Page 22 of The Eternal Mirror
The world around me is vast and endless, a sea of shimmering silver mist. Above me, the sky is awash with swirling constellations that pulse and shift, as if the stars themselves are watching me. Beneath me, the mist swirls like water and shadows intertwining, solid yet shifting with each breath. I am nowhere and everywhere all at once.
Yeah, I’ve definitely been here before.
That time I was dying. I’d been sliced through the side by a great big sword. I met the goddess Selene, and she offered me the choice between life and death—honestly, it wasn’t an easy decision, and I’m still not totally convinced I made the right choice.
Am I going to see Selene again? And if so, is she actually going to help me get out of this mess?
But then I hear the beating of huge wings. Suddenly, there’s ground beneath my feet. Or rather, my hooves. I’m in my alicorn form. I spread my wings and toss my head, then stare up at the sky. A huge form is blocking out the stars. Vast and beautiful, pulsating with raw power. An invisible flame leaps between us, drawing tight around my heart. Then he folds his wings and dives toward me. My breath catches. His eyes—those impossible eyes—lock on mine, and I swear the world tilts. Every piece of me arches toward him.
I prance in anticipation, standing my ground as the dragon lightly touches down in front of me. He is so beautiful, my heart aches. And fierce and terrifying. His scales are so black, they suck in the light; each one a sliver of midnight forged in flames and shadow. His wings are inlaid with runes of gold that shimmer in the starlight.
He takes a step toward me, and a shiver runs through the air. I’m back in human form, and so is Khaos.
For a second we stare at each other, held in place by the fear that the dream will evaporate. Hope is dangerous. We’ve learned that. But my body doesn’t care—it surges into his like we’ve been drowning and just found air. Then we both move at the same time, and I’m in his arms, and for a little while, I forget reality. I gaze into his eyes, still glowing with the ferocity of his dragon. Then his mouth takes mine in a savage kiss, part overwhelming need, part desperation. His lips are hard on mine, and I grip his shoulders,pressing myself against him, thrusting my tongue into his mouth. He tastes real. He feels real.
His lips break free, and we both gasp for oxygen. Then his hands are in my hair, tugging my head back, and he’s biting my neck, licking my skin, burying his face in the spot where my shoulder meets my throat, inhaling me. I want to climb his body, wrap my legs around him, hold him to me so even the gods can’t drag us apart.
Finally, he goes still. He raises his head and stares down into my face. “Is this real?”
Who knows? How do you even define what’s real anymore? But overall, I’d say... “No.”
A rueful expression crosses his face. “Couldn’t you have lied?”
“I’m not a good liar. You wouldn’t have believed me. I think it’s a dream. A dream we are both having.”
“Well, it’s a good one.”
“Yeah. I don’t want to wake up.”
“Then don’t. Stay with me. At least for a while. For as long as the goddess allows.”
I grit my teeth at the reminder that Selene can decide anything and everything about me. But then I force myself to relax. I don’t want to spoil this moment. I bury my face in his chest, greedy for the scent of him. Spice and heat and something wild—somethingmine. I want to crawl inside it and never come out.
After one last breath, I take a step back to look around. This is a land of shifting mists and starry skies. There’s a sense of peacefulnessand continuity, as if this place has been here forever and will always be here.
“I’ve been here before,” I say.
He raises a brow. “When?”
“During the battle where I nearly died. I came here and met Selene, and she gave me the choice to die or to accept life.”
“I’m glad you chose to live.”
“So am I. Mostly.”
“So why are we here?”
“I don’t know. I was thinking about you. And then...poof. I’m guessing it’s tied to the mating bond. Maybe it’s tethered to this place.”
Khaosti is looking around, and I take the opportunity to stare my fill. He’s so beautiful, as a man and a beast. All long, lean muscles and sharp angles. He looks tired, his amber eyes shadowed.
I reach up and stroke his cheek over the soft stubble. “Are you okay?”
“No.” The word comes out as a growl.
“Me, neither.” I take his hand. “Come walk with me. Tell me what’s happening.”
“I’m on Earth, on my way to see your friend Killian. Grimlet is with me.”
