After Onyx had put Tarentek down by the water, she flew back a ways and landed there, not making any move to go closer to the water. "I think you forget that I won't be able to fly for a while if my wings are wet, so you don't have to worry too much about the way back. That flight will be considerably shorter than the way here had been." 

She looked around at the horizon for a little bit, judging the time of day by the sun's height in the sky. "I want to stay as far from the water as possible, maybe even just fly away now and leave you here to swim on your own, but I made a promise. Even if it's a reckless promise, I'll keep it as I try to keep all my promises." As she spoke, she forced herself to walk closer to Tarentek, her heartbeat getting more rapid with every step. "The sooner we start, the sooner it's over, right?"