Page 3 of Sequel to the Easter Bunny

Her lips twitch with a sad smile. “One day, I will.”

She pauses at the lift, hand lingering over the button and her gaze goes to the bunny mask that she’s spent more than enough time studiously ignoring.

“If they didn’t tell you you have to stay in the mortal world, you can go back… before.” Her gaze moves to my stomach and the little godling I’m carrying.

“I’m not so sure.”

Her smile is soft. “The old gods like their wording. If they didn’t specifically say you have to remain here, you should be able to go back any time you wish.”

I study her for a moment, a hundred questions floating through my mind. She must know because she squares her shoulders and this time, she looks me dead in the eyes.

“Believe me, you want to seize any opportunity you have. The old gods don’t like that Ester plays with us through people like you. Take the pleasure you can, before someone tries to steal it away from you.”

Her parting smile is sad, and I let her escape into the lift without asking anything else. There will be time, and I can wait until she’s ready.

But patience wears thin elsewhere….

Looking at the mask again, the egg pressed between my fingers, I sort through the hundred things I should do…. And keep coming back to the one thing I want to do.

“What could it hurt to try?”

The empty room doesn’t answer me.

I didn’t expect it would, but I can’t help wishing someone else would tell me what to do.

No courage, no reward.

No risk, no regrets, either….

The mask is weightless as I pluck it from the stand.

It’s the first time I’ve touched it since I set it down.

I was afraid it would crumble to dust, and I’d never be able to go back.

But it’s solid in my hands and, taking a long, deep breath, I tie it on.

It presses strangely against my skin. The leather is still familiar, but somehow sharp against my cheeks.

After a moment, it warms, moulding to my skin, and it goes weightless, as if I’m not even wearing it anymore.

It’s only been a month, but it feels like yesterday that I wore this. It feels like I never took it off.

I consider changing, from the blouse and slacks I’ve been wearing all day, but my clothes don’t matter.

If this works, I won’t be wearing them for long.

I close my eyes and press a kiss to the warm metal egg. Static licks at my lips and—

Nothing happens.

Disappointment laces through my bones.

There may not have been an express rule that I couldn’t go back, but I think it’s safe to say Ester won’t let me return to their domain until I’ve had this baby.

I place my hand on my stomach. The godling inside me hasn’t even started to change my body yet.

Another eight long, lonely months…

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