Cassian's grin came slow, and there was something in it that lifted the fine hairs along Cixi's arms.
"I must ask your forgiveness," he said, "before I do something rather ungentlemanly."
Alarm rang through Cixi's head when a wide grin appeared on Cassian's face. She had seen it before. It preceded nothing good. It preceded chaos and confusion and decisions made entirely for his own amusement.
"What are you planning to do?" She was already shifting her weight, ready to scramble to her feet, ready to run.
She was far too slow. His hand found the small of her back, and with no more effort than a man brushing a leaf from his sleeve, Cassian pushed her into the pool.
Cixi pitched forward. Her arms flailed. Her mouth opened in a gasp that swallowed nothing but warm air, and then the water closed over her head.
She plunged into the pond.
