I’d only just sat down with a coffee and one of Brick’s new cherry tarts when a scrabbling noise at the window made me almost spill my drink.

I leapt to my feet and opened it, letting Bonaparte in.

“Help!” the dire-weasel implored in his raspy voice, standing on his hind legs and holding his hands together in a pleading motion. “Help!”

I placed my hands on his shoulders, which were almost level with mine.

“Calm down, Bonaparte. What’s going on?”

“Fight! By river!”

“Who’s fighting? Do I need to get Brick?” I’d have to call him out of the kitchen, but I knew he wouldn’t mind if it was important.

“Pooky! Ermine!”

“They’re at it again?” I sighed. Their little love triangle was getting complicated.

Ermine, Bonaparte’s ex-girlfriend, had previously been infatuated with Slick, a shifter who had been trapped in his weasel-form, but when we had installed a patch that could allow sentient beings to alter their physical forms, Slick had changed his race from shifter to straight human, having had enough experience as an animal for ten lifetimes, and Ermine was back on the market.

Unfortunately for her, Pooky had successfully transferred into a dire-weasel body, although she maintained some of her Pomeranian fluffiness, which had sent Ermine wild with jealousy and they both fought like crazy over Bonaparte. I suspected Bonaparte actually enjoyed the attention most of the time, until blood was drawn.

All in all, it was like watching a dire-weasel edition of a daytime soap opera.

“Help! Blood!”

“Fine, I’m coming,” I said, deciding not to bother Brick. I could probably handle this one on my own. “But I’m bringing my coffee.”

By the time we got to the river, Bruiser was already there in his bear-form and was breaking them apart anyway, growling as they tried to swat at each other from around his huge paws.

“Quit it!” he snarled, snapping his jaws threateningly at Pooky.

“Get that bitch outta here!” Pooky yipped, hissing angrily at Ermine, who just hissed back. Unlike the Newtopian dire-weasels, Pooky spoke in full sentences, which made her a lot easier to understand, and she had brought swear words and turns of phrase from Earth with her.

“Make me!”

“I’m tempted to leave you both with your injuries,” I said, taking a seat on a rock next to the river.

“Emma!” Pooky scrambled up the river towards me and rolled in the grass at my feet. Standing on all fours, her head rested on my knee, and I placed my hand over her torn ear.

“You kinda deserve this,

Scrapping without end,

If you’d just find your peace,

You might even become friends.”

Pooky’s ear knit itself back together under my palm, and I scratched it affectionately as she nuzzled into my arms.

“Friends? With her? No thanks.”

“Bonaparte! Mine first!” Ermine hissed, plodding up out of the river with a limp.

“He’s not a thing, Ermine. You can’t make him love you,” I said firmly, then turned to Bonaparte. “And you! You could end this yourself instead of letting everyone else do your dirty work.”

I pushed Pooky to the side and took Ermine’s paw in my hand, looking her dead in the eye. “If I heal this, you’re not allowed to go start another fight, alright? I won’t be around for a while.”

Bruiser shifted into his human form with a splash, rivulets of water trickling down his hairy body.

“You’re going back to Earth?” Bruiser asked, not shocked, but with a hint of loss in his voice. We’d spent a lot of time together over the past few weeks, but he felt tied to Newtopia and had no wish to make his home on Earth. “For how long?”

“I’m not sure,” I said, but slid off my rock and met him in the shallows of the river, the cool water pooling around our ankles. “Brick wants to find some new flavour profiles and import some new ingredients. And I should make sure the house and the budgets are being managed okay on the other side. You know how James can be, and Nightfall just isn’t used to the whole building maintenance deal. I guess it’ll depend on what else I’ve got to deal with on the other side.”

“I’d ask you to come back soon, but I know that’s too much to ask,” he rumbled, and gathered me in his arms for a tender kiss. “I’ll settle for asking you to make sure you come back to me, whenever it is that you can.”

“Of course,” I smiled, resting my chin on his wet shoulder as we embraced. “You couldn’t keep me away from this place if you tried. We won’t be going until evening though. Do you want to come back to the bakery and try Brick’s latest invention?”

He placed his hands on my thighs and hoisted me up, carrying me as he strode out of the river. “Not unless he invented a new way of ravishing you.”

I laughed, wrapping my legs around his waist, as well as my tail for good measure. “I’m sure we can do that as well.”

