Page 55 of Those That Defy the Realm

I’m about to tell Claire she doesn’t have to give into Ash’s demands, but my words die on my tongue because she’s already stripping. Pulling her dress over her head and unbuckling her shoes much quicker than I would’ve thought possible with the sheer number of straps on the things, it doesn’t take long before she’s standing before me in her underwear.

“Are you jumping?” she asks as she folds her dress and laying it neatly on a nearby rock.

“Fuck it, yes.” It’s probably not wise of me, but it looks fun, and doesn’t look like a difficult jump. Plus, it seems whenever I’m around these two, wise is not high on my priorities.

Stripping my shirt, I place it next to Claire’s clothing.

“I meant can you? With your leg?” she asks hesitantly, like she’s scared she’ll offend me.

We’ve had sex so many times now, having to consider my prosthetic, I dislike that she still isn’t comfortable asking me questions about it. My leg isn’t something I hide from either one of them. I’m aware my limitations aren’t as severe as some due to the high-end model I can afford, and because I still have my knee joint, but I do have limitations.

I like that she’s showing consideration for my well-being, however.

“Yeah, this should be fine. I’ll have to remove it but the jump doesn't look treacherous." I take a seat on another one of the rocks as I shove my linen trousers down my legs.

“Okay, good.” Claire nods.

“You can ask me anything, I won’t be offended. In fact, I want you to ask,” I reassure her and she takes a visible breath.

“You’ll be okay in the water?” I meet her eyes and can see the worry there. This is what she really wanted to know.

“Water can be tricky. Obviously, I’m not a powerful swimmer with only one leg, but I’ll be fine with this. I promise.” She relaxes even more with my explanation. “And I have you both to help me if I need it.”

“What’s taking so long?” a whining voice calls up from the pool below, causing us both to chuckle.

“Go on,” I tell her. “I’ll be there in a second.”

“Sure?” she asks.

“Go! Make sure he’s not getting into any trouble.”

She laughs at that before turning and taking the few steps to the ledge at a jog before jumping into the air and disappearing. She lets out a scream, which is cut off by a splash a couple of seconds later and a “woohoo” from Ash.

I keep listening to ensure she surfaces without any problems as I unstrap my leg and lay it carefully against the rock with my sleeve.

Hopping is something that comes pretty easily to me, after years of late-night bathroom breaks or forgetting to turn the light off after I’ve taken off my prosthetic. But I can’t deny the adrenaline spike as I move toward the lip of the small cliff. I have to concentrate to ensure I get as close to the edge as possible without going over. I have to give myself as much push off as possible to make sure I clear the rocks.

Claire and Ash are both treading water as I leap towards them. The rush of the fall is exhilarating and the hit of cold water as I enter the pool wakes up every cell in my body. Breaking the surface to a round of applause, I do my best to bow as well as one can when in water.

“I’m going again, are you both coming?” Ash asks, swimming for the edge.

“Absolutely,” Claire answers immediately. I’m not sure I’ve seen her smiling so hard. The adrenaline looks so good on her, I’ll have to remember that for the future.

“What about you?” Ash calls from the shore where he’s already climbed out and is reaching for Claire’s hand.

“I’m good.” I wave them off. “As much as it’s fun, it is a pain in the ass with one leg.”

Ash pauses, his own grin dropping. “Sorry, I didn’t think when I said I wanted to come here. I can help you back up if you want?”

“Nah, you two have fun. I don’t mind watching. Honestly, it feels good to be in the water. One jump is enough for me.” I keep my tone light as I answer. It’s the truth anyway. I did a fair bit of swimming through my rehab but don’t often get the chance to now. Stroking my arms backwards through the water, I relax my lower half as I pull myself across the water.

I float about in the deeper section as Ash and Claire jump again and again. They have dive competitions, which they make me judge. They jump separately and together. The whole time they’re both laughing and screaming with the pure joy of just having fun.

After what must be her tenth jump, Claire swims over to me as she resurfaces. “Hey,” she greets me, coming to a halt just out of arms reach.

“Hey, having fun?” I ask as I push forward to grab her. She giggles as I lift her through the water, wrapping her legs around my waist as her arms come around my neck. Sadly, I do have to quickly return my arms to paddling the water so we don’t both sink but it feels good to have her clinging to me.

“Yeah, this is awesome,” she replies.