Mirror Realm

by Jenn Nixon

  “What are you doing here?” Lily shouted from below.

  Cyndra broke from his grasp and looked around his side. “Yeah, I’m here too.”

  “Why?” Lily asked defiantly, solving one of Cyndra’s personality traits.

  “There’s still a cast on the mirror so I suggest you tell everyone to stay away,” Cyndra stated firmly, slipping her hand into his and tugging him down the stairs. “Have you picked your council yet?”

  Lily shook her head, sliding her gaze to the ground the closer he and Cyndra came.

  Please do not fight with her about me. I’ve caused her enough pain.

  Well, she’s going to need to get over it if she wants to get to know me. Cyndra shrugged and paused when her feet hit the grass. “I’ve read enough books to imagine what you’ve been through, different but just as terrible and difficult. I want to reconnect…Mom, but we both need time. Zorin...he’s not going anywhere.”

  “As long as he faces the council and answers for what he’s done.”

  “He already said he will.”

  “And he would like to formally apologize, Lily,” Zorin said, taking a step toward her. She craned her neck and moved back. “I will tell you my story at tribunal and hope you see my mistakes as honorable and not malicious.”

  “I guess we shall see.” Lily turned to Cyndra. “I should return to the others, we have a lot to discuss.”

  “I’ll see you at dinner. Six at the lighthouse.”

  “I will be there.” Lily gave her a half-smile, eyed Zorin, and then walked a wide berth around them, heading through the backyard toward the west wing.

  Cyndra waited until she was out of view before rolling her eyes and walking toward the decorative rock wall behind the mansion.

  Zorin followed. “You don’t wish to reconnect?”

  “I guess I do. But I already hate the way she looks at us.” Cyndra didn’t pause, jumped over the wall, her gaze moving toward the woods ahead. “I won’t stand for it…even from my own mother.”

  Zorin smirked, reaching out to clasp her fiery hand, moving alongside as they neared the tree line. “Give her time. Have dinner with her and the others.”

  “I want you there.”

  “I’m not sure—”

  “Together, Zorin, I fucking meant it,” Cyndra snapped, her eyes turning cold. “I won’t let them come back here and dictate—”

  “If you’re sure, I’ll be there.”

  “I’m sure,” she said, moving into his arms. “We should go back to the lighthouse, we both stink and need to shower before dinner.”

  Zorin lifted her up and pulled her closer as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He darted up a few tree limbs until he was halfway up a tree then dove into the air, swooping down then back up and cascaded over the top of the woods, waiting for another gust of wind.

  A dozen or so people loitered around the old dock, the garden, and even the rocky beach to the west of the lighthouse. Still, the only powers he felt or perhaps wanted to feel were Cyndra’s. She had truly saved him in so many ways. Tamed his hunger, freed his mind. She made him whole.

  When the wind rushed over their bodies and Zorin blasted higher, his caster gasped, locked her legs around his waist, crushing against his semi-erection. “You are lucky we both cannot fit in the shower, caster.”

  “And you’re lucky we have to eat dinner first. I know what you want, my naughty gargoyle.”

  Zorin lifted his brow, tucked his wings back, and gently landed on the widow’s walk. “You do?”

  “Oh yes,” she said, slipping her legs from his waist and her arms from his neck, backing away.

  “Tell me,” he rumbled, stepping closer.

  “So many to choose from…”

  Defiant fucking mouth. Zorin narrowed his gaze, feeling her heat enter his chest.

  “I have to shower.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Cyndra is that you?” Jack called from below.

  “Shit,” Zorin spat.

  Cyndra cackled, tossing her head back and palming her chest.

  You knew they were here, didn’t you?

  “You made me wait…now you wait, get a taste of your own medicine,” Cyndra said, slipping against him, pushing her fire straight into his chest, no longer timid of her desire, no longer burdened by his self-doubt. Then she called to Jack. “Yep, be right there.”

  “You won’t deny me long, caster.”

  “I can hold out...” she said, smirking up at him, “…until after dinner, can you?”