“I’m going to take you here and now then, if it’s all the same to you,” Bruiser said, nipping at my neck. “If the others get to go with you, I want you all to myself while I can have you.”

“Well, Bastion and Jackal are staying behind to keep the bakery running,” I said, but pulled him towards the edge of the forest where one of our favourite glades was hidden just out of view. “But if it’s all the same to you, I think I like the idea of you taking me right here and now.”

“As my lady commands.”

Pooky and Ermine had already started squabbling again, although with a little less heat, but I ignored them in favour of Bruiser. I truly didn’t know how long I’d be without him, just as I hadn’t known or intended to spend several months away from Nightfall.

We fell together into the soft grass, and he peeled my clothes off me carefully. He’d learned his lesson about tearing my clothing that first time we’d met. The memory made me laugh, and he pulled away to regard me warmly.

“What’s so funny, my love?”

“I was just thinking how we first met,” I grinned, seating myself on his lap and tracing the contours of his muscles with a lazy finger. “And how far we’ve come.”

“Not the best first impression I’ve made,” he grinned at me, unrepentant. “But it all worked out okay, so I’ve got no complaints.”

He moved to kiss me again, but I flattened my palm on the plane of his chest, and he paused, cocking his head at me in question.

“What is it?”

“If anything keeps me away, if it takes longer than I intend to come back… I don’t mind if you find another girlfriend, Bruiser,” I said softly. “With the others… Bastion and Jackal, I mean, I know they’re with me exclusively and that’s the way they want it but… I know you’ve got more of a philosophy of free love, and I just wanted to clear it up in case you had any doubt, that I don’t mind if you find someone else. I don’t want you being all… I don’t know, frustrated without me.”

Bruiser laughed. “Thank you, my dear one. You realize I did not think it was possible to love again until I met you? Since I lost Elise… part of me died with her, but with you I feel resurrected. More than resurrected. I’m more alive than I’ve ever been before. I know you don’t take Nightfall’s pet name that seriously, but you are a goddess in this world, my sweet, and there is no one who could capture my heart in the same way.”

I blushed, my heart swelling with pleasure at his words. He stroked my arms, then trailed his arms around my back and pulled me in for a kiss.

“Still, even if you’re not in love, I don’t mind if you keep sowing your wild oats while I’m gone. If you want to wait for me, that’s fine too,” I snuggled into him. “I just wanted you to know it’s okay. And I’ll still come back to you, regardless.”

“Understood,” he said, then rolled us over so my back pressed into the soft soil. “Although right now, there’s only one place I’d like to sow my oats.”

I shrieked and giggled as he kissed and sucked my neck, rubbing his scruffy beard into my sensitive skin.

“Come on darling,” he pleaded, running his tongue along my pheromone pores.

I took a breath and relaxed, letting a plume of succubus pheromones enshroud us. The effect on him was visible, his eyes dilating with animal want. He captured me with another kiss, letting me feel the full measure of his desire as he devoured me, pressing himself into me with such frantic force I was sure I’d leave a permanent impression on the ground.

“Ungh, Bruiser…”

“My goddess…”

Stars exploded behind my eyes and his fingers dug into my shoulders as he spent himself, and it took several minutes for us to catch our breath before he leaned back, hovering over me even as we were still connected at the hip.

“I love you, Emma,” he whispered. “And I’ll miss you with every fiber of my being while you are gone. But don’t hurry back on my account. You have important work to do, and I’m sure Nightfall is missing you on the other side. I’ll be here, waiting, when you get back.”

His eyes traced over me, and I could tell he was committing this moment to memory. It must be hard, I thought, to let people go when you had lost someone as permanently as he had lost Elise.

I smiled at him, and let him have his moment of appreciation, until he helped me up. I kissed him again, then he handed my clothes to me, and I dressed as he shifted back into his bear-form, and we walked side-by-side back to the bakery, but he left me at the threshold.

“Enjoy the rest of your time with Bastion and Jackal,” Bruiser said in his deep rumble. “I’ve said my goodbye. I won’t be far when you return.”

“I love you, Bruiser. Take care of yourself.”

“I love you too, Emma,” he said, pressing his wet, black nose into the palm of my hand before turning and loping back towards the river.

I watched his furry, round brown bottom disappear over the hill and turned back to the bakery we’d made on the edge of town. It really had surpassed my wildest dreams, but I’d always been brilliant at designing houses in The Sims, and when I’d given Jenny my floor plan and all my specifications, she’d come through and finished the building to a level of detail I couldn’t have possibly imagined. I was looking forward to getting to hang out with her again on Earth and build more collaborative ideas.

