Page 7 of Tino

“Portal now, before they find us here,” I said, or rather ordered. I wanted Tino to be safely tucked away in the RV. I also had to explain everything to him, and since he believed he was dead or dreaming, I didn’t like my chances of getting through to him here. Even though he now at least believed it was real. Or I hoped so, at least.

I refocused on Tino, still not truly believing he was mine. My soulmatch. But he was. It all made so much sense now. Why we’d been forced apart. The leaders likely feared we would accidentally bond when we got older, forcing us apart. But all that was behind us now. He was mine. He’d always been mine. But now I at least knew I was his too.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he whispered, ignoring the others like I was. I smiled at him, pretending not to notice how often his eyes landed on my lips. Damn I wanted to kiss him so badly.

“We’ve added a ward around Tino,” Niam said, breaking our little bubble. I just nodded, not caring if I acted rude. I felt like no amount of time would ever be enough with Tino, and I kept fearing that if I looked away for just one second, he’d disappear all over again.

“Making the portal now,” Silver said, likely knowing we weren’t paying them any attention. I was glad for it, now that I knew we would soon be back on Sutiner. It wasn’t like I didn’t like it here. We hadn’t seen anything other than fields, forest, and this cabin, but it just wasn’t the same as Sutiner. We’d all been there longer and Juliewasfrom there. It made sense to return as we got ready to return to the Realm of Mages.

“Wow!” Tino exclaimed, looking behind where I sat in front of him. I could see the light reflecting from the portal, bathing the walls in the cabin in a soft glow.

I smiled reassuringly at Tino, then rose and held out my hand for him. “We’re going to Sutiner.”

He took my hand, no questions asked and then I steered him over to the others.

“Xari and me first,” Niam said. “Then Tino and Altair, then Julie, and then Silver and Wilston.” We all nodded in agreement, even Tino who’d just learned who everyone was. I couldn’t stop grinning. I was holding Tino’s hand in mine. I was touching Tino again after all this time.

“Do you have anything here you want to take with you?” Xari asked Tino.

He shook his head. “Just my bag and this.” He held up the letter from me and I felt tears threatening to return.

“Perfect,” Xari clapped his hands. “Let’s go back home to the RV then.”

We arrived right where we’d left from and I exhaled with relief. We were somewhere safe and I could finally catch Tino up to everything.Andget my much-deserved kiss.

Tino stumbled a bit next to me and I went to grab his arm again but froze when I saw myself doing just that.

What?

I saw Tino smiling brightly at me, but notmeme, another me. Wow, this was confusing.

“Um, guys?” I said, eyeing the stranger who was wearing my face and body warily, but no one seemed to hear me. I looked around frantically, hoping this was just a vision, and that maybe I could see into the future and that was all?

Laughter came to my right as the others continued to walk back to the RV, none the wiser that I wasn’t with them. I hurried after, but was pushed back by air magic, forcing me down on the ground. Two sets of shoes appeared where I lay on the ground unable to move a muscle as they kept their magical hold on me. I was trapped.

“Well, who do we have here?” one of them purred. He was the one holding me down, if his wind magic badge was any indication.

“Finally,” the woman next to him muttered. “I can’t wait to show him his next home.”

Somehow I knew they weren’t talking about the Realm of Mages or Weznipar. I’d just gotten Tino back and now I was being takenfrom him again. Tears formed in my eyes, slowly trailing down as I realized I was too weak to do anything. Why had I thought going back would be safe? We should have stayed in Weznipar.

I waited for them to kill me; I figured that was my next destination. Death. But instead, the woman pulled out a flask and forced the liquid down my throat. Maybe it was poison. Maybe I would die after all.

The potion worked quickly, stealing my awareness, and pulling me into the dark. My last thought was Tino and how I hoped he would be able to survive this.

Chapter 6

Tino

We approached the RV, and I could tell Julie was getting agitated over something. Xarius could too by the looks of it. He tugged on her arm. “What’s wrong? I can literally feel your unease.” I was too lost in the reality that Altair was next to me, that I didn’t question what he said.

She shook her head, her eyes wide and frightened. “Something feels off. Wrong.” She zeroed in on Tair and then quicker than I could react, she tugged on his arm, making him disappear into thin air.

“Tair!” I yelled, looking around the room, begging whatever gods would listen to bring him back to me.

“What did you do?!” Niam asked, his eyes wide.

“Glamour,” Xarius muttered angrily.