Stars Dancing [Dreams-To-Lovers Romance]

RORY

Sleep didn't last long because a ferocious wind sent leaves and sticks clattering against the giant windows of our chalet, and it was such a clatter that I instinctively reached for Uncle Euri. In an instant, he had the wind calmed, and I tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't relax.

So, Sly and I got up and made chamomile tea, taking it out to the front porch where we enjoyed the sounds of night insects and sloshing water along the riverbank.

I can't be too sad about Nanna's kitchen after this trip, Slydar started.

Nodding from me. Yeah. I'm sorry it had to happen, but I wouldn't trade this trip for the world. Whaddaya think is goin' on with all this wind, Slydar? Is it your dad?

Head shaking. Don't think so, doesn't have his acrid scent to it. If anything, it's fruity. He chuckled 'cuz a the bevvies we'd had earlier which had been fruity in all the wrong ways.

I nodded. Yeah, it wasn't quite costamelon like Ryst tonight, but it wasn't not like her either. I shook my head, confused. There's something about it, though, don't you think? Or, should we just ignore it?

Let's ask Euri; he's the expert on winds, right?

So, we opened our minds, and Euri and Shah were right there.

Hey guys! my Aunt Shah's mind was bright and welcoming, despite the late hour. Good news: the house repairs are all finished, and Nanna's kitchen is back in shape. We can stay as long as you'd like—

I cut her off. We only have two days left, then we'll be back on an airship. Want us to meet you at the house?

Euri butt in, I think it's easier if we all meet at the Transfer Station, if that sounds okay. Mental nod from me and Sly. And Rory, I can tell you're thinking about the wind.

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I felt his mind, or rather, his senses stretch out. Not just towards me and Sly, but for that other thing that Euri could do that was beyond me. It was a joy to experience it with him; his mind coasting along the breeze, sifting across animal minds, flowing past flowering shrubs, and ruffling tree leaves.

I felt my Uncle's smile as he took us on a sensory tour of the night air, but we didn't pick up anything else.

Do you think Ryst tries to tell us things in the winds, Uncle?

Head shaking in consternation. I've never really known for sure, Rory. You know my dad's songs as well as I do, and I've always felt that there's meaning in them. But, that's different from knowing exactly what they mean, he said wryly.

So, yeah, I agree that the winds are significant, but that doesn't mean that I fully understand them. Sometimes, all we can do is watch and wait, and the answer eventually presents itself. I see you're having a great trip.

The best, Uncle Euri! The best! I love everything about this trip, and I wish I could bottle that up and take it back to Five Spheres with me.

Pensive. Probing from my Aunt Shah, and a sparkly idea from her.

Well, my dad does love cool architecture, and I'd enjoy a cozy chalet like that to visit in Five Spheres. I'll get Ronnie to draft some ideas, and tell dad he doesn't have a choice. He's gonna make us an awesome chalet that we can take turns visiting. Then you can go have a vacay whenever you want, and even though it's cold, it will still feel like getting away.

And suddenly, I felt like I understood. I couldn't say for sure that it was Ryst waking us up with the high winds, but the convergence of everything was pointing to something trying to help me adjust to life away from the desert, and if anyone could help me with that, it'd probably be my dreamy great Aunt in the Unknown Cosmos.

Uncle Euri and Aunt Shah followed my thoughts and sent me mental hugs then signed off saying they'd see us in two days at the Transfer Station.

Setting his empty mug on the table, Slydar pulled me into his lap. The evening was cool enough for a sweatshirt, but it was comfortable on the porch, and even better with him curled around me.

Can it really be this good, Sly? Can life really be like this? Fish over a cook fire? Drinks with friends? Crazy winds that my Uncle can calm and comforting mugs of tea? Messages from another world that trigger us to build cabins out of dreams?

Well, this is the moment we're having right now, and you promised me back before Muller died that you were in it with me. In the times it feels good to be alive, and in all the others too. So, I say we take it. Let's take this moment and hang onto it. Just because we have it, and it's ours.

I love you, Sly.

You know I love you back, baby.