The tunnel branched off several times, each one glowing a different color, but Jonatham's feet never strayed from the blue. Abruptly, the glow ended, and in the residual light, Miriam made out a shadowy stone spiral staircase. Her mate led her up through the cold narrow passage, sometimes skipping steps in his confident haste. He slowed momentarily when her toes tripped over a rough edge to sweep her into his arms, but otherwise showed no signs he cared for those in his wake.

At the small landing at the top, he paused to mumble, "Aroara Moana" which sent the heavy door swinging away into a dimly lit chamber built of dark stone blocks. Jonatham paced across the space and settled Miriam on a lounge, taking a moment to cup her cheek in his hand and kiss the top of her head before stalking back to the open door to shoo in the giant Siamese cat, the final member of their mixed group. He made quick work of closing the door behind the animal and securing it with two thick iron bolts before returning to Miriam's side.

Jonatham's hand gripped her shoulder as he said in a carrying voice, "These are my personal chambers; we are as safe as possible at the moment. Please take a little time to refresh yourselves and prepare for the forthcoming conflict, for be assured my enemies will do everything within their power to thwart our objective tonight. We should meet again in this room in one hour to depart."

He waved his free hand at the three archways set into the surrounding walls. "Through the green doorway is a kitchen with food and drink; a spell will have restocked every shelf with fresh staples as soon as we entered the tunnels. The blue arch leads to my guest rooms, where the sheets are always fresh. And the orange threshold gives access to my private library; it contains a balance of useful tomes and storybooks. Jim, Father, please see the animals to the nearest guest room, which has all the amenities they might require, along with my own pet. I require some time alone with my lady to discuss strategy."

Miriam blushed when Jonatham tugged her away from the others toward a door set on the opposite wall from the colorful arches. What 'strategy' can we discuss? He is just going to cast a spell while I stand nearby and watch, and he already said as much to the others. Why so eager to talk in private about something everyone already knows?

She had her answers as soon as the dark oak door thunked into its frame when Jonatham dropped her hand and wrapped his around her waist. He yanked her entire body against him, molding her to him, and as the heat of the contact raged over her, his mouth crushed her lips. His tongue traced the seam of her mouth, spreading liquid fire in its wake. Seeking more, she opened to him and his minty flavor seared into her taste buds, the intensity of it doubling by the second, outstripping any other kiss she had ever experienced, including the previous few they'd shared; even their last one after they completed the soulmating ceremony was a distant second. How is it possible that kissing this man keeps getting better?

Warm velvet enfolded her thoughts. The bond enhances everything. If we possessed more time, if the worlds did not await our action, I would show you all of the ways soulmates experience its benefits, in the flesh and in our minds. I have read many enlightening texts about the soulmate bond, and I look forward to testing their veracity with you. For now, there is something else I must show you, to prepare you for what is to come.

As her cheeks flamed and her imagination lost itself in creating images of those possible benefits, he softened the kiss by degrees until their lips parted, and he hovered there, mingling his panting breaths with hers.

If you keep thinking those thoughts, this will be our only night together, because the worlds will disintegrate while we fulfill each and every one of those fantasies. Come with me to the window; I want you to see that I am not withholding from you, and myself, without reason.

She leaned back with a sigh. "Fine. I suppose one of us has to be practical. Though, for the record, my mother would be shocked that the person pulling back is you, not me. I'm not usually the sort to be all-in on a relationship so soon."

He grinned. "I love hearing that I affect you so strongly. Let me show you why our restraint is important, for now."

His grip loosened, though he kept one arm snug around her waist as he guided her to a window large enough her Jeep could drive through it under different circumstances. The heavy teal velvet drapes framed a midnight black reflective surface, a dim copy of the room visible on it.

Jonatham drew her so close to the stone block, puffs of fog marred their images with each breath. "What do you see?" he whispered.

Miriam stared straight ahead for a full minute, counting the seconds to herself under her breath before whispering back, "What am I supposed to see, besides the largest chunk of pure obsidian in the known universe?"

"This is not obsidian. It is a crystal window, guaranteed to provide the best view of the outside world possible, regardless of the season. Can't you see the small meadow below us, and the lush forest beyond? The speckles of wildflowers in bloom and the grazing jackalopes?" She shook her head. "Ah, of course, how silly of me. It is likely after sunset. Let me brighten things up a bit."

He pressed his hand to the shimmering black, fingers spread wide, and every muscle in him turned to stone with tension. Even his breathing locked up; only her own exhale fogged the obsidian once, twice, three times. When she would have twisted to face him, to beg him not to tease her, his outspread fingertips began to glow a harsh orange, and the brilliance sank into the gloom, revealing first the clarity of the glass it penetrated, followed by a sight that knotted her stomach and sent her scrambling backwards like a crab evading a predator.

The light did not spread far beyond the other side of the clear barrier, but those few inches writhed with nightmares. Like a school of sardines contained in a too-small aquarium tank, dark shapes with wispy edges bumped against the glass and each other, twisting over larger forms and shoving smaller forms aside with snaps of impossibly defined thin sharp teeth barely lighter in color than their bodies. Some resembled snakes or wolves, while others bore no familiar resemblance for Miriam, though she knew their narrow eyes and gaping jaws would haunt her memories.

