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Not to be deterred, I continued my exploratory antics. “Oooh! And this one!” I pointed at a plant that shot out tiny bubbles.
Each bubble emitted a soft glow and a warm fragrance. “It’s like bubble bath… but without the bath! Thiscan’tbe dangerous, right?”
He simply tilted his head, his expression still unchanging.
Then his ears — a feature I had barely noticed amidst his other prominent traits — suddenly perked up.
It was subtle, but unmistakable.
His entire posture shifted from relaxed observation to alert readiness.
In a split second, he lunged at me, wrapping his arms securely around me.
The unexpected move caught me off guard, and I let out a surprised yelp.
“Hey! What the—”
But my words were cut off as he tightened his hold, shielding me with his body.
His face was close to mine, and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek, his golden eyes intensely scanning our surroundings.
My heart raced, a mix of surprise and confusion.
I tried to wiggle free, but his grip was unyielding. Hey!” I protested. “What on Earth — or wherever we are — do you think you’re doing?”
Without answering, he moved us swiftly behind a cluster of the crystalline plants, their chimes ringing out in soft melodies as they brushed against them.
I could hear it now — soft whispers in the wind, growing steadily louder.
It was a language I didn’t recognize, melodic and eerie all at once.
Then, from the distance, shadowy figures emerged, their bodies cloaked in darkness, their eyes glowing an ominous red.
Talan’s grip on me tightened further, his body tensing, ready for whatever threat approached. I could feel the rapid rhythm of his heart against my back, the heat of his concern palpable.
I felt a pang of fear.
We were strangers in a strange land, and I was handcuffed to the one being who could possibly protect me.
As the figures drew nearer, their intent became clear — they weren’t here for a friendly chat.
Talan’s muscles coiled, ready to strike, his eyes darting, calculating our best move.
However, the momentary success was short-lived as more figures closed in, their whispering voices sending shivers down my spine.
Talan
My feet pounded against the soft soil, sending tiny bioluminescent plants scattering in all directions.
The sensation was surreal: running with Riley clutched in my arms through a forest unlike any I had seen before.
Each step illuminated the ground in bursts of purples and blues.
As much as I wanted to admire the beauty around us, we were in grave danger.
Finding a massive tree with iridescent bark and foliage that seemed to breathe in color, I slipped behind it.
The tree’s trunk was wider than most of the spacecraft I’d been on, providing ample cover.
