Page 54 of Swipe Right for Stardust

I laugh, the tension of the moment breaking. “I’d totally win that, just so you know.”

“In your dreams, Earth girl,” Jake retorted, his usual humor returning.

With one last hug, we said our goodbyes. As Zarnak and I turned to leave, I glanced back one more time. Jake and Silla stood side by side, waving us on. They looked small against the vast expanse of ice and snow, but I knew they’d be alright.

“Ready?” Zarnak asked.

“Let’s do this.”

We set off across the ice field, our pace quickening with each step. The finish line waited just within reach, a beacon of hope and accomplishment. As we ran, the wind howled around us, carrying snippets of conversation from unseen competitors.

“...can’t believe we’re almost there...”

“...watch out for that crevasse...”

“...think we still have a chance?”

Their words fueled my determination. We weren’t the only ones racing against time and nature. Every team out here had fought tooth and nail to make it this far.

The ice creaked and groaned, a constant reminder of the danger that surrounded us. I focused on my breathing, on the rhythm of our footsteps. Zarnak moved with a grace that belied his size, and I marveled at how in sync we’d become.

As we navigated around a particularly treacherous patch of ice, Zarnak suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me close. “Watch out,” he warned, nodding towards a barely visible fissure in the ice.

I swallowed hard. “Thanks,” I breathed, and despite the biting cold, heat bloomed in my cheeks.

Zarnak’s gaze locked with mine, and the race faded away. There was only us, standing on the edge of an icy precipice, hearts pounding in unison.

“Vanessa, I-”

A loud crack interrupted whatever he was about to say. The ice beneath us shifted, and we stumbled apart.

“Run!” I shouted, grabbing his hand and pulling him forward.

We sprinted across the unstable terrain, leaping over small cracks and skirting around larger ones. The finish line loomed in the distance, a shimmering mirage that taunted us with its proximity.

My lungs burned with each breath, the cold air searing my throat. But I pushed on, driven by a determination I didn’t know I possessed. Zarnak kept pace beside me, his presence a constant source of strength and comfort.

Just when I thought my legs would give out, we crossed the threshold. A burst of warmth enveloped us as we passed through the energy barrier marking the end of the race.

We stumbled to a stop, gasping for air. I turned to Zarnak, a disbelieving laugh bubbling up from my chest. “We did it,” I wheezed. “We actually did it!”

Zarnak’s face broke into a rare, full smile. Without warning, he swept me up into his arms, spinning me around in a moment of pure joy. As he set me down, our faces were inches apart. The world seemed to slow, the cheers and commotion of the finish line fading into the background.

The world around us erupted into a cacophony of cheers and applause. My heart raced, not just from the exertion of our final sprint, but from the electricity crackling between Zarnak and me. His arms were still around me, strong and secure, our faces mere inches apart. The warmth of his breath ghosted across my skin, a stark contrast to the icy air we’d just left behind.

I forgot about the race, the cameras, the entire galaxy watching. There was only Zarnak, his intense gaze locked on mine, making my knees weak and my pulse quicken.

“Congratulations, you two!” Lysandra’s voice cut through our bubble, bringing reality crashing back.

I reluctantly tore my gaze away from Zarnak to face our host. Lysandra approached us, her iridescent skin glowing with excitement, a dazzling smile on her face.

“That was quite a finish,” she said, her eyes darting between us. “I must say, you’ve given us quite a show.”

I felt my cheeks flush, suddenly aware of how close Zarnak and I still were. But I couldn’t bring myself to step away from him.

“Thanks,” I managed to say, my voice a bit breathless. “It was... intense.”

Zarnak’s arm tightened around my waist, and I leaned into him instinctively.

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