I stepped in through the threshold and greeted Blade, who was having a drink of very milky coffee and a steaming meat pie. He twitched his ears at me when he saw me, displaying them clearly since they had been replaced with an appropriately feline pair.

“Care to share a drink with me, succubus?” he greeted me, with a wide Cheshire cat grin.

“Can’t today, Blade, but good to see you again. How’s your adventuring?”

Blade grinned even wider, his fangs gleaming white. “Very good. Got a regular job guarding the caravans between the new farms to the West all the way to Isekai.”

“Ah,” I gave him a knowing look. “Say hi to Kira for me, won’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re inferring,” he lied. We all knew he was head over heels for the innkeeper, and now he felt confident to take his hat off, he had no problem in tipping it in Kira’s direction. The only issue was that while Kira didn’t mind a tumble in the hay, she was still a tetchy piece of work – but the guys and I were convinced that just made them a better match.

“Sure,” I rolled my eyes. “Good luck on your travels. I’ll be out of town for a while.”

“You going to where Nightfall is?”

“Yeah.”

“Tell him… thanks. From me.”

“I will. I’m sure that will mean a lot to him.”

He nodded and turned back to his pie. We both knew Nightfall cared more about solving the puzzle Blade’s situation had presented rather than his actual feelings about his human ears, but it didn’t need to be pointed out.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

In the New Citadel, we’d installed a machine that could molecularly change a being’s species on the condition the being was sentient and could instruct the machine to do so themselves. It was our workaround to make sure that it wasn’t abused, but it had meant everything to both Blade and Slick. Rather than being a reversed nekokin, Blade was now a full feliskin, his body matching his identity. And as a human, Slick had been given a second chance at life without the effects of the necromantic curse, which had proven too difficult to remove any other way.

No one else to my knowledge had used it, but even though it wasn’t frequently employed, it was worth the effort to design it when it had improved those individuals’ lives immeasurably.

“Emma, if you don’t try that tart soon, Brick’s going to lose his mind,” Bastion poked his head out of the kitchen and called out to me. “He wants to make a second batch before you guys leave so he can adjust his recipe notes.”

“Sorry,” I blushed, hurrying back into the living quarters through the back of the bakery. “I’ll get on it now.”

My cherry tart was still sitting on the table, steaming hot and delicious. I picked it up and nibbled the edge. It had a buttery crust that paired beautifully with the cherry compote he’d made to fill the cup.

“What do you think?” Brick asked, and I jumped. He was standing by the back wall, wringing a tea towel in his hands, a white apron slung over his muscled, green torso. “Too sweet? Too tart?”

“It’s perfect,” I said, and he breathed out a sigh of relief. “Seriously, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll go finish my notes. Thanks Emma.”

Brick disappeared back through the kitchen door, and Bastion came out shortly after.

“You’ve created a madman, you know that?” Bastion snorted. “I’m almost glad not to be going with you.”

He took the seat next to me, our knees touching.

“Still, I’m going to miss you,” I said.

“You’ll be too busy to miss me,” Bastion snorted. “I’ll miss you, though. If you take too long, I’ll just leave Jackal in charge and come through after you.”

“Why don’t you just burn the whole place down?” I said, rolling my eyes. “We could probably employ someone here if you wanted to come.”

He gave me a tired smile. “Nah. This place is important to Brick, and after everything he’s done for me… I want to do this for him. I’ll hold the fort until you get back. Do me a favour and take him on a bunch of dates on Earth.”

“Of course,” I laughed. “I’ve already got a whole itinerary planned. We’ll be doing all the foodie tours. He’ll come back home full of inspiration and an even bigger terror than he is now.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Bastion grinned. “Jackal is waiting for you out the back.”

“You don’t want to come?” I asked, bumping my knee against his.

“What I want has very little to do with it, darling. What will happen is you will go say goodbye to Jackal and I’ll get all my final instructions from Brick, and then you’ll say goodbye to me.” He gave me a sidelong look. “I hope you’ll save some energy for me. I can provide snacks if you need to replenish.”

I smacked him on the arm, but he just chuckled.

“It won’t be forever, Bast, I’ll be back before you know it.”

He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, then let out a happy sigh.

“Believe it or not, I quite like this arrangement. It means I never have to worry about you. I’m glad no matter where you go, you’ve got one of us looking out for you.”

