Shrouded Sky (The Veils of Lore Book 1) by Tracy A. Akers

a princess in a fairy tale. Orryn turned his eyes to her, and it was then that she realized the look of pain on his face. “I can make it from here,” she said, humiliation rising to her cheeks.
    “No,” Orryn said, and stepped into the pool, clothes and all.
    Chandra gasped. “What are you doing?”
    But Orryn did not respond. He stepped deeper into the water, its warmth wrapping them like a blanket.
    Orryn turned in a slow, sweeping circle with Chandra in his arms. The misty waters swirled around them.
    “Put me down,” Chandra said, staring into the bubbling water.
    Orryn stopped and pulled her closer. “Do you hate me so much?” he whispered. He brushed his lips across her cheek then trailed them down her neck.
    Chandra pressed her palms against his chest. “Orryn. What are you doing? It’s me, remember?”
    Orryn looked at her and smiled, but then his smile wavered. He glanced toward the edge of the pool where Tygg was watching him with obvious amusement.
    “Tygg!” Orryn said with confusion. “What—”
    Tygg lifted his hands. “You are the one who walked in with your leathers.”
    “You did this,” Orryn said, shooting Tygg a glare that could have dropped him where he stood.
    “I did nothing,” Tygg protested.
    Orryn released his hold on Chandra and made his way to the edge of the pool.
    Chandra hopped on her good leg, the water keeping her buoyant, while she swept her arms to maintain her balance. “Thanks so much,” she muttered.
    Orryn clambered out, shaking water from his limbs. “I should have known better than to trust you,” he seethed.
    “It is yourself you cannot trust,” Tygg said with a laugh. “Very well. I will see to it.” He peeled off his clothes and dove into the pool.
    Tygg bobbed up next to Chandra, his hair slicked back with water, black kohl smearing his eyes.
    Chandra turned away.
    “You do not wish Tygg to help?” he asked.
    “No, I do not wish Tygg to help ,” she said.
    “Then I will stay close, in case you change your mind.”
    “I won’t change my mind,” she said, and attempted to move away.
    Orryn followed along the edge of the pool as Chandra, Tygg at her back, made her way through the water. “You don’t have to follow me,” she said over her shoulder. “I’m not going to drown.”
    “Your leg is weak,” Tygg said. “And there are rocks on the bottom that are unstable.”
    “I’ll dog paddle, then,” Chandra said, attempting to lift her feet from the bottom, but quickly realized her leg was too stiff to bend. She planted her toes back on the pebbly bottom and pushed herself in the opposite direction of Tygg.
    It did not take long for her to tire of playing mouse to Tygg’s cat. “I’m getting out,” she announced, and headed to the side of the pool nearest to the dressing area.
    Tygg was only too eager to assist. “I will help you,” he said.
    “You. Stay,” Orryn ordered Tygg. He was still across the pool, but rounding it fast.
    “I am perfectly capable of assisting her,” Tygg called to him, but as instructed he did not exit the water.
    Orryn arrived in a huff. “I’ll get her to her clothes. She’s seen enough of you for one day,” he said. He reached a hand to her.
    Chandra allowed him to lift her up. She stood near the rim, shivering.
    Orryn glanced down at her leg. “The waters did you well, I see,” he said, still holding her hand.
    Chandra tilted her head and surveyed her wound, delighted to realize the stitches were still intact and the skin around them was pink rather than green. “They did,” she said, her teeth chattering.
    Orryn swooped her into his equally cold arms and carried her toward the dressing area.
    “Why do you two hate each other so much,” Chandra asked when they reached it.
    Orryn blinked, surprised by the question. He set her down. “We don’t hate each other. We merely—”
    “Can’t stand the sight of each other?”
    Orryn turned his back to her and folded his arms across his chest.