25

Ruva fell through the air, towards the salty ocean water.

Her back hit the water first, the water slapped against her skin. Her head went under, she was back in that fearful, silent, underwater world. Her back hit the sand, and Ruva started to panic.

The water was all around her, trying to get into her mouth and nose, trying to swallow her whole. Ruva thrashed about, trying to push away the invading water.

Ruva pushed off the ground, her head rising above the water. She took a gasp of warm summer air, her feet finding purchase underwater. She continued panting, the water up to her elbows.

Droplets streamed down her face, Ruva didn't know if it was salt water or tears.

Leo was still hanging from above, swinging as quickly as he could to the sand. As soon as his feet met the ground he pulled off the backpacks, rushing into the water. Ruva was frozen, she couldn't do anything but look at the shadowy water surrounding her.

Leo reached her, and grabbed her pale hand. 'It's okay, Ruva. You're fine now.'

Tears still streamed down Ruva's face, dropping into the icy water.

It wasn't Leo's voice that brought her to awareness, it was the warmth of his hand on hers. She looked up, her eyes became captured in Leo's. His eyes looked warm too, and she could see the worry on his face.

Her breathing grew slower, and the shivers wracking her frame eased. 'You're okay, you're okay. Now come forward – no, don't look down, just keep your eyes on me.'

Ruva took a step forward, pushing through the water. Leo smiled at her, and she was momentarily stunned by his white teeth. Ruva never saw his teeth, because Leo never opened his mouth to speak. His teeth were so white compared to his tanned skin, perfectly straight and glistening.

Leo mistook her lack of movement as fear. 'Don't worry, I'm right here,' he said. Leo clasped Ruva's free hand, seeping warmth back into her body. 'I won't leave you, so keep moving forwards.'

Leo's words touched Ruva, tunnelling deeper than she would ever admit.

Keep moving forwards.

The words seemed to echo around them, and Ruva marvelled at the simplicity, yet beauty of the message.

Ruva breathed in, then out. With her hands in Leo's, she kept moving forwards.

The water was at her elbows, then her hips, then her knees, then her feet. Leo didn't leave her, not for one step.

Ruva's feet touched the dry sand, and she smiled, even as her breathing stuttered. Leo mirrored the gesture, even as he unclasped his hand.

'See? You're okay now.' He said, and a smile unwittingly stretched across Ruva's face. 'You're really strong, Ruva.'

Leo's shoulder twitched, like he was containing some impulse, and he turned away, moving towards the backpacks he had thrown moments earlier.

Ruva tried to speak, tried to say thank you, but she couldn't find the words. Instead she walked a little closer to Leo, her footsteps silent in the warm sand.

He picked up the backpacks, hanging it on the beams of the jetty. One of the rafters was covered in writing, different scrawls covering it. The largest piece of writing was in the centre, it read, 'Wendyl Waters'.

Leo noticed her gaze and said, 'Dad used to come here when he was a kid. He wrote Wendyl Waters on the beam, then his nickname underneath,' he said, touching a faded name beneath the title. 'His siblings came and wrote their nicknames too, and that's where the tradition started. We've all got our nicknames up here too, and all of our cousins.'

Ruva walked over to the beam, a history of the Wendyls. "Is your nickname up here?"

Leo nodded, pointing to a name on the edge of the jumble. The ink was darker than the others, and the name was clear enough to read easily.

Lion.

The name was Lion, but it didn't suit Leo at all. He wasn't some loud, fierce tempered boy, but a silent, calm, understanding person.

As if he had hear her thoughts, Leo said, 'When I was really little, everyone called me Leo the Lion. They said that one day I'd learn to roar, I just have to find the right time.'

Leo turned away, and walked to the water. 'Fourteen years and still no roar.'

Ruva went up to him, gently placing her hand on his arm. She tried to find something to say, some inspiring message to make him feel better, but she couldn't.

Leo pulled away. 'If it's okay with you… I just need some time alone.'

But before she could answer, Leo dived into the water.

Ruva's wet hair clung to her legs, but she didn't adjust it. All she could look at was the set of footprints in the sand, where Leo had been standing seconds before.

Tia placed a hand on Ruva's shoulder, making her jump. "Come sit over here," she said. "You're no use to anyone just standing there."

Ruva let Tia bring her back from the water's edge, and to a beach towel which they sat on.

"I can feel the cortisol running through you, what's wrong?"

Ruva pulled her knees to her chest, letting her dripping hair cover her face.