I leaned my forehead against his and smiled.

“Yeah, me too.” No matter where I went, I was home.

“Alright,” Bastion said, standing. “I better go get my instructions. I swear I’ve made the whole menu ten times over. Go look after Jackal. He looked like he was about ready to burst into tears before I sent him to wait for you.”

I chewed on my lip. “He’s taking it that hard? Do you think I should take him with me, too?”

Bastion reached his thumb out and pulled my lip free from where my teeth were worrying it.

“He made a mess in the kitchen and Brick chewed him out. He’ll be fine, though. He’s a big boy. He’ll do alright without you for a while. And he’s got me and Bruiser to look out for him. I’ll look after your minotaur just as well as I’ll look after Brick’s bakery.”

I laughed. “Thanks Bastion. I know I can count on you. Just don’t hesitate to send us a message if you need anything.”

“Of course. Now go. I’ll catch up with you when Brick is done with me.”

I gave him a final kiss before he slipped back into the kitchen and made my way to the bedroom at the far end of the hall. I took a leaf out of Lily’s book and had designed the building with plenty of extra rooms so the guys could have their own personal space, especially if they just wanted to have a place to sleep undisturbed – and I had one of my own as well – but the master bedroom was a shared space big enough for everyone to dog pile in if they wanted to.

Despite his large frame, Jackal looked dwarfed in the middle of the bed, where he was hunched over one of the pillows and wearing a blanket like it was a robe.

“Jackal, honey, how are you doing?” I asked, climbing into the bed and pulling the blankets around both of us like a cocoon.

Jackal’s emotions always ran very close to the surface. When he was hot, he was red-hot, and when he was blue it was all encompassing. After living my pre-Newtopian life suppressing and hiding my emotions, I really appreciated the honesty and easy communication I had with Jackal. I never had to second-guess what he was feeling or thinking, and it made our relationship so easy.

“I burned the pies,” Jackal sniffed, hugging me to him like I was a teddy bear.

“Did Brick get a bit grouchy with you?” I asked. He nodded sullenly.

“I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it. He’s really grateful for the effort you put into this place, and I know he’s grateful you’re going to help look after it while we’re away.”

“I’m not good at cooking,” Jackal said.

“You’re still learning,” I comforted him, stroking his hair and pulling him to lie down on the pillow next to me. “Is it the recipe cards?”

He thought for a minute, then nodded.

“Maybe you need to dig out those glasses again,” I said. “Just for when you’re cooking. Or you could leave the cooking to Bastion.”

He hadn’t worn the Adorkable Glasses I’d given him since he’d completed the Animal Husbandry course and made his 4-point Intelligence a permanent deal, but he was still unable to read. He hadn’t shown the inclination to want to further his education, so I hadn’t pushed him to do it, although I’d told him I’d support him in whatever goals he had.

“I’ll try that,” he sniffed.

“Is that all that’s going on with you? Or is there something else?” I asked.

“I don’t want to be apart from you,” he said, holding me close and burrowing his face in my hair.

“You can come visit whenever you want. You just need to let Jenny know and tell Bastion before you come so he can sort out anything he needs to.”

“I made a lot of problems for you last time.”

“A few problems. You helped a lot as well,” I said, stroking his long hair. “You helped me make the move to quit my job and stand up to my family. And your face looks a little different from when we were there last, so even if there was a witness, there wouldn’t be any further threats to your safety. It’ll be okay if you want to come through with me.”

Jackal’s shoulders relaxed, and I knew I’d comforted his anxiety. It was a relief; I didn’t want to leave any of my boyfriends in a less-than-ideal state, especially when I wasn’t sure how long this stint to the other side would take me.

“I’ll send you messages,” he promised. “I should stay here, though. Brick and Bastion need me, and I owe them.”

“For what?”

“They brought you into our lives,” he said, a smile playing about his lips. “Brick was your first. Without them, you never would have been with me long enough to give me a chance. I’m so glad they found you, and I’m so glad you found me.”

With his blue mood dissipated, his gaze turned sultry. His grin widened as his desire rose up and took over all his senses. His minotaur side took over, and he kissed me roughly.

“I’m so glad you found me,” he repeated, kissing me deeper and harder, as he let his natural urges take over.

I clawed at his back as he claimed me as his with an animalistic energy, growling and grunting.

It had taken him weeks of practice, but he’d finally mastered his mermaid shout and had learned to control it in a similar way to how I had mastered my pheromone pores. Now he could let loose in Newtopia the same way he had on Earth and could roar his release without shaking the foundations of the building.

