“Yep, and when I tried to follow, my centaur erupted and stopped me. It’s stopped me every single time I’ve tried since.” Donovan runs a hand through his hair. "I’ve a Gods-awfulfeeling that you all are going to dive through this, and I’m going to be left here again.” The raw fear of more lonely years etches on his face.
“That’s not going to happen,” I tell him, firmly. “If you can’t cross the shadow-portal, then I’ll stay here with you.”
Alexis makes a pained noise. “Pulu…”
Cosmo takes a step back from the group, his eyes fixed on the blank sky above, then lets out a single, soundless exhale. “I’ll stay here with him,” Cosmo says.
His loyalty and sacrifice surprise me. But then, Cosmo, being Cosmo, spoils it all with insults. “If I’m going to be stuck somewhere for eternity, I’d rather it be with Donovan than a dud, a failed professor, and…" he glances at Ludo, "...an unsettlingly large, silent facilities man. Besides, I've got dragon power now—we’d figure something out.”
“Give me a minute,” Alexis says. We watch him throw a rock. It’s immediately spat out again. After a few seconds of concentration, he then pulls out a leather wallet, performs some kind of spell on it, then launches it into the darkness.
It doesn’t reappear.
“Hmm, the void rejects inert matter but accepts the enchanted organic sample,” Alexis mutters. “So why did it continually reject Donovan? He should attempt to go first. If he fails to pass through, we’ll know whether that’s a problem that needs dealing with.”
“Sure,” Donovan replies.
I blink away tears that have suddenly sprung into my eyes. “Is it safe, though? I’m not risking him; he’s been through enough.”
“Thanks, Tee-Tee,” he says, giving a weary sigh. “But don’t worry about me. What’s another few years here if you can find Wes?”
“Enough talk. Are we going to stand around all day, or actually do this?” Cosmo barks. “I’ll jump with Dono, even hold his fucking hand. Where he ends up, I’ll be there too.”
Donovan nods. “You OK if I try this, baby?"
“NO! I’ll go with you.”
“Listen,” Donovan says, giving me that tired, loving smile, “going through with Cos is the right move. And if it doesn’t work, I’ll be spat out in a couple of seconds anyway—trust me, babe. Please?”
I’m terrified, but I nod. I can’t hold him back. Not when he’s been waiting years for this moment.
“Wait.” Alexis performs a quick cast on Donovan. “I’ve put a tracer spell on you. If it works, we’ll be able to follow you.”
“Not bad thinking,” Cosmo says, then grabs Donovan’s arm. “Let’s go.”
My gaze is glued to Donovan. “See you on the other side,” I whisper.
Donovan blows me a kiss, then he and Cosmo jump into the swirling darkness.
They vanish. Instantly.
Leaving Ludo, Alexis and I standing silently next to the blackness. I’m suddenly acutely aware of my own body—the ache between my legs, the lingering buzz on my skin, the scent of Donovan still clinging to me. Just minutes ago, I was screaming his name, completely lost in him.
Now, he’s gone again. Probably to another dimension. And I’m standing here with two other men who, Gods, who I think I need just as much as Donovan. How is this reality?
I glance at Alexis. He’s studying the portal, but as if he can sense my gaze, his eyes flick my way and he smiles. “He’ll be alright, pulu.”
I nod. Grateful for his words. Ludo stands on my other side, scanning the horizon. I know he’s looking out for any trouble. He’s trying to keep me safe.
A flush creeps up my neck when I think about how he smelled me. Inhaled the scent of wild, desperate sex.
It feels…improper, for sure, but also, OK? Like, in this place regular societal rules go out the window.
With Donovan’s cum damp between my thighs, Ludo on one side of me, and Alexis on the other, I feel anchored.
“And now it’s us,” Alexis says, turning to me. He holds out a hand.
I take it. His grip is firm, warm.
