Nero darted across the sand, his laughter loud and boyish, the sound carried away by the salty breeze. Khione chased after him with the relentless focus of a hunter, but her stern expression was undercut by the rare brightness in her eyes.
"Stop running, coward!" she shouted, her voice sharper than the waves crashing against the shore.
"Not a chance!" Nero called back over his shoulder, his grin mischievous. He veered toward the waterline, splashing into the shallow waves, sending arcs of seawater flying.
Khione skidded to a stop, glaring at the droplets that sprayed her dress. "You're dead."
She charged straight into the surf after him, scooping up water with both hands and hurling it at his back. The splash soaked him instantly, and Nero yelped in surprise. "Hey! That's cheating!"
"All's fair!" Khione shot back, already preparing another splash.
