composure, Cordelia climbed out of the water and changed her clothes. With her swimming costume wrapped in a towel and her hair still dripping wet, Cordelia hopped over the rocks to Breck who looked incredibly handsome standing on the dusty track, whispering to his horse. The breeze blew Breck’s shirt against his body, accentuating his toned torso.

“Are you two talking about me?” she asked coyly.

Breck smiled. “I’m just letting her know she’s still loved. She gets jealous you know.”

“What’s her name?” asked Cordelia, moving closer.

“Misty. You know, like sea mist.”

“That’s a pretty name,” said Cordelia, reaching out a hand to touch Misty’s soft nose. “You’re beautiful aren’t you.”

“She likes to dance in and out of the waves as they break on the shore.”

“You take her onto the beach?” asked Cordelia, looking Breck in the eye.

“Sure. You wanna try it?”

Cordelia nodded, her smile almost reaching her ears. Breck began to unhitch Misty from the cart.

“What are you doing?” asked Cordelia.

“You wanna ride across the beach, right?”

Cordelia nodded.

“So we’ll leave the cart here.”

“You mean we’re riding bareback?”

“You wanted an adventure didn’t you?”

Cordelia nodded. “Yes. That sounds fun,” she uttered quickly, aware that she had nodded for the umpteenth time. She looked at Breck, smiling, hoping that he didn’t think she was as dumb as she felt.

Breck climbed onto the horse. “Give me your hand.”

Cordelia took Breck’s hand and a tingling sensation ran all the way through her. Breck pulled Cordelia onto Misty’s back. She leaned into him, inhaling the scent of his shirt and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Cordelia smiled and squeezed Breck tightly as Misty cantered towards the town.

They passed a few of the newer, grander houses before reaching the slipway. Breck pulled Misty to a stop and then she slowly walked down the slope towards the sand. Cordelia clung to Breck even tighter, nervous that Misty’s hooves might slip on the stone. A few early morning risers walking along the promenade stopped and stared as Misty galloped across the beach towards the water, sending a flock of seagulls ascending into the air. Cordelia felt invigorated. Alive. She shrieked with laughter as Misty galloped through the shoreline, splashing up water in all directions. Cordelia’s heart pounded beneath her chest. She never wanted the moment to end. As they approached the eastern side of the bay, Breck pulled on Misty’s reins and she came to a halt.

“How was it?” asked Breck, grinning.

“Amazing! We have to do that again.”

“Anytime, but there’s something I want to show you first.”

They made their way off the beach and onto the track at the East End of town. Misty trotted up the slight gradient, past a cottage on the cliff edge where a bony woman was tending to her garden.

“Mornin’!” called Breck.

The woman simply stared, her eyes heavy, her expression woeful. Cordelia’s smile faded and a look of pity took its place. They rode on. Cordelia wondered how it was that Breck was in such great shape when the rest of the town was starving but she thought it rude to ask. Raising the subject might also invite unwanted questions about her own food supply, a food supply that nourished a whole kingdom, a kingdom that wasn’t hers to reveal. Cordelia gazed across the bay to the Duggerna Reef and watched the waves roll in across the pools. A feeling of contentment washed over her.

“Are you alright?” asked Breck.

“Perfect.”

They came to a small footbridge with water meandering beneath it at the base of George’s Head.

“We’ll walk from here,” said Breck.

The pair jumped down and Breck tied Misty to an iron bar next to the bridge.

“Where are we going?” asked Cordelia.

“You’ll see.” Breck held out his hand.

“What do I need to hold your hand for? Scared I might fall off the edge?”

“It’s cold up here. Thought I’d keep you warm.”

“I have pockets thank you.” Cordelia shoved her hands in her pockets.

Breck smiled. “Suit yourself.”

‘Ugh! What did I do that for?’ thought Cordelia. ‘He’ll think I don’t like him.’

“Have you ever been up here?” asked Breck.

“No,” said Cordelia, shaking her head.

“Just be careful near the edge, the grass is slippery.”

Breck led Cordelia across the brow of George’s Head until they reached the other side. The sheer cliff face curved around to form a perfectly sheltered bay in the rugged coastline. Astonished, Cordelia leaned forward to get a better view. Breck reached out both hands and held her tight.

“Go steady now,” he said. “You