I felt myself shatter for the second time that day as Jackal howled and convulsed through his climax before collapsing on top of me, surrendering himself to exhaustion.

I held him with trembling arms as I recovered, kissing his sweaty brow as he lay next to me.

“I love you Emma,” he said. “I’ll love you until the world explodes.”

“Me too, sweetheart,” I said, my heart fluttering as he snuggled into me. “Me too.”

The door creaked open, and Bastion crept in and sat on the bed on my other side.

“I heard Jackal. Thought you might be finished,” Bastion commented. “Do you need snacks?”

I snorted. “Maybe in a minute. Sit with us a while.”

He stretched his back against the headboard and stroked my hair as I held Jackal.

“You know we’ll look after you, don’t you, Jackal? It won’t be like it used to be, going our different ways after a mission,” Bastion said, looking straight ahead. “We’re in this together now.”

Jackal shifted and sat as well so he could look the wood elf in the eyes.

“We’re family now,” he said simply.

“Yeah,” Bastion agreed, letting out a huff of laughter. “Bit of an odd family, but I suppose that’s not much of a change for me.”

There was a knock on the door and Brick poked his head in. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah,” I answered, and he came to stand at the foot of the bed.

“I just wanted to let you know I’m ready to go when you are. I’ve entered my shopping list into Jenny, and I’ve wrapped up everything here that I need to.”

“Great,” I grinned. “I just need a moment to say goodbye to Bastion.”

“Take as much time as you need,” Brick said. “Jackal, why don’t we go take a dip in the river?”

Jackal nodded and gave me a final hot kiss, cupping my face with his large hands.

“I’ll be back to see you off. Don’t go without me.”

“Of course not,” I breathed.

He nodded to Bastion and left with Brick, grabbing his pants on his way out the door.

“We don’t have to actually have sex,” Bastion said once they left, looking over my naked body which was littered with scratches and love-marks where Jackal and Bruiser had sucked bruises into my skin. “I mean, of course I want it, but you’ve had a lot today. We can just cuddle, if you want.”

I shook my head and took his hand, tugging him into the ensuite with me. “Let me have a shower, then we’ll cuddle.”

He stripped and stepped in with me, barely reacting to the hot jets of water. He took the sponge off the wall, soaked it and had me turn around so he could scrub my back. Bastion loved sex as much as any other guy, but he had a unique appreciation for the quiet domestic moments like this that I’d never expected when we’d first gotten together, but I’d been so accustomed to our rivalry and his distrust of both my body and his own mind.

Since we’d settled into our relationship, I felt perfectly at home with him though, and these moments felt more intimate even than when he was buried inside me moaning my name.

I hummed my Healing Song and the grazes Jackal’s teeth and nails had left on my skin disappeared as well as the bruises on my neck.

Bastion hung the sponge back on its hook and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a hug. Water pooled between our bodies, overflowing and falling to the floor among the splashes from the overhead jets.

“I will miss this more than anything else,” Bastion murmured, kissing me softly. “Even if you come home for the occasional night, I want these moments with you. The showers. The cups of coffee. The in between times. Living with you, rather than just sleeping with you.”

“I know what you mean,” I said, running my fingers through his long, wet hair. It seemed even longer, with all the subtle curls straightened out. “But we’re building a life together, even if I have to travel. And you know I’ll always come back.”

He nodded. “If you didn’t, I’d chase you across every dimension I needed to until I could bring you home.”

I giggled.

“I know you’ll be back, though,” he said, caressing my cheek with a thumb. “I love you.”

He gathered me in his arms, and I felt totally at peace, feeling his heart beating against my chest. “I love you too, Bastion. So much.”

He kissed me again and led me out of the shower. He watched me towel myself dry with a smirk, then followed me into the bedroom. I was about to get into the bed again, but he told me to wait and changed the sheets first.

I sighed in appreciation as we nestled down into the crisp cotton with Bastion wrapped around me. My legs tangled with his and my tail curled around the back of his knee.

“I’m supposed to actually leave tonight, sweetheart,” I laughed, nudging his jaw with my nose. “You’re making it hard to want to go anywhere.”

“Mmm, my evil plan is working then,” he grinned, kissing my cheek.

I captured his mouth with mine, licking the seam of his lips until he let me inside. He kissed me back, and I felt his arousal grow as he tasted me, his hands exploring in time with his tongue.

