Page 21 of Light and Shadow
“I know.” I’m not sure what his world holds for me, but war is dangerous, and I have no doubt I’m heading into a war with magical beings.
Leaning in, he kisses my cheek. “You are the bravest woman I’ve ever met. I will do all in my power to keep you safe and get you back to your mother.”
I pull him in and press my lips to his. Sparks of what might have been undernormalcircumstances flash between us. His lips are strong and soft, and once I taste them, I don’t want to stop.
“You’re coming up or staying below?” Nainsi calls from halfway up the cliff, which ends our kiss.
Cheeks burning, I press my forehead to Aaran’s chest.
He kisses the top of my head. “We’d better get going,mo chroi.”
The steps are uneven but well carved. Still, the sheerness of the view to my right makes me dizzy. I grip the rock and keep climbing.
“Don’t look down.” Aaran chuckles from a few steps below me.
“Why do people always say that when it only makes someone want to look?” Still, I take the advice and keep my eyes on the steps in front of me. My legs and ass are on fire when we reach the top, but then the view is spectacular.
The ocean and green land are like something out of a Gothic novel. Even with the heat of the sun, the wind is cool and steady. My hair flies into my eyes. We cross a flat area to three standing stones.
Nainsi grips Bert’s hand. “Last chance to change your mind, my love.”
“I go where you go,” he says. There’s no wavering in his tone. He’d run through fire for her.
My parents had a love like that, and I’d always dreamed I would find the same. After almost ten years of dating, I’ve fallen into doubt.
Standing in front of the stones, Aaran says words I don’t understand and raises his hands. As he lowers them in an arc, a hole opens. It’s black inside, and the wind whips erratically as it did the day I first met him.
Without a word, Nainsi and Bert step through and disappear.
Aaran looks back at me and offers his hand.
Swallowing down the lump of fear in my throat, I place my hand in his and step into the swirling wind. Inside the portal, it’s as if I’m falling and flying at the same time. Stars zip past me at lightning speed and in every direction. There are colors and pitch darkness. My stomach roils, and I can’t catch my breath. It feels as if my flesh is being ripped from my bones. I’m dying. There’s no doubt in my mind. All of this, and I die with this portal chopping me to bits.
Then it all stops and Aaran grips my elbows to keep my knees from buckling. “We’re here. Can you stand?”
“What the fuck was that?” Testing my legs, I lift one foot, then the other. “I think so.”
“That was a portal. It’s not pleasant.” Sympathy fills those beautiful eyes.
“So when you came through the wall, it felt like you were being ripped to pieces.”
He gave one little wince. I feel like my face will permanently show the agony of that horrible thing.
“That portal was made with oracle magic. It’s not as bad.”
“Why didn’t it bring us to the mound near the old city?” Nainsi helps Bert stand and shakes off the effects.
Easing his hands away, Aaran makes sure I can keep my feet. “My mother altered the exit point so that it would always bring those in the light to a safe place. Every time a portal or the surrounding area is touch by dark magic, the spell alters the exit point. So, we don’t always know where we’ll land. The old city is never safe anymore. The witch queen has ruined it and much of the eastern continent with dark magic. This is better. At least we won’t need another portal to bring us across the ocean.”
Another sea, which is the darkest navy with a purple sheen, spreads as far as I can see. Above, three planets or moons shine in the pale blue sky.
My mouth is open, and I force it closed. “This is Domhan?”
Taking my hand, Aaran leads me away from the sea. “Part of it anyway. This is Clandunna in the south. It’s not where I left from, nor where I expected us to arrive. I’d hoped we’d be closer to home.” He points to a river flowing in the distance. “There’s a village near the river. We should be able to get a meal and rest there We can get home via the river.”
He says home as if I’m part of the place where his people are. My home is so far away now, I may never see it again. I release him and stare back at the flow of the foreign sea. It’s beautiful, but the air rings with danger and death. The shadow demon I killed screams in my head, and I shake the memory away. That is what this place will become if I don’t at least try. My heart aches for my world, for my mother. Soon I’ll meet the people here and add them to my worries.Harper, you made your decision. Pull up your big girl panties and see this through.
Wrapping me in his arms from behind, he whispers, “Do you see the planets?”
