Elric and I returned slowly, walking back—but split up when we met up with the girls. Thea and I started to walk on our own, and I had told her about the plan.
She sighed, the tension evident in her tone. “It’s one thing if we’re attacked, but if we are the aggressors…”
I nodded in silent agreement. “I was thinking the same thing. I’m sure Elric and Drake will know that too—our, or at least my—hesitation.” I smirked trying to lighten the mood a little. “Maybe they’ll pick some corrupt sections first, and it won’t be so bad to subjugate it.”
She shrugged. “They are plenty, but most people—according to my parents—only focus on living after service. As long as the land owners don’t go too far, there isn’t much of a problem.”
It was a little hard to wrap my head around the political intricacies of the country, but it wasn’t so hard I couldn’t understand that destabilizers wouldn't be welcome. “I think we’ll be moving, taking people who want to follow, leaving the rest.”
The trees thinned until we found ourselves in a small clearing, a patch of moonlight framed by the arms of the jungle. Thea slowed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. The silence between us deepened, not uncomfortable, but filled with something unspoken.
She turned half away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “This is a private spot,” she murmured, almost too quiet to catch.
I blinked, watching the faint red rise up her neck before I understood. “Oh,” I said, stupidly.
Her blush only deepened, and before I could try to say something clever, I felt the urge to make sure we wouldn’t be interrupted. Drawing in a breath, I circulated my energy and sent a Sensory Veil outward. The air shimmered faintly as my intent wrapped around us, though I had no idea if it actually worked since I was on the inside. “That should keep sight and sound out,” I said, half-joking. “Probably.”
Thea giggled softly and stepped closer, her hand brushing my sleeve. “Just in case,” she whispered. A second veil rippled through the air, her own energy layering neatly over mine. “The system is more descriptive,” she added with quiet pride.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Show off.”
The tension in my shoulders eased as she leaned up, pressing a light and familiar kiss to my cheek. The next thing I knew, our arms were around each other, the faint hum of our energy mingling between us. The distance between us vanished.
For a long time, the world was reduced to warmth, the rhythm of our breathing, and the gentle rustle of leaves.
It had been too long. Too many battles, too many days running toward or away from something. Being here with her felt like remembering what peace was supposed to be. Her heartbeat thudded softly against my chest, steady.
I rested my chin on her shoulder. We breathed together, slow and even. When I exhaled, she twitched and laughed, the sound bubbling up before she tried to push me back. I caught her waist, tugging her close again, unable to stop laughing myself.
She only squirmed a little more before giving up.
“I wish everything could stay this simple,” I murmured after she did.
Her answer was quiet, a small nod against me. After a moment she said, “You’re leaving again tomorrow.”
The words hit hard. I hadn’t even thought about it much, but a pang of guilt crept in. Of course I’d rather stay. Truly, one of the reasons I’d agreed to Elric’s plan so easily was because she was coming with us. Some part of me wanted her to stay with the others here, but another—perhaps more selfishly—cared very little for our safety. If she was with me, it was fine.
“I’ll be back,” I said at last, the words simple, no jokes to soften them.
She turned her head, her eyes meeting mine. “I know,” she whispered. Then she closed the space between us, a kiss that lingered a long few seconds. When she pulled away, she smiled faintly. “I’m just agreeing. It’d be better if things were simple. I’ll see you tomorrow when you finish. Then we’ll plan on heading out.”
We stayed close for a while, the night air around us. Eventually I asked, “How long do you think it’ll take? Once we leave, I mean.”
Thea’s fingers traced idle circles against my arm. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Hopefully just until Sei comes back. But not like we have any idea about that either.”
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “Hard to tell.”
Neither of us really needed sleep anymore, but we didn’t move. We just stayed there, resting against each other beneath the slow-moving moon. Her hair tickled my neck; the warmth between us never quite faded.
Eventually, we did speak, and the quiet shifted. We talked about our dreams again, the same way we had back on the second island. Both lingered on the idea of building something lasting.
Hers occasionally drifted to the grandiose, making jokes about being the so-called ‘queen’ of the lands, while I resisted such temptations… Of course, living in a mighty castle, should it happen, would be hard to refuse.
Either way.
We talked, laughed, stopped talking, and started again. Time slipped by unnoticed. Our breathing grew heavier at times, the talking ceasing before resuming again. Even when the first light touched the horizon, neither of us made an effort to stand.
It wasn’t until the sun began to rise fully, light slipping through the canopy, that reality started pressing back in. Thea sighed, reluctant. “We should go before Serith appears like last time,” she murmured.
I grinned, brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek. “I don’t mind.”
She laughed, soft and tired. “I do. Get up or I’ll shock you, and I’m stronger now.”
“Abuse,” I accused.
She nodded confidently. “That’s right.”
Despite her words, we both groaned as we stood and dignified ourselves.
Thea stretched her arms far up. “I could eat something nice… I’ll check with Miss Star,” she said, brushing stray sand from her skirt. “Maybe she has something left over. When’s the last time you ate?”
I smiled, twisting my waist. “No idea.”
She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway, stepping toward the trail. “You should come too, it wouldn’t be good if you were kidnapped again.”
“Once was enough,” I said, laughing under my breath.
Just before we disappeared between the trees, I stayed there a moment longer, letting the sun’s warmth seep into my skin.
A shimmer caught at the edge of my vision.
From behind one of the broader trees, the air wavered with bending light, and Serith stepped through. No portal or sound
.
I straightened so fast I nearly tripped over myself. “You—uh—weren’t standing there the whole time, were you?”
Serith’s expression stayed unreadable, but the faintest curve of amusement touched her lips. “I’ve no interest in peeping on you two,” she said dryly. “As soon as I arrived, I sensed your barrier and waited until it fell.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling heat creep up my face. “Right. Appreciate that.”
Her gaze drifted toward the forest path where Thea had just stopped. “Amei already left with her daughter,” she said, voice turning businesslike. “We need to go now.”
I hesitated, looking back toward Thea. “We were just about to get food, and I haven’t said anything to the others. I should at least—"
“I’ve already informed Marcus and Griffith,” she interrupted gently. “They’ll know you’re with me. No one will worry… at least, not more than necessary.”
The reassurance helped, but only a little. Still, I nodded, pushing myself to stand next to her. “Guess it can’t be helped.” I turned to Thea and waved my hand awkwardly.
She returned the gesture, just as odd with a small smile. “See you soon.”
Serith’s hand swept outward, and the space before us tore open with a soft, deliberate sound. A portal formed.
“Ready?” she asked.
“As I’ll ever be.”
I took one last glance toward the forest, half expecting the others to come rushing over through the brush. When they didn’t, I exhaled and stepped through.
Space folded around us, and the clearing vanished.
We appeared several moments later in a dark empty room. One not unlike the first where Mei and I first battled. The first thing to enter my sight was Mei and Amei, looking around confused. I was about to ask what the problem was, but Amei beat me to it.
“Where is everyone?” she asked Serith.
She scanned the room too, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “I don’t—”
“The Elder won’t be making it I’m afraid,” a low and familiar voice said, echoing through the chamber. Drema and two other individuals—both far older—but with a similar physical appearance stepped through space to stand at the other end of the room. “An incident occurred, so we’ve filled in.”
Serith stepped back, pushing us with her, flicking her hand.
But nothing came out.
She flicked her head down, then back at Drema. “What is the meaning of this?” she growled. “Why can’t—”
He smiled darkly, cutting her off. “You won’t be leaving so quickly. After all, a valuable treasure is in your hands.”
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