  “I will try.” Zorin brushed his hand along her cheek, and then let her go.

  She disappeared inside the lighthouse, giving him a moment to cool down. Instead of a shower, he knew what to do, and dove off the side of the walkway, heading toward the water.

  Bathing in the ocean was much more efficient, and he was back in the service room, wearing the cleaned shorts Cyndra made for him before the water from the shower stopped. He tidied up the room, moving her clothes under the table in the corner, thinking they needed to discuss future living arrangements for them as well as everyone else.

  Depending on how long the tribunals lasted, all the casters and siphons on the island needed food and shelter. He didn’t know how many of the abandoned homes had wood burning stoves. Modern amenities meant nothing with no gas or electricity. This island had never gone solar, something Cyndra had wanted to do before locking them all in.

  Hoping the newly formed council came up with a plan, Zorin put on his happier face and walked down into the living area, surprised to see the group of people present.

  Rune was first to smile at him, of course, and approached with a cup made of clay. Orange juice, lots of pulp.

  Zorin signed thank you. Bale, sitting on the living room couch, elbowed Lily as his eyes widened.

  “We’ve already picked the garden clean, a couple of the earthcasters agreed to help us start replenishing it in the morning,” Jack said, pulling a huge salad bowl from the top of the cabinet and motioned him to the empty stool. Zorin sat facing outward, Rune moved beside him. “We’re going to have to find more sources of protein, soon.”

  “It may be time to meet the humans who stayed behind if they haven’t left,” Zorin said, watching the eyes of everyone settle on him. “They have chickens, but don’t have means to breed more.”

  “What happened to the rest of the people who lived here?” Bale asked.

  “Those who didn’t leave during the last months of the war must have left the week I lost my memories.”

  The door to the lavatory opened. Cyndra walked out fully dressed with her hair half dried. She didn’t look at him, so he sipped his juice and glanced back to Rune and Jack, who sat across making small plates of salad for everyone.

  Surprised to see Cyndra walk to the living room and hug her mother, Zorin watched the women, who indeed looked more like sisters now, smile awkwardly at each other.

  “I’m glad you both came,” Cyndra said. “This is pretty much where we’ve been staying since this all started.”

  “You and Jack both lived in the same village I heard,” Lily said.

  “Yeah…” Cyndra turning back, catching Zorin’s eyes. Her cheeks flushed and she walked toward him smiling.

  “That’s quite a coincidence,” Bale added.

  “Rune thinks it was fate or destiny. I say it was good timing and conditions,” Jack answered.

  “I didn’t remember Jack at first,” she said, moving to Zorin’s side. “But he remembered Zorin, so it was easy to trust him because I already trusted you.”

  Rune smiled and signed while projecting. Then I remembered him a couple days later…I think everything’s back for me now.

  “I am still missing memories, perhaps because of the barrier around this lighthouse,” Zorin said, opening up the issue for more conversation.

  “Another barrier?” Bale groaned.

  “Evie and Silvio wanted everyone to forget about the war. I think it was a really shitty th
ing to do, but I understand.” Cyndra sighed and moved onto his lap despite the odd look on Lily’s face. “Zorin’s the only one who can take it down and if he does, everyone out there who’s old enough will start to remember.”

  Jack got up, to pass out plates full of vegetables and beans with a drizzling of dressing. “That will also be a decision for the council.”

  “Did you pick your three?” Cyndra asked her mother again.

  “Yes,” Lily answered, glancing over to Bale.

  “Me, Tren, a caster from the former UK, and Salli, she’s from the west coast,” Bale answered. “Prete will take my place when my tribunal convenes.”

  “Who accused you?” Cyndra tensed. Zorin placed his hand on her waist, letting the bond do all the work.

  “A siphon named Helda. I was responsible for an earthquake that killed some of her family,” Bale said, turning his gaze away from Rune and the others. “None of us are innocent, but some went to an extreme that must be held to account.”

  Rune sighed and hung his head.

