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The amicable arthropod returned to the cottage at her usual time. Liora greeted her in a hushed whisper as she stepped inside the house. “Tirani! I’ve found him!”
“Found who? What are you talking about?”
“There’s a man. I suppose he found me, actually.” Grinning, she clasped her hands together in front of her mouth. “But it doesn’t matter. Either way, we met last night. I think he could be the one to help me!”
“Really? What did he say?”
She paused. “Nothing yet,” she admitted. “There wasn’t enough time. I wasn’t strong enough to stay with him for very long.” She picked at the bracelet on her right wrist. “You know how I’m tied to this world, regardless of how I feel.” Though she was almost certain no one nearby listened to their conversation, as Tirani hadn’t said anything about the return of their ruler and his troops, she kept the volume of her voice low. “I’ve already checked and repaired the shield today. I’m going to rest for a little bit more, and then I’ll see if I can contact him again.”
Her lack of facial features made it difficult to judge her reactions at times. “Just be careful. He’ll be coming back any day, and I don’t want you to get caught.”
She waggled her eyebrows. “This is why I have you to watch out for me, right?”
“Of course, dear. Anything for you.”
Liora listened to the other idle gossip her friend had to offer until it was time for them to part ways again. Tirani repeated her prior warning before she left, yet she paid little attention as she was eager to get back to her plans. Back underground, she commanded the sphere to show her the object she sought. A vision of an empty bedroom greeted her. Content to wait for him, she sat on the well-worn step, her eyes glued to the sphere.
It wasn’t long until he appeared before her, his face magnified as he examined his crystal once more. She sat still and watched him set it back down before climbing into his bed. He fell asleep soon after his head made contact with the pillow, and she set out to take advantage of the opportunity.
Reusing the same scene from the previous night proved beneficial, and she felt a stronger sense of control as she touched the sphere and returned to the idyllic forest. She stood next to the pond, certain he would be joining her shortly. Sure enough, he arrived in the clearing a moment later, nearly stumbling when he first saw her, his lips parted in awe.
His gaze never left her as she took a seat in the same place he had occupied the night before. She beckoned for him to join her upon the rock, and he obliged. When he spoke, his voice was quiet and deep, and, to her delight, he communicated to her in her own language. “Hi. I’m Stephen.”
Liora was glad to have a name for the man on whom she had already pinned so many high hopes. She tried to tell him her name in return but was unable to muster a sound. Her grasp on the dream was weaker than she had hoped, and she vowed to keep working to fortify the connection between them.
Pushing away thoughts of what she could not yet do, she chose to make good use of the time she did have and the close proximity of her companion. Despite her efforts to put him at ease, he squirmed beneath her scrutinous examination. Confidence did not seem to be one of his natural traits.
He appeared to be in fair physical condition, though he was not the muscle-bound heroic warrior she had originally envisioned coming to save her. Nothing about him stood out, until she noticed the jagged red line marring the skin of his right leg. She glanced back up at him and saw his cheeks were flushed. He fidgeted in his seat even more. The idea she had made him uncomfortable saddened her, and she frowned.
He muttered something under his breath about the origins of the scar and averted his gaze. She laid her hand on his forearm, compelled to comfort him. Like a skittish animal, he startled at her touch, and it increased her desire to reassure his anxieties. If they were going to work together one day, she needed them to start building a mutual trust. He had to feel safe in this dimension she’d created for them.
She took his hand in hers, but he remained swiveled away from her. Gently, she reached up and guided his face around so she could look at him once more. His shoulders relaxed as she stared into the hazy depths of his eyes, and she felt sympathy for this man who seemed so hesitant to believe she existed. She realized at this point, she was nothing more than an illusion to him, and she had to convince him otherwise.
She returned her hand to the side of his face. He was clean-shaven, his skin smooth beneath her fingertips, and she skimmed her thumb across his cheek. The intensity of her gaze was mirrored in his own and he didn’t shrink away.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply as he accepted her tender gesture. While her fingers had not moved, his presence was vanishing from her yet again, and she tried to maintain the contact for as long as possible. A link between them had been forged, and she would prioritize finding plenty of future opportunities to solidify his belief in her. Convinced they would meet again, she let go of him and braced herself for the lightning-fast journey back to her home.
Chapter Eleven
Thoughts of Stephen lingered in Liora’s mind. She debated how much to tell Tirani about their numinous encounters and ultimately decided not to share too many details with her more practical companion. After welcoming her into the house at the expected time, she engaged her in pleasant, insignificant conversation, all while thinking about the introverted man she needed to befriend.
While checking the defensive barrier for damage, she noticed something peculiar. Extending her mental energies beyond her house and throughout the shield no longer took her as long as it once had, nor did she show as many signs of fatigue once she had finished. She didn’t know if it was due to a lack of stress on the barrier or if she was becoming more efficient at carrying out her assigned task, but either way, she was pleased with the opportunity to devote more time to her secretive plans.
Night settled around the cottage in the woods and she returned to the sphere. She placed her hands upon its glowing surface and, in an instant, was transported to the edge of the pond. Stephen joined her thereafter, and she motioned for him to take a seat by her side.
He wasted no time in spilling forth a barrage of questions which clearly had been plaguing him. Assuming any attempts to speak aloud would loosen her already tenuous hold on their illusion, she put a finger to her lips to remind him the onus of conversation rested on him. She took his hands in hers and smiled, hoping he would feel at ease in this peaceful setting.
He spoke again, offering the suggestion of sharing something more comprehensive than longing looks and affectionate gestures. She playfully tapped him on the chest, encouraging him to take the spotlight. Though his cheeks turned a deep shade of pink, he obliged and gave her more than his original minimal introduction.
Liora listened as he revealed his full name and place of origin, both of which sounded foreign to her ears. Once he stated the basic details, he moved on to describing his vocation, and it was then his true enthusiasm finally shone through. She was amazed to learn he was an artist, a creator of limitless possibilities, just like her. Whereas whatever she imagined could disappear at a moment’s notice, he had the ability to make his ideas tangible, to put them down in a more permanent medium.
She grasped his hand tighter as she shifted her body so it aligned with his side. As she grew closer to him emotionally, she desired an accompanying physical touch, and she leaned against his shoulder, closing her eyes. The soothing tones of his voice as he spoke of the life he’d led lulled her into a state of relaxation, and she sensed something inside him. He may not have been what she’d expected, or even hoped for. Although she hadn’t known him for very long, she believed him to be a good, kindhearted man. Something about the humble, unaffected way he told his tale appealed to her, drawing her to him.
Even his simple words were able to surprise her. “I’ve been painting you,” he said. Liora jumped back, astonished her influence had been felt during his time awake. He jerked away from her and whispered an apology. Guilt settled in as she realized how her reaction could have been perceived, and she reached her hand out to him once more.
Directing his face back toward hers, she gazed into his eyes, trying to calm his nervous tendencies. There was so much she wanted to tell him, so many words trapped inside her. They were unable to make their escape into the fragile air, and she was afraid to break the spell keeping them in place. Another form of communication would be necessary.
Before she could change her mind, she pressed her mouth against his. He stiffened at the unexpected act, then relented, welcoming the kiss. His lips were soft and warm beneath hers, and they allowed her entry so she could delve into him and taste him. She braced herself with a hand on his chest, and her own heartbeat accelerated as something was kindled within her. Warmth rose to her face and she moved closer to him, succumbing to the desire to lose herself in the exhilaration of their shared contact.
