Cvetka didn't understand.

The lake was the one place within Fate's Respite that she continued to avoid. It was where she first collided with the ice. Broke the bone in her forearm. Where her memories shattered into unsalvageable fragments.

Lest she found the pieces of the puzzle that she could never complete again, she was horrified of that place. That serene body of water—even if Amaris loved it. She couldn't stand the thought of approaching.

So, why now was she nearing its shore? Was it her desire yet again to remain by Amaris's side? It hadn't swayed her feelings on the matter before, however—why should that be different now?

Ears pinned against her nape, she stalked forward with slow, diligent strides. She watched as Amaris guzzled the water (??? Was he that thirsty??) and eventually slowed to a halt, a few steps away from the water's edge. The lake... it wasn't nearly as pretty as described. It felt inky. Black. As if there was no bottom, and it was merely a bottomless pit filled with water. Cerulean eyes narrowed. She inched closer, and closer—

Her toes dipped into the liquid, and in an instant, she scrambled away with a quiet yelp. Only the water, the Machiavellian being it was, simply pulled her back. Like a string was attached to her head, manipulated by a puppetmaster. Just as Amaris had, she dipped her head and lapped up the water.

It stung. It burned. It made her stomach churn and coil in her stomach. She wanted to pull back, but the grip it had on her was tight. She remained with her snout tipped into the water, tongue flickering through its surface and sending small ripples in its wake.

'Achlys! WAIT!' And finally, the tether was sliced. She was released, and her head flung back as though there was truly a momentum from tugging on a leash. Water and saliva dribbled from her mouth. Eyes were held half-shut. What was Amaris saying? Dazed, she canted her head, letting it hang limply against her shoulder.