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My lungs still burn. I can’t breathe, but I’m no longer surrounded by water. I open my eyes to see a dark tunnel stretching out in front of me. A dim light approaches fast, as if I’m traveling down it despite standing still.
Sunder and Bobble. Where are they?
Something is wrong.
Panic claws up inside my chest, squeezing as I fight to take in a breath.
I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out.
Then I feel Sunder’s invisible hand squeeze mine three more times before yanking me sideways away from the light. My head jerks from the sudden motion. I stumble out onto a forest floor, coughing and sputtering, as I land on my back to stare at the impressive canopy.
“Are you ok?” Sunder asks.
I nod while gasping for breath. The oddness of concern in his voice sends me into another slight panic. Surprisingly he comes to my side, wrapping an arm around me. Bobble Cat circles my feet, purring. All three of us are soaking wet as the chill sets in.
“What happened?”
“We’re here.”
I look around, but it feels familiar. I know this place from my Dreamshare with Bobble. A varying array of mushrooms litters the ground, some glowing in bright colors. Moss grows generously on the tree trunks and rocks. The trees are as tall as redwoods, creating a thick canopy above.
It’s breathtaking.
Sunder builds a small campfire while Bobble runs through the immediate area, scouting no doubt. Once the fire crackles to life, he pulls me closer to it. He removes his wet clothes, and I follow suit, laying them out by the fire to dry.
In our underwear, trying to dry and warm ourselves, Sunder puts an arm around me. The warmth from our connection pours into me. He pulls out a waterproof bag from his backpack with a change of clothes. We each were only permitted to bring one extra set, at Sunder’s explicit direction.
I gasp when I look over at him again, this time noticing the change. “Your ears!”
They’d grown into points. “And my teeth are back,” he says, running a tongue over two sharp fang-like teeth. “It’s a glamour. Anyone that goes to Earth gets one automatically when they pass through the portals. Makes us all look like humans.”
I reach up to touch the tip of his ears, but he pulls back. “The tips are sensitive,” he mutters.
I blink. It’s dark in here, but I swear there’s something like a blush spreading over his cheeks.
Nodding wordlessly, I draw my hand back and hold it up towards the fire for warmth.
“I wondered why you insisted on waterproof bags.” I say more to myself, just to say something.
Sunder grunts at me but says nothing as he hands me my tight black pants and loose black shirt. I watch as he slips on brown trousers and a tunic.
“You look like you’re going to a Renaissance faire,” I quip. I can’t deny that he doesn’t look fantastic in the outfit. The way the trousers cup his ass makes it clear that he never skips leg day, and I want to bite into the firm globes as they move around.
Shit.
I can’t.
“Well, you’re one black mask away from being a ninja,” he says with a tiny smile.
That smile makes my heart warm, but another thought slams the door shut again.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the river?” I ask.
Sunder casts his eyes down to the ground and a glimpse of shame crosses his face, much to my surprise. I knew I was giving up my life to go with him. He was right that it was better they think I’m dead than left to wonder or search forever.
I just wish he’d told me.
“I thought if you knew the truth of what needed to be done, you’d change your mind. I was terrified because so much is at stake for me. I lost everything to find you… I know I broke your trust again, and that you’re angry with me. Rightfully so,” he answers softly. Still, he stops short of apologizing.
