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I want her to turn her eyes away from me because they are penetrating, and I fear she will see what I truly am. They hold me hostage to their magnificence.
She nods slowly and, eventually, turns back to the road to begin walking again. I didn’t realize it, but I had been holding my breath, releasing it with relief as we moved on from the subject with dazzling swiftness.
We continued on, and Jenna needed to stop every few miles for a rest and a good chug of water. I mock her for her small stride, her human requirement for comfort, and she scowls at me. I have come to adore that scowl as much as I enjoy her smile.
“Feel free to carry me if you’d like,” she said, placing her water bottle in her bag.
I grinned, and she shook her head, eyes wide with terror.
“Don’t think I won’t.” I give her another wink.
I expected her to scowl at me again, but she let out a freeing laugh instead. It is melodious and wonderful.
Gods, something terrible is happening to me, isn’t it?
We continue on for a while, and then nightfall slowly descends. It looks different than the night in my world, which is black, bleak, and starless, like an oil spill. Here, it is a blanket being pulled over the sky, a deep cobalt blue with spills of light cast across it like diamonds.
A moon rises, bulbous and bright, lighting our path as the indents in the road continue on.
But the temperature is beginning to drop, and Jenna’s breath is vapor in front of her face.
“I think it’s time to camp,” she said, stopping suddenly.
“Camp?” I utter the words sourly.
She laughs softly as she removes her backpack, then takes something out of it that is long and alien to me.
“Yes, we can sleep in this tent,” Jenna said, beginning to assemble the thing. “I just hope it's big enough for your stature.”
I am appalled by her suggestion. I approach her and place my hand on hers as she holds the item. She pauses and looks at me with a flicker of annoyance.
“There is no way I’m letting you sleep in a tent,” I say, chuckling. “Just give me a minute, and we can have our hut ready to go.”
“Hut?” She emphasizes the word, utterly confused.
My stomach swirls with excitement as I close my eyes and bring my hands in front of me as I press my palms together. Jenna’s shoulder is touching my elbow, so the magic is likely to work as seamlessly as it would back home.
Sparks of light rise from the side of the road, the color of lemon and pumpkins, zigzagging up and down in a swirl of spinning light until an oak door is conjured, free-standing in the open field.
Once it has become solid, I feel safe taking a step away from Jenna, holding out my hand to her like a prince.
“Go ahead, open it,” I whisper playfully.
Jenna looks at me, perplexed but intrigued.
“Openthatdoor?” she asks delicately.
I chuckle, then take her by the hand gently and with great chivalry. She lets me lead her to the door, which stands in a long cast of light from the moon.
“I promise you, it's safe,” I say reassuringly.
Jenna gulps, then uses her other hand to grip the knob. I know without being able to read her mind that an adventure is something this woman has wanted for a long time but hasn’t allowed herself to dare wish for it.
This door, perhaps, is her first step toward renewal.
Once it clicks, the door slowly sways open, and Jenna lets out the most arresting gasp I’d ever heard her emit.
Soft music plays from seemingly nowhere while snow falls in an ethereal environment, a cozy cabin setting with opulent lanterns of soft glowing light. Before us is a wood table adorned with a meal of taura steaks, roasted capra, smoked dripir, seared burgona, and seasoned phenson. The scent twists and turns in the air while a fireplace crackles just beyond the dinner setting.
