"I'll be careful, sweet." She smiled and headed back, pushing herself out of the cave and into the water. There, she let it wash over and sink into her skin. The cave's air had been moist, but even that had started to dry out her skin. Once she felt properly rehydrated, she shut her eyes and went very still. Tapping into the magic at her core, she imagined an image of her dear cousin Leonce's face. Blue eyes, tanned skin, frost white hair and a ready smile. She spoke his name in her mind three times, feeling the power rush through her. She held it in tight, then released it in a silent breath.

Miles away, Leonce picked his head up from his work, and turned his head toward the surface. "...Kassy..." He started to gather his traveling clothes.

Kassy headed back into the cave, surfacing and peeking around to find the boy fast asleep in the corner. "...poor little guppy." She started to tug herself around the cave, gathering the torn pages of the books.