Snippet #2404589

Anaree gave Nachytsm a mischievous smile and nodded in a sage-like manner. She stepped off the stool and picked up the bucket. It was easy to fill it from the tap and carry it back over to Nachytsm. She stood back up on the stool. Anaree lifted the bucket above her head as she gained a few more inches by standing on her tiptoes.

Anaree dumped the bucket of freezing water on Nachytsm and dropped the pail again.

"There. Rinsed," she said to him. She softly laughed and let her feet fall flat. It left her at eye level again with Nachytsm.

"Can I tell you a secret, Nachytsm?" Anaree asked him. She didn't wait for his reply before she mustered up all her courage. Anaree took in a deep breath, took Nachytsm's face into her hands, and closed her eyes.

Anaree kissed him. It was nothing like when Dhaelhel had kissed him. It was soft, uncertain, and yet demanding for him to respond to her. But before he could accept or deny the kiss, Anaree pulled herself away from him.

"I-..." Anaree failed to say what she wanted. "I care for you Nachytsm. You are a good person. I know it is strange to hear it from a person that you barely know, but believe me when I say that I feel like I have known you for a very long time. I wasn't sure if I did care about you but now, being here, I know that I do." The words all came out in a rush and left Anaree breathless.

The barn suddenly became cold. Anaree hugged her arms across her breasts. Maybe dumping cold water on her was a bad idea. She had done it to clear her head but it hadn't worked beyond those few scant minutes. Just being near Nachytsm made the confusion come back ten fold. If only she could tell him her terrible secret.

'Nachystm, we've known each other for three hundred years. You've watched me grow up ever since I was born. You are my best friend and I wish that you would be my lover...'

Anaree sighed and felt vulnerability crawling into her heart.