Page 209 of Cursed Evermore

“I'm pleased you had a good time.” He dipped his head curtly, then regarded me with inquisitive eyes. “Ready to go?”

“I am, but how are we getting there, Wolfe? If we're not flying or using the elk, what are we doing?”

With a gentle smile, he raised a finger andtappedthe air before us. The air rippled then sliced open, revealing a pocket of greyness.

Wonder struck me as I beheld it, and a shiver coursed through my body.

“We're going to phase through the Void.” A dark smile spread across his lips.

My breath faltered, and I looked from him to the expanding hole. “Is that wise? I haven't phased before.”

I gazed at the opening, at the swirling grey that looked like mist. The thought of slipping into something that was filled with nothingness twisted my gut. I'd spent more than my fair share of time in those sorts of places to know I would never go in willingly.

“You'll be fine. You need to learn how to do it anyway, so think of tonight as your first lesson.”

“Is it... safe?” I knew there was a difference between portaling and phasing, but as they were so similar, I wondered if they felt the same. I didn't think I could stomach that feeling of falling into nothingness.

“Ziyka.” Wolfe's voice dropped to a low hush.

“Yes.”

“You know I'd never put you in danger.” Those words were enough to compel me to go anywhere with him. Because it was true. He wouldn't put me in danger.

“I know.”

“Then take my hand.” He extended his hand toward me, his long fingers beckoning for me to move closer.

I took his hand and the moment his fingers curled around mine, the world fell away. I barely had time to prepare myself before the air collapsed in on itself, and we were suddenly surrounded by the greyness of the Void.

It stretched endlessly around us, muting everything. Sound, sight, even thought seemed to move slower. The space felt alive yet empty, and whispers of something that felt like wind touched my skin despite there being no air around us.

I turned to look at Wolfe but made the mistake of glancing down. My stomach lurched. There was nothing beneath our feet. The mass of gray yawned into an abyss, and I was certain I was going to plummet into it.

Panic overtook me, and I threw myself into Wolfe's arms, clinging to him as fear coursed through me. Tremors of fright wracked my body, but his warm hand at the small of my back anchored me.

I chanced looking at him again. “I don't like this,” I stuttered.

“Just hold on to me.Tightly.” His command carried a smooth, sensual edge that curled around my insides.

Desire awakened in his eyes like a beast ready to pounce. The look he gave me—for clinging to his body so close I could be an extension of him—made my head spin. I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to concentrate again.

Then suddenly, we were moving. But not walking. More like drifting through the gray.

A gentle pulling sensation made my heart lurch, unsure whether to race or still. I tightened my grip on Wolfe's chest, the only solid thing here.

His other arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me. “Easy,” he murmured near my ear, his voice velvet and low.

I pressed closer, resting my head on his chest, against the warmth of his jacket and the steady beat of his heart. I realized this was the first time I'd been aware of it. His heartbeat echoed in my mind, and mine answered it, too fast, too aware.

The Void began to thin, light bleeding into the darkness. And then, with a ripple like breath, we weren't there anymore.

Cool air kissed my skin. The scent of fire lilies, sweetness, and smoke drifted on the breeze. And when I lifted my head, fireworks danced above us in the sky, under the vibrant eclipse of the Phantom Moon.

We were here. Standing atop the Silvermere Hills for the festival.

My gaze found Wolfe's, and I gave him a little smile. “We got here so fast.”

“That's why we use phasing here.”