Page 84 of The Echo of Forever

Demetrius smiled, his eyes even more intense without the mask.

“You have nothing to hide from me,” he said, taking my hand. “I already know all your truths.”

Another chime sounded, softer this time.

“Remove your masks. Shed what hides your truth.”

I reached up to untie the lace covering my face, my fingers trembling slightly. Whether from the drugs or anticipation, I couldn’t tell. Demetrius did the same, and immediately our eyes met.

“Face your partner and look into their eyes. The first truth must be spoken.”

I turned to face him fully, lifting and resting my legs over his. The room felt warmer suddenly, more intimate. The drugs were still working through my system, but clarity was starting to peek through.

“I’m in love with you,” he whispered, dark eyes peering deeply into mine. “I’m afraid of losing this again.”

“I-”

Another chime interrupted my response.

“Kneel on the meditation cushion. Face each other.”

We moved to the floor, both of us unable to look away from one another. The room pulsed, like the walls were beating to the drum of our heartbeats.

Unzip your robes and place your hands on each other’s hearts.”

I felt in sync with him as we reached for each other’s zippers, sliding them down simultaneously and completing the task.

“The second truth,” the voice commanded.

We drifted closer.

“I don’t remember loving you,” I said, counting his heartbeats. “But I feel like I’m falling again.”

The room seemed to pulse again, and I swear I could feel energy flowing between our connected hands.

It’s all in your head.

“Remove your robes completely. Bare your truths as you bare your bodies.”

Not real.

Not real.

But still, I couldn’t stop myself from following instructions and removing the heavy fabric from my shoulders. Demetrius did the same, never breaking eye contact. The air felt charged, the need to be closer to him even stronger.

“Final truth,” the voice said, much softer now. “What do you see when you look at each other?”

I stared into his eyes, those beautiful dark eyes that made me feel protected and desired. The drugs were making everything more intense, but underneath it all was something real.

“My heart in human form,” he said gently, tilting his head slowly as if to admire what he spoke of.

“I see home,” I replied without pause. “I see the only choice I’ve ever made just for me.”

The room fell silent except for the sound of our breathing. The voice didn’t return with another command, leaving us kneeling there but unwilling to detach.

“Why does this feel unlike what should be happening tonight?” I asked, shaking my head.

Before he could answer, the door to our cabin creaked open.