Jane
I was too dumbfoundedto speak. One moment we were facing off with an orange gorilla-tiger, and the next the beast was lulled to sleep like a baby. “How? Why?”
I hadn’t meant to ask the questions aloud, but my mouth ran away from me. The adrenaline from the fight flowed through me, and the confusion of its aftermath meant I had little filter left.
“We didn’t defeat the creature.” Tor spoke the thought that echoed in my mind.
Calia gave us a kind smile. “Your trial was never to beat the kongana.” Her gaze traveled to the animal, a reverent expression on her face. “The test is to determine your willingness to sacrifice for each other.” She plucked two flowers from the ground near her feet. “The test of sacrifice is passed.”
“You are each willing to give your lives for the other,” Lorn continued the explanation. “But the fates, and we,” he inclined his head toward his mate, “are impressed by your resolve to stand together.”
“The strength of your love, of your bond is clear.” Calia presented each of us with one of the golden flowers, tucking them into the fabric across our chests. “You are worthy of what you seek.”
“The tests are complete,” Lorn shouted and threw his arms toward the sky. “Bring forth the chamber of claiming.”
The ground shifted beneath our feet. I stumbled into Tor. He righted me against his side and tucked me in close. His strong, hard body was an anchor for my wayward mind. I held his waist, squeezing the chiseled abs beneath my fingers.
As we watched, the environment transformed from a steamy jungle to a crystal oasis. The orange creature disappeared along with the tall, thin trees and thick vegetation. The walls, which we failed to see before, appeared in a perfect circle, lined with shining gemstones embedded in black marble. A spongy carpet laid beneath our feet. At the center of the room ran a turquoise waterfall into a bean shaped pool. The top of the falls had no source. It simply flowed from a bright white light that filled the ceiling. It likewise had no exit, running continuously into the pool below without overflowing it.
“It’s incredible.” I breathed in, gasping at the shocking beauty of the place.
“This is the final stop in your journey, my friends.” Lorn waved around the room. “Welcome to the chamber of claiming.”
“Use the flowers on the altar at the bottom of the falls. Then, demonstrate your bond to the fates.” Calia took her mate’s hand. “When you tap into the depths of your desires, what you seek will become yours.”
“More hints?” Tor crossed his arms over his chest, but his words held no heat. “It seems you’ve given us snippets of advice before every test.”
Calia laughed, her voice like raindrops. “Why, Commander, we would never interfere with the tests of seeking.”
“Of course not.” He dropped his arms and grinned at the Kinsians.
“When you have claimed what you need, the falls will shift into a form appropriate for travel and return you to your ship.” Lorn stepped forward and held out his hand. “We will not see you again.”
Tor gripped the Kinsian male’s forearm, a warrior’s honor. “Then, we will not be able to show our gratitude.”
“Your success is all the thanks we need.” Calia turned to me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “Be well.”
Tears stung my eyes. I had never known such selfless people. “Thank you for everything.”
“Do not be sad, my friend Jane.” She pulled from the embrace, smiling as she did. “The universe is a magical place. You never know when we may meet again.”
I laughed. “You know someone else said almost the exact thing to me.”
A twinkle sparked in her bulbous eyes. “Then, you can trust it is true.”
“I think you’re right.” I hugged her one final time and turned to shake Lorn’s hand. Tor gave Calia a warrior’s grip to her slender forearm too, gentle with his hold.
As the pair turned to leave through a door of glistening silver, a deep sense of knowing gathered inside me. As if the universe itself spoke through me I said, “May the stars guide you, and their light shine within you.”
Calia gifted me a final smile over her shoulder before leaving with her mate.
“They saved us, you know.” I turned to Tor, holding a sniffle at bay.
He held me close, his warmth against my skin. “They did.”
We stayed that way for a while, just holding each other and taking in all that had happened. Eventually, the sound of the waterfall and the call to finish our mission spurred us on.
Tor brought forth his flower. “What do you think we do with these?”
