A heavy sensation struck her chest, and she winced.
Teryn’s eyes flew open, brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
Cora rubbed her breastbone, but the pressure remained. “It’s…I don’t know. I keep feeling this…ache. Almost like my lungs are inflating, but not my actual lungs. More like…a flare of magic?”
Teryn lifted himself from her lap and faced her. “You don’t think something’s wrong?”
The sensation passed, and she donned a reassuring grin. “I’m fine. It’s probably just my magic growing in a new way.”
He didn’t look convinced so she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips. He returned it with tender care.
The ache sparked in her chest again.
She pulled back with a grimace she couldn’t hide. This time there was more than that heavy feeling. There was a tingle of energy with it, a familiar strain…
A chill ran through her.
It couldn’t be.
The energy grew closer, brighter, almost painful in its resonance. Emotions that were hers—yet somehow not hers—flooded her. Anticipation, anxiety, impatience, excitement. It was so overwhelming, it sparked tears in her eyes.
She rose to her feet before she realized she’d moved?—
Just as a flash of white emerged from the dense foliage downstream.
A gasp left Cora’s lips.
The white unicorn froze in place, ears erect, muscles quivering. Then all three were moving—Teryn, Cora, and Valorre.
I found you!Valorre’s voice filled Cora’s mind, the most welcome sound she could imagine.I found you! Do you know how long I’ve been looking?
Valorre could hardly hold still as Cora reached him and threw her arms around his thick neck. He tossed his mane, kicked his hooves, and nuzzled Cora with almost enough force to knock her over. She didn’t care. Laughter left her lips as happy tears streamed down her cheeks. Even Teryn was moved, his eyes glazed and crinkled at the corners as he patted the unicorn from the other side. Berol must have flown with them when they ran, for she now perched on Teryn’s shoulder, chirping and attempting to nip Valorre while Teryn petted him.
Once their excitement cooled to a simmer, allowing Cora to form words, she asked, “How did you manage it? How did you find us?”
I don’t know, he said, equal parts innocent and excited.I followed my heart and thoughts of you. And Teryn too! I tried to do the same thing we did when we worldwalked together. It was much harder without you, but…
He tossed his mane, and his tone changed at once.
But I am exceedingly capable, as you well know. I had no doubts that I would figure it out, and I did. Looks like I can use your magic just fine.
Was that what that strange sensation had been? Valorre using her magic? She’d begun feeling it more and more the past week. She pressed her face to his soft coat. “I never doubted you.”
I’ve seen some very strange things, Valorre said, abandoning his boastful demeanor.I saw a world without trees, only tall rectangular castles and horseless metal carriages that swarmed the ground. Humans cluttered the naked, treeless streets. Then I saw a world inhabited only by dragons. That was my least favorite. I also saw a world of eternal snow and a world of eternal night. I rather liked the world of eternal spring. There were these tasty apples…but they did something strange to me. I think I walked on a rainbow? And maybe I frolicked around a bonfire with wolves? The next day, I couldn’t feel my tongue or my legs.
Cora could hardly comprehend his words. He’d traveled to multiple worlds on the way here? And was poisoned by an apple? That was troubling. Mother Goddess, he was lucky to be alive.
She refused to let panic overwhelm her and took comfort in his presence. He was here. He was safe.
“Well, aren’t you the world traveler,” she said. “Or…multi-world traveler? Whatever the case, will you stay now that you’ve found us?”
He huffed a breath.Obviously.
She wrapped her arms around him again. “I’m really glad you’re home.”
I am too. A sweet silence fell between them until it was broken by,Is Teryn glad I’m home?
With a roll of her eyes, she pulled away from Valorre and conveyed the question to Teryn.
