But no sooner had he whispered those words, Nala abruptly pulled back.
That sorrowful, trembling expression of hers, the one that had cracked even his calloused heart, was gone. In its place was a strict, commanding scowl that made even the air between them feel colder.
"You need to get out of the water, Cassius." Nala ordered.
Cassius blinked. "What—?"
"Back onto the boat, right now." She said, voice steely, no softness left in her tone. "I don't like you swimming in here. I don't care how much you insist it's fine. You're going up, on the boat. Sit there like a good boy...Now."
The shift in her caught him off guard. Cassius actually chuckled, brow cocking with disbelief, still floating with her in his arms.
"You don't need to worry so much, Nala." He said, wading slightly backward, playful grin growing. "I was totally lying when I said I didn't know how to swim. I'm good. Like, actually good. I can swim in a storming ocean if I have to. I'd come out grinning."
