Chapter 122

Mia's Pov

As Lycidas led the way through the dense undergrowth, I couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity bubbling up inside me. "So, where exactly are we headed?" I asked, my voice carefully neutral.

Lycidas shrugged, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "There is a river not too far from here," he replied casually. "I thought we could cool off there."

My ears perked up at the mention of a river, the thought of dipping my toes into the cool, refreshing water sounding like heaven after a day of intense training.

"Oh, also there might be alligators," he added nonchalantly, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Alligators?!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in alarm. "Are you serious?!"

Lycidas shrugged, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Relax, Mia," he said, his tone reassuring. "We're not going to be diving into the river or anything. And besides, the alligators haven't been seen around here for a while."

I eyed him skeptically, a nagging fe