Stars Dancing [Dreams-To-Lovers Romance]

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EURI

Hover trains were pretty much the same no matter what galaxy you were in, and Portia and I had general seats, our packs stowed above us in the luggage compartments. The train from Athens to Cairo wasn't full, so there were plenty of open seats around us.

We'd bought the on-stream package from Life and Death Tours: Murder on the Orient Express Digital Scavenger Hunt. It'd included a link to a really, really old murder mystery movie we were watching as the train pulled out of the station.

Our pads buzzed with the first clue of the scavenger hunt.

We needed to find at least one other scavenger hunt participant by doing nothing other than making the sound of a quacking duck. I didn't know what a duck was, so we searched for that on stream then laughed at the idea of walking through the train quacking trying to find other sleuths.

The digital train map showed eight red lights, which meant there were only eight people who were in on the hunt like us, but it didn't give us their specific train cars, just that generally, they were present somewhere on the train. If we wanted to make our specific locations known to the other participants, we could opt to turn our individual lights green which would show the others which car we were in.

Shah and I decided to quest things out on the mental plane before we did anything else.

Three seats behind us, we struck gold. There was a grey-haired couple; a man and a woman snickering and working out a song quietly. Thankfully, their thoughts were in English, so we understood them.

No, my English wasn't great, but I knew it well enough to write eight episodes of Eclipse Chasers in it, and I had proofed my dad's Known Cosmos books, so I could understand people's thoughts, even though I had pretty much zero practice at the spoken language.

The couple we'd honed in on were clever, putting together a song so they could walk around the train singing it and not look stupid quacking like ducks. It was a kids' song.

"The duck on the train went quack, quack, quack. Quack, quack, quack. Quack, quack, quack. The duck on the train went quack, quack, quack, all through the town. . . ."

Shah and I cackled. We could team up with other sleuths, for a maximum of four, and if we won by solving the clues the fastest, we'd get a free Life and Death guided tour of the Philae Temple once we got to Egypt.

Shah and I decided that if the couple came over to us, singing their little ducky song up the aisles of the train, we'd partner with them. Their minds were mischievous and fun, and they seemed like a really good time. They noticed us looking around the train and sure enough, about ten minutes later, they came sauntering up the aisle singing, "The duck on the train went quack, quack, quack."

Portia and I joined in, "Quack, quack, quack!" Then I offered them the seats next to us.

They were Bill and Stephania Claxtin from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, whatever that was, and they were tremendous fun. They were happy to speak to us in Universal, so we spent the remainder of the trip to Cairo with Bill and Steph, solving the clues that popped up on our pads. We won the scavenger hunt, and the four of us got free tickets to the Philae Temple Tour in the Nile River.

Once we got to Cairo, we parted ways with our new friends and took a porter to our lodgings— a private villa on the banks of the river with a pool and gorgeous gardens. It felt like home, in a way. Mostly because it was the first time in months that we were in a desert, and the air was comfortably dry, not damp and humid like all the places we'd been so far. I loved it. The days were hot and dry and the nights cool, just like they should be.

You're so happy, Euri. You miss the desert? I didn't know.

I don't think I realized until we got here. It feels good, and there's all that open space out there. I can feel the wind licking at the sand dunes, playing with the night creatures. Oh, wait— there's no Komodo dragons in Egypt, right? Hold on. . .

I looked at the file Ronnie had sent me on lizards of earth. Damn! There was a nile monitor that was man-sized and slightly venomous. Well maybe we'd stay away from the river. . . Actually, they were a little scary, but kinda gorgeous in a way.

You really scared of lizards, Euri? Shah giggled at me.

Would you wanna go swimming in the pool then find one of those things staring at your naked backside? I caught an image flickering through Portia's mind of me naked in the pool. Sounded good to me.

I stripped down and ran outside, Shah laughing behind me. We cannonballed into the pool, and thankfully the water was still bath warm, though the night air was chill.

Umm, she felt so good. So soft and so full of life and sparkle. And wild underneath. So wild and so ready for me.

Euri!

I know, baby. Um. So good. Ungh. If you keep touching me like that I'll never make it through this.

You can hang on, Euri, I know you can. Do it for me. Just 'cuz I like it. You get me so hot when you do that.

I groaned and pushed my cock into her hand. I wanted more, though, it had been awhile. Not a problem. Her sandwich and breasts pushed against my right side, Shah gripped me with one hand then stroked down my ass with the other.

