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We got stuck in traffic though, turning the normally five-hour journey into an odyssey.

It was past three in the afternoon when we finally reached the rink. As soon as we pulled up, we found an agitated Vee, who was worried sick and wouldn’t stop fussing over Nate.

“We’ll call it a day, men,” Jerke called over the commotion. “I think we all need to go home and relax. I’ll see you all on Monday morning.”

Bo, Max, Arne, and I shouldered our bags and set off together. Veitsreuth was so tiny, we all lived more or less near each other.

None of us spoke; you could tell that we were collectively exhausted.

“Have a good weekend,” I said to Max and the Viking when we reached their house.

“You too,” Max yawned and bumped fists with me.

“See you on Monday.” Arne repeated the gesture, and they trudged off in the direction of their front door.

Bo waited until they had gone.

“Tell your boyfriend I say ‘hi’.” He bumped his meaty fist to mine and hoisted his bag higher up his shoulder.

“Say ‘hi’ to Ollie.”

“Will do.”

I watched Bo cross the street and turn onto a side street. After he left, I made my way to my apartment.

It had never felt more empty and depressing than it did in that moment.

Without much conscious thought, I took a quick shower, threw some clothes, food, and my laptop with the two power banks I’d gotten for it into my weekender, and headed for my car.

“The forest will tell me,” that’s what Jules had said. I hope he is listening.

Forty-three

Jules

ThemomentNikolaisteppedthrough the veil, a low thrumming went through my forest like an earthquake.

He’d said Saturday.

Why is he already here? Has something happened?

In seconds, I had given my mask for the occasion a last minute check in the floor length mirror behind my bedroom door, then I turned around and left to meet him.

“I will be back in a bit, Barnabas. Withhim,”I told my Wolpertinger as I left the room. I heard a satisfied little grunt back.

“Bunny!” I called when I spotted him near the pathway to the labyrinth. “You’re early. Are you alright?”

“I am,” he said, rasping a hand over his neck. “Sorry, I know I’m early, but I wanted to see you.”

I stepped forward until I was within his reach. Immediately, he slid his strong arms around me.

This is my favourite height.

I nuzzled my nose into his neck, inhaling the scents of shaving soap and his cologne. They were unable to mask his own, the one I would recognise anywhere these days.

“My home is your home, Bunny. You know that.”

Nikolai buried his hands in my hair and let out a needy little gasp as he tilted my face up and kissed me.