  “Don’t you think losing twenty-five years on the outside is enough?” Cyndra pulled Zorin’s arm all the way around her waist, shuddering. “All of you are going to have to live with what you’ve done, what you’ve lost…I just don’t understand why you still want to hand out punishments. What are you going to do, send people back to the mirror-realm?”

  “If we must,” Lily said, rising from the couch, holding her half-empty plate. “There are casters out there who still desire power. Siphons who hate us. They’re not happy you’re holding the crystals and us prisoner, still.”

  “Then we should start the tribunals in the morning,” Jack asked calmly. “Once everyone’s had their say we can start discussing the future.”

  We can’t fix it all tonight, Rune projected. But I know enough are willing to make sacrifices to move forward. We’ll all have to.

  The group fell silent as everyone picked at their plate of food except for him and Cyndra who set her head on his shoulder and smiled across the table at Rune and Jack. When Bale and Lily approached the kitchen, holding their empty plates, Jack stood up to collect them while Rune signed something to his father that Zorin didn’t fully understand.

  “Yes, we’ve got enough furniture in the mansion to manage,” Bale replied while signing.

  “It’s all back?” Zorin asked.

  Lily and Bale nodded.

  “I was right,” Jack said, beaming as he shrugged. “Never got a chance to check to see.”

  “Still don’t get why all the contents were cloaked,” Cyndra said, meeting eyes with her mother for a moment.

  “Mainly for our library,” Bale answered. “Many casters moved valuables to the mansion, including personal journals and history books.”

  “There’s much more to learn than what Evie told you.” Lily smiled slightly, even holding it when she met Zorin’s eyes. “There may be other ways to retrieve your memories with energycasting.”

  Zorin nodded. “Mergan was well versed, filled in some gaps.”

  I hope you can help him, we…wouldn’t be here without Zorin. Rune patted his shoulder and leaned down to kiss Cyndra’s cheek. I’m going to walk them back to the mansion.

  “I’ll meet you back at the hut, Rune, so we can figure out breakfast for tomorrow,” Jack said, collecting up the plates.

  Cyndra slipped from Zorin’s lap and hugged her mother then nodded to Bale. “Pleasant evening to you both.”

  “Good night,” Bale said, stretching out his hand for Lily who took it and followed him down stairs.

  Jack smirked when Cyndra widened her eyes playfully.

  “What did she say?” Zorin asked.

  “She wanted us to have lunch tomorrow, alone to talk.”

  You should, we’ve talked a bit, she’s handling this pretty well, all things considered, Cyndra.

  “Yeah, I guess that’s true. Probably be smart to find out if we’re going to be siblings soon. Did you see the way she looked at him?”

  I’m very familiar with the look. Rune laughed, winking at Zorin.

  “Omigod, stop!” Cyndra shook her head, flushing.

  Zorin chuckled, purposefully deep watching her body quiver and enjoying every second of the heightened energy she gave off.

  “He’s not lying,” Jack added. “If you see Pristy at the mansion tell her I saved a couple of tomatoes for her and Tulli.”

  Sure. Rune nodded, smiled at them, and went to the stairs, following his and Cyndra’s parents.

  “We’ll finish cleaning up,” Cyndra said, letting Jack off the hook since he prepared most of the meal for them.

  “Thanks, firebug. Pleasant evening.”

  “You too.”

  The moment Jack vanished, Cyndra dashed toward the staircase.

  “Cyndra?”

  “I just need a minute, need some air,” she whispered, unable to look him in the eye as she ran up.

  Zorin let her go, giving her space. Their bond was so strong, he shared many of her fears. One, however, lingered beneath the surface just beyond his reach.

  As he finishing clearing the table, he rinsed the dishes in the lavatory and put the leftovers in the icebox. Hoping enough time had passed, Zorin went upstairs, finding the service room empty, and easily catching Cyndra’s fire from above.

  He stepped out of the lighthouse and walked around the side, seeing Cyndra standing in the same spot she stood when he confessed his feelings. She didn’t turn but the closer he moved, the more he felt her arousing, nervous energy through his siphon.

