Page 44 of Entranced By the Nakken
“I really have.” Her tone grew serious. “I can get you home. Tonight.” She glanced at the sky, which was a rosy gold. “Well, by the morning. The potion has to settle.”
“So?” Casimir nudged them. “Will you show me your world?”
“I don’t—I don’t know,” Tsunis admitted.
Casimir gasped. “You’d leave me here? Without you?”
Tsunis scoffed and tossed a glare over their shoulder. “Never.”
Casimir’s responding grin was evidence he hadn’t really been affronted. Tsunis grumbled, but Casimir kissed their head and addressed Cass. “That’s their version of a yes. In fact, it was more like ayes, please, thank you so much, and shout out to my dope-ass mate for fixing all my problems—”
“Enough.” Tsunis snarled. Casimir’s laugh reverberated through their bloodstream, providing the strength to address the human who would supposedly repair the portal. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Cass. I welcome your assistance.”
“Why, thank you,” Cass responded with a snarky grin, but she wasted no more time on pleasantries, waving an arm toward the brook. “Lead the way. I have a very nosy crow awaiting my return. He’s a bigger nerd than me, so he’ll be eager to collect more data from our success here tonight.”
The human’s confidence eased Tsunis’ anxiety, a foreign hope filling their soul with music. If she was right—if this worked—Tsunis would go home.
Epilogue
Casey
Two Years Later
“Oh, my favorite couple! Oh, my, oh, it’s so good to see you both!” Casey’s mom gushed, both hands clutching herself like her heart might leap right out of her bosom.
To be fair, it’d been a while since their last visit. Since moving to New Glacis, where Tsunis was recognized as a decorated war hero and granted riches beyond belief—not to mention the sheer beauty of the fucking place, which would take ages to explain—coming back to ‘reality’ was a challenge.
“Greetings, Martha,” Tsunis stated, and though they appeared stoic, Casey could hear their joy. It was because of them that Casey made sure to visit home occasionally.
“Come in. Come in. I was just about to frost the cupcakes, I’m so sorry they weren’t ready in time!” Mom quickly squeezed them both, a little tighter than necessary.
“Quite alright. I’d be honored to help.” Tsunis offered, and Casey barely managed not to roll his eyes.
Back home in New Glacis, Tsunis spent too much time in the lily garden to bake much, and enough time in theirsweet nymphaiia’s below-the-belt garden to work up an appetite. Casey was getting used to the cuisine, but they fried things, thank fuck, so it wasn’t too foreign.
Dad yelled hello from the living room, promising to come visit after the game. To Casey’s surprise, Natasha came bounding down the stairs.
“Tash!” Casey lifted Natasha when she leapt into his arms. She may be in college now, and a diligent worker bee, but to him, she would always be Little Tash, his Jenga rival and biggest cheerleader.
“Does no one here go by their full name?” Tsunis scowled.
Mom laughed, squeezing their arm and pretending to whisper. “He calls her that because she hates it. Siblings, right?”
“I see.”
“But I’m sure that’s not why you call him Casimir, because you don’t have a drop of orneriness in your blood, unlike my children, who are doused in it.”
“I call him Casimir because it is a strong name,” Tsunis intoned.
Mom beamed. “It is, isn’t it? Honestly! His trouble was thinking he was expected to go with the grain.” She narrowed her eyes at Casey and leaned closer to Tsunis like this had been a private conversation. “He was always meant for greater things.”
“Yeah, like literally disappearing through a fucking magical portal and leaving me here,” Natasha teased, shoving Casey. “Jerk.”
“You’re welcome to come visit, Tash, but you’re too busy partying every night.” Casey knew she didn’t party much. She was more likely to be found studying or competing in some kind of smart person thing, like chess or debate.
“Whatever. I’m definitely going to visit this summer. I promise.”
Tsunis and Mom had left them behind and were frosting chocolate cupcakes with bags of pink frosting. Casey leaned against the door frame to drink the moment in, light as a helium balloon. Mom was talking Tsunis’ ear off, naturally. A light smile sat on their lips as they listened attentively.
