[IRIS POV]
"Not happening," Caius insisted through gritted teeth. His entire face was a ruddy red due to anger, something I was sure I mirrored.
"And whyever not?!" I demanded. Whatever was in this lake water, it gave me plenty of fuel and drive to voice out the bottled anger repressed in me for the last two decades. "You hate me, and now, I equally loathe you. We do not have a need to remain as fated mates."
I took yet another step back, but with the water already at my ribs, it was getting difficult to maintain my balance. One misstep and I was toppling backward. My arms flailed about in the air, but surprisingly, Caius's large hand grabbed onto my wrist and hoisted me back to my feet before I could plummet into the water.
His touch felt like the sear of silver, so hot that it was almost painful. Yet, the pain perhaps wasn't as physical as it was emotional, and I wanted to tear my hand away immediately, but his grip held firm.
"Let go!"
