Page 14 of The Void

How had he come to care so much for the little genie? They’d only known one another for a few weeks. Or had it been months? Time was a tricky thing when traveling between realms.

Still, the thought of being able to see her again caused a little spike of interest and something else in him. The truth was, she excited him. He’d looked forward to her quick and witty banter every day.

She was the only woman he’d known that hadn’t treated him like she wanted him because of his position and wealth. He’d been adopted by a wealthy couple and when he’d been old enough and ready, he’d taken over his father’s powerful company. That had some perks and some downfalls.

Women were easily had. Most sought him out and were willing to overlook his… quirks. But he had never gotten close to anyone. The longest relationship he’d had was a weekend tryst. But they had gotten what they wanted from him and vice versa, so there hadn’t been any issues.

Mia was the only woman he’d thought of being with, yet he had held back for some reason.

Why was that? He’d desperately wanted to explore that, but there had been a world to save. He’d told himself that if they were successful in fighting off Moros, and they both made it out alive, he’d get to the root of his feelings for her.

He almost tripped in the deep sand and focused on the city ahead of him.

Jain had mentioned that only the Athakis were allowed in the city. Why?

With each step he took, he had more questions.

How was he going to find Mia in such a large city? Why were his powers still gone? Would they ever come back? When he almost tripped in the sand again, he had a new question. Why hadn’t they build the city closer to the water?

Suddenly, he stopped and frowned at the vision in front of him. He must have been walking for more than an hour, yet the city didn’t appear to be any closer.

Turning around, he gasped at the sight of the water only a couple of feet behind him.

That couldn’t be right. He took a giant step towards the city and turned back towards the water. Again, it was as if he hadn’t even moved.

He looked down at the sand and at his footprints.

There were two deep impressions from when his feet had hit the shore from the boat, then one step forward and nothing. His feet were there. He was standing only one step into the band of red sand.

Yet, his body ached from the hour or so of walking across the space. He was thirsty and a little sunburnt from the heat of the suns bouncing off the bright red granules.

After his fourth attempt to move forward, he stilled and remembered Proteus’s words. “Hinder not thy path, resolutely.”

This must be the Kri Proteus was talking about. Was it the red sand or some sort of invisible being keeping him from getting closer to the city?

Taking a deep breath, he focused solely on getting to Mia. Only Mia. With each step, he focused on being one step closer to her.

The suns beat down on him and there were times he had to force his mind not to waver. Mia. Only Mia. Closer to her. One step closer.

When he noticed that he was indeed moving closer to the city, he wanted to rejoice. Instead, he chanted. Mia. Closer to Mia. One step closer to Mia.

He lost track of time. Lost track of how many steps he had taken. How thirsty he was. How tired. How hot.

Only Mia mattered now. Getting to her.

When he finally felt some shade envelop him, he glanced up and noticed that the two suns were a lot lower in the sky. It wouldn’t be long now before it was dark.

Returning his gaze to the city, he gasped and almost fell backward. Directly in front of him, less than an arm’s reach away, was a huge iron door. There were odd-looking symbols on it—a long slash in the middle with two triangles turned onto their sides.

He glanced up at the tall wall. Somehow, he’d reached the city without even knowing it.

When he took a step forward to knock on the doors, they slid open smoothly and silently before he could touch them.

The suns were directly in front of him, and he blinked at their light and then saw that Mia stood on the other side of the doorway in an old-fashioned gown. Her long hair flowed around her shoulders, swaying in the cool breeze.

“You came,” Mia said with a smile.

“I came here to rescue you,” he answered.