Page 35 of Eight Embers

I take a deep breath and take a step forward. And take another step forward. And I keep doing that until I'm through the portal.

We end up on a cloud, a different one than I entered on last time. Still not quite sure how Fairygoddess got ahold of me in my dreams to transport me here, but at least I know there're other ways in and out. I won't feel quite so trapped now.

If I didn't know any better, I’d think we were walking into some sort of paradise. It's comfortably warm, a little bit sunny, and blue skies as far as the eye can see.

Big, fluffy clouds dot every available plane, with walkways and ornate bridges connecting them. I can see cottage-like homes in the distance, some clouds with nothing but gardens, and the one immediately in front of us is spread with a big, soft picnic blanket.

A blanket that is meowing at me.

Let me tell you, if you ever want to trap a girl, give her a basket full of kittens that magically change into burdens. It's actually perfect.

Before Saladriel can warn me not to, I'm diving towards the giant wicker basket full of writhing, fluffy kittens. They're all calicos, my absolute favorite coloration. I've never gotten to have a cat because they get nervous around people that can turn into giant lions, but these ones don't seem to mind me so much as I make obscene grabby hands at them all.

I flop in front of the basket and I'm elbow deep in purring felines before I realize they're not like regular kittens. At first, it's nice. Their fur is soft and warm, their little claws prickling me gently. But when I try and scoop them all up, because I don't stop to think it's weird there's a basket full of kittens here for me, they all turn into blue glowing orbs and sink into my arm. Right over my marks where the guys’ mate marks are.

“Oh good, it worked. Excellent!”

Motherfucker.

I'd know that dump truck of an ass anywhere.

“You didn't bond with Saladriel. Why not? Was he not good enough for you?”

A good way to handle somebody with a big ego is to pretend like you don't notice it. Pretend yours is bigger. “Forced bonds don'twork out too well, as it turns out. He's been pretty homesick and there's not really any chemistry there.”

Fairygoddess Unicorn pouts. And yes, it looks as dumb as you're thinking. “You sure it's not just because you didn't want to put any effort in? I know you're capable of it.”

She's giving off serious villain vibes at this point. “What do you want from me? Why am I here? And where the hell are my mates? If you took them from me, you can be sure I won't do a damn thing for you. If I find out they're harmed in any way, we're going to have some serious issues to settle between us.”

“It's cute you think you're a match for me. But lucky for you, I still want your help. Saladriel, darling, I'm sorry things didn't work out for you. I can see you're unhappy. I will revoke your bond.”

He stiffens behind me, and surprisingly, it's him that stops her. “We didn't work out because I wouldn't let her get close to me. It's my fault goddess, not hers. Please don’t punish her.”

“Well, I really thought I was onto something. But if a woman like that can't even save you, I guess I need to adjust my plans.”

I just know she's going to do something bad. And whether or not Saladriel actually likes me, I'm fond of him and I feel protective of him. I won't let him get hurt because of something he had nothing to do with. “Goddess, we simply need more time together. I can make him happy, I know I can. It's just been difficult trying to focus on school and all the other distractions around me. It was thoughtful of you to bring us here so we can focus on being together.”

I've guessed her game, and I made a risk, but it's going to pay off. I know it will. Ithasto.

In the last few weeks that Saladriel’s been with us, I've been giving him space. I didn't want to push him, didn't want to pressure him into anything. Especially because I knew he was with somebody else. Or at least I thought he was.

I'm not even mad that he lied, because I'm sure he did it for a reason. He did not ask to be entangled up in this anymore than I did, and I'm not going to fault him for trying to stay safe the easiest way he could think of.

But now, I feel like it's imperative that we play along with the goddess’ game or things are going to end very badly. Probably for both of us.

He seems taken aback when I spin suddenly and throw my arms around him, embracing him for probably the first time. I hold him and I let him feel the tremors in my arms, let him know that I'm scared too, but to also reassure him that I'm not going to give up on him.

Whether he admits it or not, he reacts to me. I know we can't always help the way our bodies react to things, but the faint taste of his lust tells me he's at least somewhat fond of me as well. I can work with that. And sometimes, a surprise kiss works miracles.

Now that I know he doesn't have somebody waiting for him, I can kiss him the way I've been thinking about since I got his mark.

He's breathless when I finally pull away, but he's definitely smiling a bit. And I can feel the black lines in my arm burn just a little bit less.

“There. That wasn't so hard, was it? This is all televised, by the way. Say hello to your fans, darling.”

I have no idea where the screen is, no idea where the recorder is, or what angle people can see us from, but I want them to know I genuinely want to help them. If it's within my power. Whatever's causing Glittertopia to not be sparkly and happy, and I think we all know the root cause, it feels like it would be a lifelong dream for anybody to rescue a planet full of unicorns. Almost as nice as a basket full of kittens.

Damn it. The kittens.

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