"Silent again, I should have guessed."

Ruva made no move, her silence telling more than words ever could.

"I don't know what happened between you two, but you need to know some stuff, Ruva." When Ruva didn't move Tia continued, "Leo seems so much brighter with you. Even when you aren't trying, he seems happier with you around."

Ruva lifted her head and looked into Tia's chocolate-brown eyes. "Just remember that, Ruva."

"Thank you," she said. It wasn't enough to attest to what Tia had told, yet it was all she needed to say.

Tia stood up and went into the water, leaving Ruva to drown in her thoughts.

…

Ruva stayed on the sand for the rest of the day, watching everyone play in the water. At one point they all came out for lunch, feasting on the fish and chips Greg bought. Ruva wasn't hungry, but she ate anyway, the salty chips hiding the bitter taste in her mouth.

Leo was next to her, but he didn't say anything. Ruva squeezed his hand, and he squeezed back.

It was enough.

…

Soon after, it was time for them to go home. The tide rushed in, covering all the sand in an inch of water. Ruva flinched as the wave hit her skin, she now understood why they had hung the bags up high.

"TIME TO GO!" called Tia, as she stood on the sand. The Wendyls now moved with purpose, until they were all up on the sandbar. Leo stood at the back of the group, the water up to his knees. Ruva couldn't stop looking at him, wondering what he could be thinking.

As if sensing her gaze, Leo looked up, giving the slightest smile to Ruva.

Something fluttered in Ruva's belly, and she found herself imagining Leo's hand in hers, and how his arms would feel around her. Ruva's cheeks reddened, and Leo gave a questioning look. But before he could ask her, Tia interrupted.

"Head count, everyone stay still." Everyone obliged, and Tia counted under her breath. Eventually she said, "Eight Wendyls, and one Ruva. Looks like we're good to go."

Ruva felt a rush of dread, realising that she'd have to swing across the water once more.

But before she could become too uneasy, Leo interrupted her. 'We're not going back the way we came.'

Ruva wondered how Leo could know what she was thinking, but he answered that question, too.

'You're nervous, I can see it in your eyes. Anyway, we're getting back by going through the stormwater pipes, then we'll see if we can find a cart.'

Watching Tia, Ruva knew that Leo was right. The older girl stepped into a large stormwater pipe, something she had failed to notice until now. Once inside, Tia only had to stoop slightly, and she beckoned everyone else forward. Everyone started to move forward, Matt and Lisa sitting in backpacks once more.

Ruva gulped, but followed behind, Leo ending up by her side. He reached for her hand, but hesitated, then pulled back. Ruva didn't know what to make of the gesture, so she continued forwards, the light behind them slowly disappearing.

They continued walking, only talking in quiet whispers. Light appeared regularly from drains, sending bars of light into the silent space. It was cooler down there, a relief from the sweltering summer heat. They heard muted sounds from above, a hum of voices, a snatch of laughter.

Not trusting her own voice, Ruva mentally sent to Leo, 'Where are we? How much further do we have to walk?'

Leo answered straight away. 'I'm not too sure where we are, but soon we'll reach the main sewers. Hopefully then we'll find a cart, and that makes things easier.'

'A cart?'

'Yeah, the SSM people – that is, the Stormwater and Sewers Management – use carts to take them to the drains they need to get to. They hardly ever come down here in the summer, so they don't notice when we borrow one.'

Ruva didn't respond straight away, she had questions about how the carts worked, and how legal it was for the Wendyls to 'borrow' them.

Eventually she decided on a question, saying, 'Why don't they just use bubbledoors?'

At that moment, the drain they were in widened out, joining onto a larger tunnel. Greg turned left, and everyone followed him. Lisa started chattering to Matt, both of them comfortable in the bigger tunnel. Libby started balancing on a ledge, wobbling every so often.

But Ruva's attention was drawn to two metal bars on the opposite side. The bars were indented into the ground, going further into the tunnel than she could see.

Leo noticed her gaze. 'Those are the rails that the carts use, and as to your question, all the tunnels look the same. You have to picture where you're going before you step through a bubbledoor, but it would just drop you in any random tunnel, which is why SSM use carts.'

Ruva continued walking, intrigued by this part of the city she'd never seen before. They were all barefoot, but the stone was smooth with age.

Sometime later, they arrived at a large platform, elevated from the rest of the tunnel. The tracks rose up to meet it, and Ruva could see a ladder coming down from the roof.

