Stars Dancing [Dreams-To-Lovers Romance]

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SLYDAR

I smiled into Rory's hair. We had a lotta good memories from the eclipse chasing tour, but that first morning in Brigten 8 was special. I'd woken just before light, not really sure what time it was, with Rory climbin' all over me. The best way to wake up, in my opinion. In a yurt, the air smelling fresh and earthy, and the woman I loved taking me everywhere I wanted to go.

Something happened though, just before the smiling into hair bit. We hadn't seen it's like in over a decade, and it was when we'd been expecting Switch that it'd happened before. When we broke, there was an endless black.

See nothing.

Hear nothing.

Pitch.

Black.

But not empty. Not expectant or waiting. Just— . . .

Presence.

That's all I know to say. So, we made note of it, then Rory put her nose against my neck, lips slowly puckering against my skin, body languid on top of mine. Just as it should be.

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We could hear the river lapping against its banks and the bludes moving about. Yeah, they were all over, but didn't come near. Obviously didn't mind having people about, but weren't gonna come over and say "hi" either.

Don't wanna get up, Sly.

I bet there's gonna be coffee, babe. I let my fingers trace up her back one more time, then shifted, signaling we'd better get up and join the others. We were supposed to be ready at sunrise because the eclipse of a lifetime started an hour after that, and no one wanted to miss it.

Once we were dressed, we gathered our things and headed to the meeting spot where, sure 'nough, the staff had coffee and pastries waiting for us as well as juice and fruit. Then we gathered in the open field, setting out blankets and taking our seats for the celestial show.

Mostly, we were a quiet bunch that morning, and the sky treated our reverence with dignity. Slowly, the purple moon of Brigten crossed in front of its sun, and when it reached totality, the insects went quiet, and the bludes around us lay down. The light of day was gone, and all around us was dark as though it was dusk not early morning.

With eclipse glasses on, we looked at the sun above, seeing only a halo of light that was otherwise obscured by the purple moon, and I held Rory in front of me as a breeze ruffled her hair.

It wasn't just one breeze, it was several— all layered. Melon. Bitter coffee. Fresh mountain spring water, and a song I thought I knew but wasn't sure I'd ever heard.

Our hearts filled to overflowing, and neither of us tried to stop what spilled outta our eyes and dropped down our cheeks. It was beautiful, and unspeakable, and the tenderness of the moment made me want to gauge out my heart or run and jump in the river. Or just hold my wife and pause in the quiet, recording it in my soul for all eternity.

It lasted only minutes, and I thought that best because too much emotion can drive a man mad, so when that purple moon moved on, I sighed in relief.

Then we enjoyed the rest of that wonderful sphere, going on side trips to see exotic large animals in their natural habitats and roaming about the savannah on two legs, feeling the wind and celebrating lives well lived.

One eclipse down. One more to go.