She halted her retreat several feet from the creatures and the motionless Jonatham to catch her breath. As her own motion ceased, so did the chaotic squirming of the wraiths, fathomless gazes suddenly trained on her own. Her heart raced still faster as their bodies turned to face her, and more hollow eyes pressed into the small halo of light to stare into the room. As one, they put some space between themselves and the glass, pausing when the bubble of magical light barely caressed their features, then rushing forward in an explosive burst, filling the room with a THUMP. Miriam screamed and covered her head with her arms, certain the glass would shatter under their assault and send them streaming in to devour her.

Rushing air roared around her, replaced almost at once with a circle of trembling muscles as the room fell into complete darkness; Miriam remained tightly curled up, fear and her racing pulse tingling under her skin even as warmth infused her body.

Are you all right? The velvet voice asked quickly.

A good question, though Miriam found it difficult to answer at first. As they sat in silence, Jonatham's frame around hers and his arms holding her snug against him, her heart and breath slowed, and tendrils of regret and sorrow filtered to her faintly through their bond, now little more tangible than a thread of spider silk. I will be. What happened?

I am so very sorry; I knew they might react with violence, but I didn't think... Can you forgive me?

Of course. Though unless you wanted to frighten me on purpose, there is nothing to forgive, in my view.

His arms tightened as relief flooded their connection. "Never, my lady. I would rather go blind than instill unwarranted fear in your heart. My intention was only to demonstrate how great an evil will be unleashed on your own world should we give in to doubt, or lust, before attempting the blocking spell."

She shuddered at the thought of stepping outside this safe place to cast a spell with uncertain results. "Must we be out there to cast the spell? Surely the words can be said anywhere."

Their connection seemed to widen as understanding and compassion flooded her chest. "My lady, while the words can be spoken anywhere to begin the spell, it would be all too easy for that malicious cloud to snuff out the first trickle of magic against it and so remove any threat to its existence. Like trying to light a fire in a hurricane, a tiny spark will not be enough. We need an explosion of power at the very start of the spell to ensure the best chance of its success. For that, we will need to use a gathering circle, an architectural feature specifically designed to enhance and concentrate a magic weaver's spell, magnifying it a hundredfold."

She leaned away to pierce him with her eyes. "Let me guess. The only one for miles around is miles away, and we'll have to walk there backwards tied together at the waist to ensure the gathering of as much magic as possible, right?"

His laughter rumbled through her, chasing the chill of fear away with spiraling warmth that penetrated every cell; she snuggled close, tucking the crown of her head under his chin. I would save the world several times over to keep this feeling, forever.

My sentiments exactly, my lady.

"For now, it is imperative that we eat, drink, rest, and build our bond as much as possible while we can. We haven't much time, and even this hour is precious. Come."

As he finished speaking, the floor fell away from beneath them, and they floatedfarther from the window to an alcove set into the wall near the door. As they approached the nook, Miriam still wrapped in Jonatham's arms, a lamp hung high in the arched space flamed to life, illuminating a set of cupboards above and below a short countertop occupying half of the available space, the other half displaying a half moon bench seat piled with jewel-tone cushions cradling a dark wood oval table.

They settled onto a pillow of emerald fabric on the end of the bench seat closest to the cabinets, and Miriam allowed herself one more moment of peace surrounded by this man who was still so much a stranger to her, and yet already so familiar before pressing both hands to his chest.

"Much as I am fascinated with your ability to move me around with magic, was that wise? Shouldn't you be saving all of your magic for the spell? You said before that your personal magic is limited and -"

His fingertip brushed her lips. "Outside of these walls, that is true. Within my own domain, my magic is echoed back to me, so I lose nothing; this royal gift is one reason why all gathering circles were constructed in neutral outdoor spaces, to ensure no significant spell can be cast without significant consequence. It was a way to limit the damage one person can inflict on others; it could not limit the power of a large group of magic weavers, however, thus our current predicament."

She kissed the silencing digit before pushing it away. "You mentioned food, drink, and bonding. What do you have to eat in this place?" She winked.

With a grin, he levitated her off of his lap and onto the amethyst cushion beside him. "Anything your heart desires, though it will have to be quick. Will some soup and crusty bread do? I have the perfect elixir to match the flavors."

Her stomach grumbled. Stiffling her giggle of embarassment, she said,"That sounds delicious, but what is an elixir?"

He strode to the cabinets and began lining ingredients up on the counter as he answered, "On Earth, an elixir is often a fictional liquid with magical properties, such as the ability to give the drinker eternal life. Here, elixirs are more like the mana or life potions in some video games; they restore a person to full health and magical weaving ability, but nothing more. They are delicious and easy to make, so we often drink them just for fun as well as when one is in danger of dying or being unable to weave magic due to overuse. Here, try it for yourself."

He set a glass of lavender bubbly fluid in front of her along with a bowl of steaming creamy pink soup and several small thin slices of dark red bread with navy blue flecks. How did he do that so fast?

Magic, my lady. You'll get used to it. This time, he winked before dipping a piece of bread in his own bowl of soup and popping it into his mouth. Miriam sighed in mock exasperation before digging into her own feast. Hopefully there would be time after they saved the worlds to ask more questions.