  Zorin pressed his body against her, dipping his head to kiss her neck. “Cyndra?”

  Don’t talk, she replied, tilting her head to meet his mouth as her hands collected his, wrapping them around her body. Cyndra rubbed her backside purposefully against his growing erection. I know what you want.

  Shoving his hand down her pants, Zorin cupped her in his palm, teasing her with an inch of his finger. Taking you from behind is only a fraction of what I want, caster.

  Cyndra gripped the railing with one hand, pushed her pants down with the other, bowing her back, submitting to his darkest cravings. He plunged into her with his finger first, absorbing her lust-filled energy, growing rock hard under his shorts. When she bucked and her legs quaked, her other hand grabbed the railing. Zorin freed himself and aligned with her hot body.

  Impatient, Cyndra pushed back, impaling herself on him, shaking wildly, and moaning with her lips pressed tightly together. Time blurred as he fucked his caster, forceful and ravenous, ripping the shirt from her back to feel her skin, guiding her by the waist, harder, faster.

  An eternity passed them by.

  Zorin blinked back to reality when she tightened and groaned.

  Inside, inside, Cyndra projected nervously, going still.

  He slowed and eased from her body then set her down. Her cheeks flushed as she kicked the pants off her ankle and walked around the lighthouse, staying close to the wall. Watching her bare ass move away from him almost set him off.

  Then you better hurry, she cooed.

  When he reached their bedroom, the door above the stairs was already shut and locked, and Cyndra stood near the table, sipping something from a glass. Although he wanted to bend her over and finish what they started, sensing the growing fear mixed with her energy concerned him more.

  Speak your mind.

  She set the cup down but didn’t turn. “We should just go. Leave the island. I have enough dollars and ration points…we can start over, and once we’re settled—”

  “Cyndra.” Zorin neared, gently taking her hands. “You know we can’t leave, not yet.”

  “Why not?” she spat, rousing him with her defiant tone. “What do we owe them, Zorin? We set them free, and our reward is a trial? Fuck that.”

  “More is at stake than my possible punishment, Cyndra.” Zorin rubbed the triangle brand on her hand, remembering the first moment he felt her powers, altering his life, filling him with hope. Now he
had to help her see the good change brings. “There are enough casters here to start healing the world. Placed strategically around the globe, the right people can make a difference within a few months.”

  “I know you’re right and if there’s more to learn, maybe we can change you back, maybe that’ll stop people from giving you the stink-eye.”

  “I don’t care about their stares,” Zorin whispered, pulling her closer, twitching to be inside of her again. “You are all that matters to me.”

  Cyndra meshed her mouth to his, melting against his body. Keeping his word, Zorin spent hours pleasuring her, bathing in her fiery touches, devouring her energy and exploring every inch of her body.

  When she tightened and trembled below him, Zorin dipped down to kiss her again, then lifted away and told her to open her eyes. A smile came with her aroused and needy stare.

  She stroked the side of his cheek as the pleasure contorted her beautiful face. Cyndra jolted, eyes widening, displaying all the erotic sensation between them through her parted lips and flushed cheeks. Watching her succumb to her climax set Zorin off like a solar flare. He growled. His wings expanded. Cyndra erupted a second time, clinging to him, bucking, taking every hard, deep stroke he had left until they were both drained of their lust.

  Zorin collapsed in her arms.

  Cyndra stroked his back, teasing his wing. Love you, so much.

  He lifted his head slightly, meeting her worried eyes. And I love you, Cyndra. What is it? Please tell me.

  “I don’t have a lot of faith in councils and bureaucracies and autocracies…I don’t trust them to lead logically, there’s too much baggage.”

  “There are just as many connections too. Rune and his father seem to be mending the rift of time, at the very least we should give the old ways a try.” Zorin brushed a lock of hair from her cheek, certain there was nothing they could do keep him from her. “One of my mistakes was turning away from it all, trying to make it on my own until I fell in with the wrong group. I’m willing to hear their verdict.”