Interphase (66 page)

Authors: Kira Wilson,Jonathan Wilson

"Oh? How so?" Clyde asked innocently.

She pressed close and brushed her lips against his cheek. "The research can wait for the present. You are weary. I can feel it inside."

He groaned. "I'm not
that
tired."

"Try to rest, dear. There's something I must attend to which will require a great deal of concentration. It will be easier for me to focus without your constant questions pouring into my mind."

Now Clyde was really curious. He narrowed his eyes and probed through their link, but no matter how hard he pressed he couldn't move past her barriers. She grinned and gave him another kiss. "Nice try."

Clyde sighed and withdrew. "All right. You win. For now," he muttered with a grin.

***

With a gasping breath, he awoke and opened his eyes. He was standing upon a hill overlooking a forest, with a cloudless blue sky above him. He felt the familiar weight of his equipment on his body. Somehow, it seemed comforting. Unsure of what else to do, he walked down toward the trees.

He didn't understand what was happening. He tried to remember where he had been before a moment ago, but his recollections felt hazy and unformed. As he passed beneath the eaves of the forest, a sense of calm surrounded him. He noticed a beautiful woman walking toward him, and he paused. She had dark, flowing hair and wore a shimmering silver gown. Somehow she seemed apart from this place, as if she belonged in a different plane of existence.

"I am glad you were able to make it here," she said mysteriously.

He turned his head in wonder. She knew who he was, even though he didn't. "Why am I here?"

She stretched forth her hand and touched his brow gently, and a flash of memory returned to him.

He clutched his chest as a remembered pain blossomed. He had been wounded. He had… died?

The woman watched patiently, as if expecting something further to happen.

Images continued to fill his mind: people, places, battles. It was as if his life was filling itself in backwards. One face in particular drew his attention; a blond haired maiden flickered in and out of his returning past. Something tugged in his heart with every passing memory of her.

Finally, the stream slowed, and he watched as he embraced her, lowered his lips gently to hers for their first kiss. In his mind's eye he whispered her name, "Jessica."

With a flash of insight, Thomas remembered. He looked around in surprise and found himself near Jessica's cottage. VERA stood in front of the doorway, watching him patiently.

"Welcome back," she said warmly.

Thomas shook his head. "I don't understand. How am I here? I died."

VERA nodded. "You did. However, before your body died, your mind was pulled into my domain by the trap set for Shalaron. For a time, I thought that you were lost, but your friends have very inquisitive natures. Clyde discovered something that helped me bring you back."

Despite his surprise, Thomas couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "It figures that he wouldn't leave well enough alone. So my body did die, but my mind lives on here?"

"Yes, that would be an accurate description of the situation."

"It appears then that I am your knight now, m'lady." Thomas knelt and unsheathed his sword, offering it to her. "What would you have me do?"

VERA smiled and touched him gently on the head. "I would have you be the keeper of this." She held her hand out, and a small stone sphere appeared in her palm.

Thomas stared at the object. "What is it?"

"It is Shalaron's prison."

A spark of suppressed anger lit within Thomas, but he released it before it could take hold. "Why was his life spared?"

"During his planned conquest, Shalaron gained access to the master level of the Analath program," VERA stated. "He learned much of the history of his world and gained mastery of their systems, then locked the level so that only he had access. If anything should ever happen to their world, we may need him to save it. However, he is too dangerous to be allowed to roam free. Someone steadfast and true must guard him, against past transgressions and future need."

Thomas drew a deep breath and extended his hand. With a smile, VERA delivered the orb into his care. It felt nearly weightless in his palm and gave off a hint of warmth.

"Surely he will not be expected to keep this vigil alone?" The second voice surprised Thomas, and he tried in vain to find its source.

"No. He will not be alone," VERA said, and then stepped aside to reveal the mystery speaker.

Thomas's breath caught in his throat. He knew instantly that it was Jessica… the
real
Jessica. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she ran forward and threw her arms around his neck. Thomas embraced her tightly, dropping the orb to the ground.

His eyes flooded with tears. He turned to look at VERA with gratitude shining from his eyes. "Thank you."

"I couldn't very well bring one of you back without the other, could I?" she said. With one last smile, she disappeared.

Thomas pulled away from Jessica's embrace and knelt before her. "Anything you wish for, my lady, you need only ask."

Jessica's smile lit up the grove. "Only you, my beloved knight."

***

David smiled and tightened his arms around Analara's waist. She laughed happily and watched the sunset from the balcony. "If I didn't know better," he remarked, "I'd say you were becoming accustomed to this view."

"I'd have to agree," she said. "I hope it isn't becoming boring for you."

"Well…" David grinned.

She turned in his grasp to punch him playfully in the arm.

"Never, my dearest," he whispered in her ear.

As the last of the sun's rays faded behind the distant shoreline, David stepped away. "I recall you giving me a gift that day."

Analara looked quizzically at him. "Yes, I did. Do you still have it?"

In answer, David reached into his pocket and pulled out the loop of colored beads. "A token of affection, you called it." He slipped it back into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

"We humans have a similar tradition for times like this." David's heart began to pound as he dropped to one knee. "Analara. I love you. I've loved you since the moment you… um, well, kept me from dying. Repeatedly." He paused and tried to gather his wits. "No matter what world we're in, nothing would make me happier than to be in it with you."

He opened the box and held it up for her to see: a silver band with a white, sparkling gemstone. Analara's eyes glistened.

"It's a promise to you, a symbol of my love." David took a deep breath. "Will you be my wife, Analara?"

With a gasp, Analara threw her arms around him.

At that moment, a cool breeze rolled across David's face.

Perfect.

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