When my head finally breaches the surface of the water, I gasp for air and let it fill my lungs. The docks are nothing but distant specks in the distance, but I know that Ladon is there… waiting for me.
So I flap my tail as hard as I can, flying through the water with all of my might with one goal in my mind.
Suddenly I feel so foolish for keeping him at bay, pushing him away when I should have just accepted the adoration.
By the time I reach the shore, every muscle in my body is throbbing. I pull myself up onto the beach, heaving for air with every last ounce of strength I have left. I collapse onto the sand with one last final gasp, laying back and surrendering to the punishing rays of the sun.
It must be midday by now, and Ladon is probably worried out of his mind.
I hold up the
