In the days leading up to the ceremony at the Grim pack, Viola had three more ability practice sessions with Sebastian in the pool, working on her swimming until she feared the water noticeably less. The only fear she hadn't fully overcome was being in the pool alone. She could swim, dive deep, and move comfortably through the water in any direction she wanted, but only with the quiet certainty that he was right beside her.
One time, when she dove down and surfaced to find Sebastian had stepped out of the pool, panic seized her so completely she nearly drowned herself in it, and she very likely would have if he hadn't gotten back in immediately.
"I don't know why I can't stand the thought of being alone in the water. There's this nagging fear that something is going to pull me under, and I can't shake it no matter how hard I try." She had told him one night, lying in bed with her head on his chest, his fingers idly threading through strands of her hair.