Oh Shay, oh, Shay, oh Shay. Please, baby. Please.

Shhh. Euri. I know what you want. I know what you need. Just let go for me, baby. Take us there. I'll be with you. Um. You feel so good. You want it so bad, don't you baby?

Her finger slid in and coaxed up, me relaxing to open then clenching in ecstasy. I lost all sense of place and time. There was only Shay's finger and hand and nothing else.

We ripped open, and the wind lifted my hair. I remembered my right arm was around the woman I loved as we landed along a river bank, our feet in wet mud. There was no one there, just tall reedy grasses swaying in the breeze.

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Everything was on fire. Pleasure, rapture, fire. Shah was wrapped around me, and we stood entangled, gasping for breath, and the breeze surrounded us.

I blinked. We were still in the pool. "Shah?"

Her chest heaved. I wrapped both my arms around her as she smiled against my chest.

It was worth risking the poisonous lizards, she laughed into my mind.

I held her, and we wrapped ourselves further around each other in the warm water, evening breeze gentle on our skin and hair.

I love you so much, Portia.

I love you too, Euri. Whaddaya think Ronnie's up to?

"Hah!" I barked aloud. I bet they're up to no good. You think they'll ever tell us their story? Will we ever know the truth?

I dunno. I'm still gobsmacked that my twin has a girlfriend, and I knew nothing about it. I mean, that's so unfair! He knew the whole time I was pining over you. But I have no idea, no idea how long things have been going on with Cyn. Did they meet on stream, you think? Or just on the mental plane?

I shook my head. I doubt it was on stream. Ronnie's got that whole kaleidoscope thing going on in his brain—

Kaleidoscope?

Yeah, if I get too close to his brain, it looks like a kaleidoscope, and it boots me out. My brain can't handle it.

Oh, weird. For me, it just makes me nauseated. You think that helped him find someone else like him?

I shrugged. Dunno. But he can filter through so much data at once. So, it would make sense that if he can find two girls in bed together filming themselves, then couldn't he find another mind like his? Or many? How many are there? Have you ever tried to find other telepaths— on purpose?

WHAT?! No way, Euri! Why would I do that? Have you?

I shook my head. No. Never really wanted to. But Ronnie doesn't think like we do, Shay.

She nodded. You wanna try it, Euri? Try questing out? See if we can find more? Like Muller and Cyn?

Wry grin. Maybe not when we're naked in the pool. Might sent the wrong message.

She laughed and moved against me. Yeah, it was time to go again, and this time, she needed me. I kissed her. Hard. And pushed her towards the wall, then turned her around.

Oh clouds, Euri, don't stop. Please.

Hold onto the wall, baby, 'cuz, I'm not gonna stop, Shay. You said once that I'm so good in bed you wanted to scream my name just for the fun of it. So, come on baby, don't let me down. Tell those fucking lizards who's the best lay on the Nile.

I stroked her into a fury, hands on nipples then further down before I finally spread her and sank into her. She screamed my name, just like I'd promised. And everyone on that river knew just how powerful of a wind had blown across the desert.

We ordered a late night dinner delivered, and it was amazing. The food reminded me of home: lots of veggie options, but instead of flatbread, it was pitas with various dips to scoop up. Salads and sandwiches in pita. And the best desserts of flaky pastries, just like home. I fell in love with Egypt in a heartbeat.

After dinner, we cuddled on the couch and sent our minds questing. I picked up the evening breeze in an instant, and Shah rode it with me, out over the river, past the towering pyramids, across the desert expanse and further.

I focused on minds, not sights, blocking out the nighttime creatures, the cats, and the mice. There were millions of minds, some awake, some not. I pushed past, stretched further. How would I know if someone was aware? How would I recognize a mind like mine?

Portia took the lead. She focused on finding something that felt like Ronnie, not simple— complex. She searched for minds that felt uncomfortable. That reminded me of Muller. His mental scent had been sort of like coffee, but pungent.

Shah laughed at me. A skunk?

What's a skunk? I asked, confused.

I cute little critter with a really foul side effect, she laughed. Don't ever go near one, Euri!

She returned to looking for uncomfortable minds. There was something, far, far away. To Shah's mind, it was like a bruise. She paused and waited just beyond it.

It gave off a feeling of curiosity.

We repeated that feeling back, but stayed just out of reach.

It moved a little closer to us. We gave it a warm glow.

It relaxed and grew softer, more peach in our minds' eyes.

We turned teal blue-green. It came closer. We moved closer towards the mind.

