Chapter 31

“At least I know where we are,” Elara said as she and Finn looked down from the perch high up the side of the mountain.

“I’m glad at least one of us does. I’m just happy to be out of the Realm of Shadows.”

Elara looked at him, concerned by the sound of deep fatigue in his voice. His shoulders were slumped, and she moved closer to him, offering an arm for support.

“How long were you there?” She had not thought to ask that of him before. There were stories about becoming lost in the Land of Shadows and letting it drain your life away. She had always thought they were tales to frighten children, but looking at Finn, she worried.

“Hard to tell. There wasn’t exactly a rising sun or moon, just those ever-changing auroras of green and purple. I think I was there two days, at least. It could have been longer. I just don’t know.”

“Let’s camp here,” Elara declared. She hoped he would be back to his energetic self with a good night’s sleep.

They looked around the clearing, foraging for wood to set a small fire, as Elara spun moonbeams to provide blankets and some minimal creature comforts. She found the spells draining as well.

It took a few hours, but soon enough they were settled in as the sun dipped lower in the sky, dropping to the mountain rising behind them.

“How far back to the temple?” Finn asked as they ate the last of the meager supplies they had stolen from the keep during their search for a way out.

“Two days,” Elara said. “We are further up the valley of the temple than where we arrived with Thorne. The good news is, there is a village about a half-day below us that sits on the road to Dun Brosnacha. Depending on the trails from here to there, we should sleep in more comfortable surroundings and be able to pick up some provisions tomorrow.”

“Does time pass differently in the Shadow Realm?”

Elara frowned. “It’s possible. Why?”

Finn shook his head, then rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms behind his back. “It feels like I’ve been on a three-day coding sprint. My body is telling me more days have passed than my mind thinks.”

“A fair sleep tonight, and a solid sleep in a bed tomorrow will see you right,” Elara said. She could feel the fatigue washing off him like a strong aroma. She knew he was exhausted. She felt tired as well.

“It might also be from using your magic. I’m worn out as well, having never cast so much in such a short time before.”

Finn nodded. “That which does not kill us,” he muttered.

“What?”

He looked up at her with a wan smile. “It’s a saying by a philosopher of my world. ‘That which does not kill us, makes us stronger’, or something close to that. The theory is great burdens build strength. I suspect we both used new magical muscles in our fight and our flight. Do we need to set a watch tonight?”

Elara shook her head and then boldly scooted closer to sit tight next to him. “My goddess will watch over us tonight, Finn. I’m certain of that.”

Counting on his words of love and affection being true, she lifted his arm to wrap it around her shoulder. His hug was refreshing to her. Knowing she was free from the geas, and acting on her genuine feelings, made her bold, even as the feelings of fatigue called for caution. She turned her face to him, smiling to see him already looking at her lips. She leaned in, kissing him softly, willing him affection, healing, and strength. She felt the same feelings echoing back from him.

Their lips parted. “I was not acting impulsively in that realm, Finn. Once I knew the geas was not responsible for my feelings, I wanted to shout and sing, and dance, and hold you in my arms. I had a taste of your world and saw how some women acted there. I want you to know I am not playing games. Not only do I love you, but telling you, and showing you, gives me great joy.”

Finn smiled and kissed her again. Her heart raced at the feelings flowing through her. She was in love, she realized, and it was a glorious and powerful feeling in her heart and soul.

They parted again.

“I love you, too,” Finn said softly.

They sat together, holding each other as darkness touched the valley far below and then spread downriver to the east as the sun sank lower behind them. Stars twinkled in the darkening sky, and she felt Finn shiver.

“Let’s get under a blanket or two, my love,” she whispered. They shifted positions until they were stretched out, Elara still held in his strong arms with her head on his shoulder.

“Blessings of the Moon Goddess’s tides upon you”, she whispered as sleep crept up on them.

You must aid him and face what you fear.

The echo of her goddesses’ instructions woke Elara. She listened to Finn’s gentle breathing next to her. His warmth against her skin beneath the down-filled cover of the traveler’s inn was reassuring. She snuggled closer to him, lying her cheek on his bare chest.

She had aided him in their fight. Likewise, she had helped him escape the Realm of Shadows and make their way here, to safety. The fight had been her fear to face. Why was she thinking about her goddesses’ words?

Tomorrow, they would return to the temple. She would complete her trials. He would be able to figure a way to get home. What aid or fear was left?

He would go home.

She would be left behind once again, alone after feeling love for a man. Tears swelled in her eyes. Was that the real message from her goddess? She would not abandon him again, but maybe he would leave her. Being without him would be worse than failing her trials, she knew.

As if her thoughts disturbed him, Finn moved his hand to stroke her shoulder and back in his sleep. His touch sent a thrill of longing through her.

What will I face in the morning? What will Mother say to me? How can I serve if my heart is broken?

Her dreams of being a priestess had been her sole focus for all her life. Now, she should be ready to join the sisters, but she had doubts. Would she join if it meant losing Finn? Would he stay if he was shown a way home?

I must face my fear to aid him.

As the moon dimmed outside the window of their room, Elara pondered what cruel fate would be revealed with the morning.

“You’re moving slower today,” Finn said with a smile as he swung Elara’s hand in his own while walking down the wide road. She had woken him with a passionate kiss but been quiet as they broke their fast and then started the final leg of their trek.

She tugged on his hand, slowing him further. “I’m afraid.”

Finn stopped and turned to face her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “You have nothing to be afraid of. We won. You’ll be going back to the temple as a hero for defeating that sick son of a bitch. What do you have to be afraid of?”

She squeezed him, then leaned back far enough to look in his eyes. “I’m afraid of losing you. You have a whole life in your world. How will that impact me and the temple; us?”

Finn looked her in the eyes and then leaned down to kiss her firmly before speaking. “We have months to sort that out.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mother Nightbloom made me a deal. For each night that she provided an escort on my hunt for the power flow, I owe her a month of service in the temple. We were on the road for five nights before I fell through that rift. I won’t be going anywhere for at least five months.”

“But that doesn’t make the problem go away, it just delays it. I love you, Finn. I think you love me. How will it work when your service is up here?”

“Well, I don’t know how to get home yet, so there is that little issue. You might just be stuck with me here.”

“Stop. I know you’re deflecting with your strange sense of humor. If you could travel home tomorrow, would you?”

Finn considered her question. He did love her.

“I love you, too, Elara. I have crushed on you since our first meeting, that kiss in the dingy alley with you shivering in the cold and me running for my life. I denied my feelings for weeks, but I love you and will not abandon you. We’ll figure something out, or I’ll stay here with you. Will your sisters allow that? Yara mentioned priestesses being courted. Is that allowed?”

Elara’s smile was his reward. She turned him to continue their walk but stayed close to his side.

“It is allowed, but hearing you, I’m not worried about it. My goddess told me to aid you, and that is what I’ll do, even if it means I am not raised to be a full priestess.”

“Don’t say that. You have faced great challenges and overcome long odds. I doubt any sister in the temple has faced trials as difficult as yours. After all, none of them had to put up with me!”

Elara laughed and hugged him. “I know I can face my fears with you by my side. Thank you, my love.”