Meeting by the Lake

Grass is the first thing I feel, the morning dew wetting my bare feet, the moisture sticking broken clovers and grass blades to my skin. It does not feel like my eyes are truly open, everything is fuzzy and undefined, besides the grass. I close them anyway, willing my mind to focus, lighting each sense one by one like candles. Touch, taste, sound, smell. Tall weeds catching on my nightdress, the ghost of last night’s warm, metallic dinner on my tongue, early spring wind rippling through the trees, someone’s anxious heartbeat in the distance, getting closer. Probably some hunter or hiker. I take a moment to brace myself, and move on to the last sense, sight.

My eyes focus, drinking in the scene before me, a clearing in the woods finally recovering from the harsh winter. Lush green trees, tall and imposing, surround this grassy space, all framing a beautiful lake in the center. The water is so clear it reflects the sky above like a mirror, the surface completely and unnaturally smooth. There’s something enchanting about it, and I find myself moving closer. Before I know it I’m at the edge of the water sitting down, peering in so close my breath would cause ripples in the water if I had any. But the water remains still, like death. Such a gorgeous and hypnotic sight. Would it be nicer in there? I wonder, watching the reflection of the clouds moving in the wind. If I sunk in, would the water accept me? Would it grant me the same sweet stillness?

“You’ll fall if you’re not careful.” I sit up straight quickly, turning to see the one intruding on my time alone. A young man with short, dark hair and even darker hooded eyes stands in front of me. He has this expression that gives him an air of confidence and ease. Like me, he is not dressed properly for the morning chill. Unlike me, his breath shows in the cold air, his skin is flushed at the nose, cheeks and elbows. He’s only in a nightshirt and plain slacks. The man holds my gaze, seemingly unphased that I am a woman half-dressed and unchaperoned. Any real gentleman his age would look away by now, spouting nonsense about honor and modesty. This man simply looks at me, and I find myself thinking he might be prettier than the lake. Prettier than anything. The thought freezes me. At my stunned silence, he takes a step closer. I blink. “The water is far deeper than it looks,” He says tentatively, taking another step. “You would be surprised how many children we’ve had to pull out of there.” That last light comment snaps me out of it. I pout, crossing my arms with indignation.

“I am no child,” I mean for the words to sound biting, but they come out embarrassingly petulant. The man chuckles, his laugh showing in small puffs of smoke. I fixate on them, I fixate on him.

“That I can see clearly.” He takes a look at me, eyes narrowing slightly as he drags his gaze from my head to my toes and back again, stopping for a second too long at my mouth. My mind turns to mush for a moment and I look at his lips, nearly red from the cold, flakes of dried blood in the partially healed cracks. I ate this morning, damn it. Looking away, I take a moment to breathe in deeply. I cannot afford to cause trouble so soon after moving. After a moment I look back to see his eyes glittering with shameless mischief. My face pinches in annoyance. He thinks I am embarrassed, he is wrong.

“There is no need to be inappropriate.” I stand, brushing damp leaves and grass from my clothes. He walks closer until he is barely a foot away from me, brushing his hair from his eyes.

“Says the woman outside in her nightdress,” He taunts. “And on my family’s land, no less.” I look at him like he is mad, which is rude, but we have clearly thrown propriety to the wind.

“We’re on my family’s land, actually.” I take a step closer to him, and relish in the sound of his breath catching, his eyes growing wider by just a margin. He only lets me enjoy it for a moment though, schooling his expression.

“You are mistaken.” His voice is shaking slightly.

“I am certainly not.” So is mine, I feel my skin getting warm, almost burning. We stand there for a few moments, challenging each other silently. His mouth parts, and my attention snaps back to the cracks in his lips. One taste wouldn’t be so awful…

“Amaranthine!” We move away from one another immediately, and I practically step into the lake in my haste. I pinch the bridge of my nose in embarrassment as I listen to my mother stomp through the trees and weeds. “Amaranthine you know you aren’t meant to be out at this hour, your papa and I were worried sick!” She reaches us, now covered in grass and a bit of mud. My mother is as pale as I am dark, her white hair straight as a pin compared to my thick black curls. She had the sense to come outside fully dressed, and upon noticing my state of undress, quickly stands in front of me.

“Mami I’m fine,” I whisper to my mother in Spanish. “I only wanted to see the new land.” She scoffs, narrowing her eyes at the young man, which wipes the amused expression off of his face.

“Without any clothes on?” She snaps back. I roll my eyes. “And you,” She points at the man. “What were you doing standing so close to my daughter, who are you?” The man straightens his spine and puts on a charming smile.

“I am Su-Jin, ma’am.” He gestures to a large house in the distance. “My father, the Archduke, owns that house across the way.” My mother gives a short bow in respect, clearly still annoyed.

“Well, Su-Jin, it seems our properties meet at this lake. I apologize for my daughter’s intrusion on your morning.” My intrusion? He intruded on me.

“You’ve purchased the old manor?”

“And its surrounding lands, yes,” I pipe up. “So I was not mistaken.” My mother glares at me.

“Amaranthine hush,” she chides. “Yes, my husband is the new financial advisor for the town.”

“How fortunate, I never thought anyone would buy that place. It seems we will be seeing much more of each other.” At the last word, he steals a glance at me, smiling. My face heats again. So shameless.

She grabs my hand and begins to pull me away. “We must be on our way, once again I apologize for my daughter.” I wait until my mother’s back is turned and stick out my tongue. He laughs in response, which makes me frown even deeper.

“She’s no trouble!” Su-Jin calls after us, grinning nice and wide. “I hope to see you soon, Amaranthine!”

Yeah right. If I see him in a thousand years it will be too soon.