Halloo, it said, distinctly masculine.

Hi, we replied.

What are you doing? Questing?

Uhmm hmm. We've never tried this.

Well, welcome. Wanna share where you are? I'm in Maglen Galaxy.

Milky Way, but this isn't our home.

Hmm?

We're from Andromeda.

Head nodding. Not the first Andromedans. Must be a lot of us there.

Wait, you've met others?

Sure. One who's off the charts.

RONNIE?

Ronnie? Dunno. Is that his name— WAIT! Do you KNOW HIM?

Laughter, laughter, laughter!

If it's the same guy, it's my twin!

TWIN!? You've had THAT in your mind your whole life? How do you stand it!?

Laughter, laughter, laughter.

He has to block it off from us, from me. Oh, can you tell there's two of us? My boyfriend's here.

Nodding.

Yeah. Does he say anything?

Hey, I'm Euri.

Euri?

Yeah, means "wind." We found you by following the breeze.

Hunh.

You got other telepathic friends, Maglen? I asked.

Wry feeling.

Name's Slick, and I only know the ones I've met like this. No one in real life. You two sure are lucky to have each other.

My last attempt at match making was an utter flop, Portia said, but maybe we can help you connect to more people? You into guys? We met a cutie in the Cavern of Lights. . . .

Curiosity.

Show me?

Eagerness.

What was this? The dating app for telepaths? Just dial up Shah on the mental plane, and she'll hook you right into someone else's mind? Muller hadn't seemed interested in knowing other Talented people. . .

Euri! Help me! Use the wind! We gotta do something good with these Talents. I mean, I always agreed with Muller— that we should all hide! But why can't Muller and Slick just talk mentally? That's not dangerous!

I turned my attention away from Slick and Portia and focused on the breeze again. I remembered the Cavern of Lights, and it was only two seconds before the skunk mind was there. I stood outside it, but sort of knocked politely.

There was a really long pause, then a feeling of annoyance. I just kept standing there. I didn't push, but I didn't go away either.

It's you again. The windy one. Thought I smelled something foul on the breeze.

The words were rude, but the feeling behind them was amused. You're far away, Euridyne. Whatcha doin'?

Thanks for picking up, Muller. Shah and I are trying something. We both always thought it was best to stay away from other people like us, but well, Ronnie found a girlfriend—

HAH! What! The no-talker hooked up?

Cackling. Had to find another telepath, didn't he? Oh, do tell, this is entertaining.

Eye roll from me.

You know how he is. We still don't know anything. He dragged us all the way to Earth— in Milky Way— then disappeared with this pretty little wisp of a girl who said absolutely nothing. She's even quieter than Ronnie!

Cackling.

Hey, we found a telepath from Maglen. Will you talk to him? If we can connect you?

What the hell? What is this, a party on the mental plane? Hunh. Guess I'm not the only insomniac. Okay. I'll go for it. I'm sick of gaming anyway.

I mentally elbowed Shah, and she widened things out. I focused on hanging onto Muller and opening to Shah. Then all four of us were connected.

I sense someone new. Someone really strong, sent Slick.

Yeah, I just got a bruise to the brain. Tone that down, man. Who are you, anyway?

Me? You stink to high heaven. That's like an assault, acrid personality!

Shah and I laughed. You're both pretty fucking pungent, I scolded them. Muller of Slourend Four, Andromeda Galaxy, meet Slick from Maglen.

Hey man, my home sphere's called Dliptonia. You work in a cave, Muller?

Nodding. Tour guide for the fantastic. Sights like nothing else. . . blah, blah, blah. What's Dliptonia like?

Why don't you come find out?

Sparks. Zing.

Holy hells. Portia and I were both suddenly on fire, and we weren't the cause, we were just caught in the backdraft.

Long, long pause.

I'll be there in two weeks.

Everything went dark. Our eyes popped open, and Shah looked at me with giant eyes. "Euri! I don't suck as a matchmaker!!! Oh fucking clouds, did that actually work? Did I just get those two guys together?!"

"You did, baby! Or, we did! Hey! Look at us, using our Talents for good! Hah! That was so awesome! I think we need to celebrate. Sands knows I'm not gonna fall asleep now!"

She lunged for me, and we pounded into each other, on fire and happy and both of us feeling like we knew what we were meant to do. We would use our magic powers to help other telepaths find each other. No one else had to be alone. Not with us trying to help.

Now our lives made sense. Finally.