'This is one of the stations, where SSM workers enter and leave the pipes.'

Greg climbed up to the platform, "There's a cart here, but it's going to be a squish," he said. Greg helped them all climb up, Ruva's eyes widening when she saw their supposed transport.

The cart was nothing but a slab of metal, surrounded on all sides by railing. It seemed designed to hold one to four people, making more trouble for the rest of them. In the front corner there was a single chair with a blank screen, where she guessed Greg was going to sit.

Greg climbed over the railing, doing exactly what Ruva predicted. He beckoned the rest of them over, and everyone started piling in.

Tia claimed the corner, letting Lisa sit on her lap. Matt held onto Rob, who stood up, holding the railing. Libby and Nick sat in the last available space, and Ruva couldn't see anywhere she could fit.

'Come on, Ruva. There's no space for us, so we'll have to hang on the back,' said Leo.

Ruva's eyes widened, her breathing increasing once more.

'You'll be fine, it's just like Finn's obstacle course, and you can do that easily.' Ruva let Leo guide her hands to the bar, and he stood next to her.

Greg pushed a button, the screen bright enough to make them squint. He typed a location into the monitor, and was about to press start when Tia interrupted him.

"It's Access Point Four-Seven-Two, not Four-Two-Seven."

"No," replied Greg. "It's definitely Four-Two-Seven."

Tia rolled her eyes. "Fine, let's see where this takes us."

Greg pushed the button, and the cart started to move. It approached the end of the platform slowly, and Ruva relaxed her grip.

'Hold tight,' said Leo. 'This is only the beginning.'

Ruva squeezed the bar just as the cart reached the end of the platform. It rolled down the small slope…

…Then shot like a bullet from a gun.

Ruva's hair whipped back, the wind buffering her face. Her white hands gripped the bar, and it took all of her focus to keep holding on.

Sunlight from the drains went past so fast it seemed to flicker, but Ruva started to smile. She was moving so fast, faster than Dancer could ever ride. It felt like she was flying, the flashes of light becoming twinkling stars.

Leo turned towards her, and Ruva couldn't help but smile. He smiled back, his white teeth dazzling her.

'I knew you'd love it,' he said, his words louder than the wind.

Eventually the cart started to slow, and Ruva breathed deeply. She buzzed with unused energy, but she was definitely ready to be back on steady ground.

Leo, however, frowned. 'It should've taken longer than that.'

Ruva cocked her head, but he didn't elaborate.

The cart pulled up to a platform, and everyone started piling off. Tia walked up the stairs with caution, making sure she didn't make too much noise. Everyone followed behind her, blinking as the came back into the sunshine.

Once Ruva's eyes had adjusted, she knew that they weren't in the right place. They were surrounded by big buildings with imposing logos, not the relaxed, suburban area they needed.

"I told you this wasn't the right spot," said Tia, pressing her lips together.

Greg sighed, mumbling an apology.

Ruva could see the palace behind the buildings. It was much closer than before, and the gardens and forest surrounding it would be only a few blocks away.

Then it hit her, Ruva had forgotten that she was going to bubble home! She should have been home half an hour ago, Sela and Corbin could be worried.

Ruva pulled her TCD out of her bag, checking to see if she had any messages.

Luckily, her inbox was clear, the only message she had was from the previous night.

'We have to head back now,' said Leo.

Ruva nodded, but then she had an idea. "I want to go to the palace from here," she said.

Leo blinked. 'Okay, you can bubble from here if you want.'

Ruva shook her head. "I mean, I want to go roof running to the palace," she reiterated.

Leo smiled, but the expression didn't reach his eyes. 'If you say so.' He was silent for a moment, then said, 'I just told Tia what we're doing, and she's fine with it.'

They started walking along the street, until Leo found a drainpipe they could climb up, bringing them to the roofs of the city.

Leo was strangely silent, and Ruva wondered what was wrong. He ran with the same confidence as before, but every now and then he would stumble, and Ruva knew he wasn't okay.

Ruva wanted to say something, but she could think of nothing to make him feel better.

They stopped at the stone walls that bordered the palace grounds. The wall seemed so imposing, and Ruva had never seen it from the outside.

Ruva had never seen Leo look so unhappy. He held his chin high, trying to hide whatever hurt him, but Ruva saw straight through the act.

Leo's words from before echoed through her head.

'Fourteen years and still no roar.'

Then, Ruva knew what to say.

