Revel by the Lake

“By the way, I’m not actually a wizard,” he called out. “I just bought this house and found the book by accident. I tried the summoning spell mostly because I was... bored.”

In the kitchen, Melissa froze mid-bite of a piece of cheese she had found in the fridge, her eyes widening.

“Whaaaat?! You know nothing about magic and still messed with old summoning rituals? Oh, you little fool!”

She lunged at him, mussing his hair while laughing right in his face.

“That explains why your circle looked so crooked! If you’d known even the basics, you’d know you don’t command Dionysus’ servants, you just try to survive them.”

Lucius rubbed his scalp, face blushing as he once again got a glimpse of her cleavage, before another question slipped out.

“…aren’t satyrs supposed to be male?”

Melissa blinked, then broke into a sly grin.

“Common mortal misconception,” she said, her tone equal parts pride and mockery.

“We’re rarer, but far more fun. Trust me.”

She snatched the bottle from him and bit the cork off with her teeth.

“Cheers to your misfortune!” she cried, pressing the bottle into his chest.

“Now drink!”

Then she vanished toward the terrace while commanding over her shoulder:

“And don’t forget snacks!”

Lucius stared at the bottle for a moment, then shrugged.

“Ah, whatever...”

He tipped it back and took a deep gulp.

Soon he was staggering after her, arms full of food, dishes, and more wine he had rummaged.

Melissa was skipping down the forest path already.

After turning around, she immediately started laughing at the sight of him struggling under his burdens.

“Sweetie, did you really bring plates?” she teased, grabbing a loaf of bread from his loaded arms, biting off a chunk.

“Food and drinks, that’s all we need!”

Lucius sighed when she stomped off again, following her grumbling.

At the lake’s edge, the sun already dipped low.

Melissa stood at the edge of the water, spreading her arms wide in the fading sunlight, while Lucius sighed and rubbed his temples.

“I still can’t believe any of this. Why could I even summon you when the circle wasn’t right?”

Melissa spun around, eyes sparkling.

“Maybe I’m just easy to summon.”

She snatched another bottle, gulped, and wiped her lips.

“You’re more of an apple juice kind of guy, aren’t you?”

“How would you even know that?” he grumbled.

“Oh, I know plenty, Lucius,” she purred. “Like how you scratch your left ear when you’re nervous. Or how you sneak down to this lake alone under the full moon. Kinda romantic, little wizard.”

He stared at her, confused.

“Wait… how?”

Melissa tapped his nose with a fingertip.

“Secret.”

“Why did you come? Why could I really summon you?” he pressed.

She leaned close, almost whispering.

“Maybe because your circle was hilariously crooked. Or… maybe Dionysus just thought someone like you needed supervision. Who knows?”

Then she shoved him playfully toward the water.

“Enough talk. Time for fun!”

Her silhouette shimmered against the lake as she dove with a graceful somersault into the water.

After surfacing, she spat out a thin jet of water like a playful dolphin.

Lucius stood frozen, more questions than answers swirling in his mind.

“Get in here, you wimp! Or shall I come get you?!”

Her voice was a wicked challenge as she splashed water at him from afar.

“I’ll keep splashing you until you either jump in or you’re so soaked it doesn’t matter!”

“Fine! Fine! Stop splashing me...,” he cried out.

Then he hesitantly took off his shirt and stomped into the water, pants still on.

“Well, well! The little wizard finally made it!”

“I already told you I’m not a wizard,” he sputtered.

“You’ve got a magic book. That makes you a wizard!” she shouted, flinging a small wave into his face.

Lucius blinked and spat out a few drops before he took a deep breath, lunged forward, and sent a huge wave of water splashing over her.

Melissa shrieked in laughter, immediately splashing him back.

What followed was a wild dance of spattering water, playful dives, and echoing laughter.

They swam, dove, and frolicked until the sun vanished and the moon and stars began to glow.

The cool lake water slipped over Lucius’ skin, but in Melissa’s presence, he felt flushed with heat.

Everything seemed sharper, more alive.

Part of him wanted to push her away, but he simply couldn’t.

He felt his heart pounding, drawn to the wild chaos she embodied.

At one point, Melissa dove beneath the surface, only to reappear behind him.

Her arms slid around his chest, her soft breasts pressed into his back, her breath warm at his neck.

Water dripped from her hair onto his shoulders, and his entire body tensed involuntarily.

Suddenly she spun him around in the water, fixating him with her amber eyes.

His heart thudded.

I can’t remember the last time anyone had ever made me feel like this.

Then, as if his body acted on its own, he kissed her.

Her lips tasted wild and sweet, like berries mixed with a salty tang that made his head spin.

She nudged him back into the shallow water.

Her sparkling eyes hovered close over his, and when he tried to speak, she silenced him with another kiss.

“Maybe you really do have the makings of a servant of Dionysus...”

Lucius gasped for breath, water rippling around them.

Melissa grinned, and for a moment, he thought he’d never seen anything so impossibly beautiful.

I should be afraid. I should run. Instead, I already want to kiss her again. What is this... this feeling?

Melissa suddenly jumped out of the water and grabbed the next wine bottle.

“Come on! The night’s still young!”

I hardly know her. And yet… it feels like she’s always been missing from my life. Like a star suddenly blazing into existence, outshining everything else.

Melissa pulled back, breathing hard, her wine-scented lips curling into a wicked grin.

“And now…” she whispered, leaning in again, “…now we drink for real.”

Maybe I’m crazy. But somehow…

Lucius pulled her closer, managing a weak smile.

This is fine.

She raised the bottle once more, and Lucius knew this night was far from over.

But he didn’t care anymore.