“Mmmm, Emma…”

“Bastion,” I whispered as he released me. “Make love to me.”

He didn’t need asking twice, plundering my mouth with more enthusiasm and I felt our hearts merge along with our bodies.

He lay with me a long time after, playing with my hair, stroking my skin, and twirling the spear-tip of my tail in his long fingers.

“I really don’t want to go anywhere now,” I laughed breathlessly.

“I’ve gotta say, it does feel kind of good making Brick wait after all those times the two of you left me hanging.”

I pushed his shoulder playfully, and he nipped at my lips.

“You’re terrible,” I giggled.

“I have it on good authority I’m amazing,” he teased me back. “Direct quote.”

“You are,” I said, falling back into a serious mood. “I know I don’t say it nearly often enough, but you are amazing. You mean everything to me, Bastion. I love you so much.”

“You’re amazing.” He stroked the side of my face, looking down at me fondly. “When we started this… I was a little concerned at being left on the sidelines, or that I would have to settle for having only what part of your heart you had left for me, but the capacity your heart has… I’ve never felt like that once, not since the day you rescued me. I feel like I have your heart completely, even as the others do as well.”

“You do,” I said, my eyes tearing up. I’d worried about that as well, but I was glad he felt the full strength of my feelings for him.

“Now, as a supportive boyfriend, I think it’s time I kick you out of bed and wish you well on your next adventure while Jackal and I keep things running at home.”

“Do I have to?” I whined. “I’m so cozy here.”

“Yes, you do. I’m kind of surprised Nightfall hasn’t come and dragged you off to go do your bookwork with him already.”

“Yeah, I suppose I shouldn’t keep him waiting. He’s got a lot of research for me to go over for the next patch, and between that and all the stuff Brick wants to import, we’ll be busy for a while.”

Bastion kissed me again, then picked me up and unceremoniously dumped me on my feet.

“Go already,” he said. “So you can come back sooner.”

“Alright, alright, just let me find my underwear.”

“And remember, lots of dates for Brick. He hasn’t stopped talking about the last one you went on.”

“Yes boss,” I rolled my eyes.

“And bring me back a souvenir.”

“What do you want, a snow globe?” I laughed.

Bastion gave me a charming smile. “I don’t know what that is, but maybe. I just want to know you’re thinking of me.”

“I wouldn’t be able to stop,” I said, pulling my clothes on now I’d found them. They weren’t strictly necessary for a trip through the Nexus, but it meant when I returned, I’d by default be wearing the same thing.

Bastion escorted me out to the living area, where Jackal and Brick were waiting for us. Jackal gave me a bone-crushing hug, and I kissed them both goodbye before stepping onto the Nexus with Brick folding his arms around me.

“Ready darling?”

I looked up into his eyes and held on tight. “Ready.”

Bastion sat at the laptop and typed in the command for Jenny to activate the Nexus. The world swirled around us as I felt our bodies dissolve into pixels and reform on the other side.

Everything shifted and lurched, and I felt Brick’s arms around me solidify as we materialized back on Earth on the Nexus’ twin platform.

“You okay, darling?” Brick asked.

I looked up at him and smiled. This time he’d maintained his orc-elf body, green skin and pointed ears included.

“More than okay,” I said, leaning into him as I caught my breath. Hopping dimensions was tiring work.

“Emma.”

I turned my head to see Nightfall staring at me, and my heart swelled. He’d traversed to Newtopia and back one time only since we had set up our new base. His dark-elf body had been returned to him, and it had been far too long since I’d seen his gorgeous face and his long black hair. I must be grinning at him like an idiot.

“Nightfall. I missed you.”

“And I, you.”

“Good to see you again,” James greeted me from his desk, and I gave him a wave.

I pulled myself upright, feeling the queasiness reducing by the second, and stepped down from the platform. Nightfall took my hands, steadying me as I found my bearings.

“I suppose you’ve got a lot of research for me to look over. Sorry I took longer than I thought in Newtopia. We really wanted to get the bakery going properly.”

“The research can wait,” Nightfall said. “First, it is of utmost importance that I ravish you until you forget which world you inhabit.”

“Seriously?” James complained, sounding fatigued. “Can’t you keep it to the bedroom?”

“An excellent idea,” Nightfall said smugly, sweeping an arm under my legs and carrying me bridal style out the door.

“Have fun!” Brick’s booming laugh followed us down the corridor.