"I…" she started, not continuing until Leo looked up.

"I still hear you, even though you don't roar."

Leo looked at her, his eyes widening at what he saw. He rushed forward, wrapping her in an embrace. His arms fit perfectly around her waist, and she was overwhelmed by how much he conveyed through such a simple gesture.

Leo pulled back, keeping his arm on Ruva's. 'Thank you.'

It was a simple phrase, but Ruva heard all the words he didn't say.

Ruva brought the bubbler vial out of her backpack, pressing it into Leo's hand. He didn't say anything, just let her go and pocketed it.

Ruva took a running leap from the roof, landing on top of the wall. She turned back to Leo for one final moment, before she jumped down, landing in the palace grounds.

…

She was gone, and Leo was on his own once again. His heart thrummed at what she had told him, the words exactly what he needed to hear. She had seen straight through his act, and found a way to make him feel better.

Leo had hugged her, and she hugged him back, her delicate arms fitting around him perfectly.

It had been hard – so hard – to pull away, when all he wanted to do was kiss her, but he had done it. Leo was to be her friend and nothing more, just as she wanted.

He had so many things he wanted to say, but he couldn't find the words for them all at once. Leo had managed two, but she understood, like she always did.

Leo could call out to Ruva now, if he wanted. His gift was growing stronger, and he felt barely any strain when talking to her. She could talk back to him, too, something that nobody else could do. But… what could he say? What could he tell her?

Leo missed Ruva's company, her tiny smiles and silent movements. Talking to her wouldn't be enough, to hear what she was really saying he would need to watch her.

Leo looked at the vial in his hand; his ticket home. He was full of energy, enough energy to run to Mardenia and back.

Eventually he pocketed the vial, running back across the roof. Every time he jumped, Ruva's words echoed in his head.

I still hear you, even though you don't roar.

The words were beautiful – perfect – and exactly what he needed to hear.

Leo ran across the city, all the way back to his home.

…

Ruva came back from a ride with Dancer late in the evening, and was brushing him down in the stable. Her thoughts kept returning to everything that had transpired, and she whispered of it to Dancer.

"… I told him that I could hear him even if he didn't roar, and then he hugged me," Ruva sighed, not speaking for a few moments. "He smelt like herbs, like lemon and thyme."

Ruva put the brush down, and Dancer nuzzled her. "Is Leo the one who is linked to you?" asked Dancer.

Ruva frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Is he connected to you through a pink ribbon?"

Ruva's stomach dropped, realising everything that had happened that afternoon. She stumbled back, knocking into the stable wall.

"Ruva! What is wrong?" asked Dancer, her ears twitching.

Ruva slid down, hugging her knees against her chest. "H-he's falling in love with me, Dancer. I can't believe I didn't see it today." Ruva stopped, her hands reaching for her necklace.

"I'm scared, Dancer. I don't know what to do."

Dancer lowered her head, so she was eye to eye with Ruva. "Then I will be scared with you, Ruva Equine Speaker."

Ruva stood up, then wrapped her arms around one of her oldest friends. She didn't say anything, because she had no words that could convey how she felt.

Ruva didn't let go for a long time, not until her nerves were gone and she felt calm once more.

When Ruva pulled away, she activated her second gift, prepared to see the worst. Her fears were confirmed when her pink ribbon seemed a shade darker. Her knees wobbled, but she stayed standing, using Dancer as support.

"What do those markings say?" asked Dancer, no louder than a nicker.

Ruva glimpsed closer at the ribbon, realising that there was small writing running along the length of ribbon. She touched the writing carefully, as if it was poisonous.

She heard two voices, and Ruva felt sick all over again.

The first was her own voice, saying, 'I still hear you, even though you don't roar.'

The second voice was Leo's. 'I won't leave you, so keep moving forwards.'

The words were beautiful – perfect – and they meant so much to them both.

Ruva's knees wobbled once more, and only her grip on Dancer kept her standing. "What can I do?" she whispered. "How can I stop this happening?"

Dancer nuzzled her again, saying, "I don't know, Ruva. Just try to make the best of each day."

Looking at Dancer's dappled grey coat, Ruva was reminded vividly of her wild sister. "Do you miss Moonrunner?" she asked, watching Dancer for a reaction.

Dancer didn't try to hide her response. "Every day."

"We'll go back to Akarnae soon, so you can see your sister as much as you want."

She felt Dancer's moist breath on the back of her neck. "I can't wait."