Wesley pulled out his cell phone and snapped a picture of the portal door.
“What are you doing, Wesley?” Alora eyed the cell phone with suspicion. “You can’t get a signal, can you?”
“I was just checking to see if the camera on my cell phone works in here, and it does.” Wesley dropped the phone in his shirt pocket.
Alora gave her uncle one last hug, refusing to look in his eyes.
“Don’t forget your promise.” His voice whispered in her ear.
“I won’t. I mean, I will. I mean, I’ll remember.”
With one last squeeze, he released her, turning gruffly to rifle through one of the backpacks.
Kaevin motioned her over to the side where he stood.
“Hey Kaevin. What’s up?”
“I wanted a chance to speak to you alone before we go through the portal.” He lowered his voice to a volume for her ears alone.
“Okay.”
“I may never have another opportunity to speak to you of my love.”
“Wait, Kaevin. You know I get awkward when we talk about our feelings.”
“Alora, I really need to tell you something while I have the chance.” He took her hands in his and lifted them to his lips. “Everything I understand of myself loves all of you I’ve come to know. And exactly what you need from me is everything I want to be.”
Her heart felt warm and yummy as he drew her into his arms.
“If the worst happens today… if our lives are lost… the memory of your kiss will preserve my spirit until we’re together in paradise.”
A band tightened around her chest until she thought her heart might stop beating. Instead, it raced like an ocean wave crashing to the shore. His warm hands cupped either side of her face as he bent his head toward hers with the tenderest expression she’d ever seen. His lips pressed against hers, spurring another pounding wave. She closed her eyes, savoring the sweetness of the moment, and the thrill of his touch. He pulled his lips away, resting his forehead against hers.
“I promise to lay my life down for yours while we live, though we must lie together in death.”
“Stop it, Kaevin.” She sniffed, brushing an errant tear from her cheek. “You’re making my nose run. And I’m not good at saying mushy stuff, like you are.”
“It’s not your words I desire… it’s your heart.” He straightened, spearing her with his intense green eyes.
“Well, you’ve got it.” She dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. “If you didn’t have it before, you’ve definitely got it now. Do you really mean that stuff? Or are you just saying it to make me feel better? To give me courage before we go through the portal?”
“You need no courage from me. You’re the bravest soul I know. And because of you, I’m a better man.”
“I’m not brave, like Arista. I’m scared to death.”
“Yet you’ve made up your mind to go anyway. To face Vindrake if you must. That’s bravery. Not lacking fears, but confronting them. If Arista’s truly fearless, then she’s foolish as well. I suspect she merely hides her dread with false bravado to bolster her courage.”
He smiled over his shoulder as Arista said her goodbyes to Jireo and Wesley. “And courage, she doesn’t lack. Let’s pray she also retains a certain measure of common sense.”
“Amen to that!”
*****
Bardamen didn’t seem nearly as irritating on the return trip to Laegenshire as he had on the journey to the Craedenza in Glaenshire. He’d been silent and contemplative, apparently lost in thought. Raelene had been enjoying the opportunity to mull over the wealth of information she’d discovered concerning soulmates, trying to make sense of Kaevin’s and Alora’s situation. Some things the soulmated couple had experienced didn’t align with the facts as she now knew them. Perhaps Bardamen could help her solve the puzzle.
“You’re rather quiet.” I must be insane. Why am I asking him to talk? Once he begins, he may never stop.
Bardamen lifted his shoulders. “Simply tired I suppose.”