Unwilling to start packing, Mira opted to wander aimlessly around town, drifting through the crowd of shoppers as she idly perused the various shops and stalls in the market. The logical choice would be to stock up on food and necessities with her limited munny before she left, but that could wait. She had a week before eviction, after all.

Something bright red caught her eye, and she pushed against the throng toward the small white creature's shop. A moogle, if she recalled correctly. She'd only seen one in a photo before, never in person. It was bigger than she expected, but that only made it more huggable. Her finger twitched.

"Don't even think about ruffling my pom-pom, kupo!"

Mira blinked, glancing around; she was the only customer. "Are you talking to me?"

"You see anyone else here?"

She crossed her arms. "I wasn't gonna touch your... pom-pom."

"Oh." The fuzzy creature brightened. "How can I help you, then? Have you come to buy something?"

"What do you sell here?"

"Synthesis materials! I can also synthesize items if you have a recipe and the materials."

Synthesis? Like... alchemy? That sounded promising... "What kinds of things?"

"Potions, elixirs, ethers, and weapon upgrades are my most common requests."

Mira chewed her lip, glancing at the cute creature before turning her gaze on a few crystals in a glass box. "Is that all it can do?"

"What, that's not good enough for you?"

So touchy. "Not what I meant. I was just wondering what the limits are to what you can make."

"That depends on what you've got to work with. What did you have in mind?"

She leaned in close. "A vessel. One specifically designed to hold the heart of a person when they've lost their body." It was a longshot, but considering Norty's instability, she needed to exhaust every avenue with her other mission.

Its pom-pom drooped. "That's... I've never gotten a request like that before."

Unsurprising. Most people only needed the body they were born in. "Can you do it?"

"It's just something to hold a person's... heart? Like a box?"

Mira shook her head. "No, more like an artificial body-"

"Oh. You're one of those."

Her face flamed. "It's not what you think, you little perv!"

"Uh-huh. Sure."

"I'll touch your pom-pom if you don't quit," she hissed.

"Okay-okay! So an artificial body to hold a heart. You want me to make a person."

"Basically, yeah. An empty person-"

"Do you realize how creepy that sounds? Do I need to call the guards?"

"I'd rather you didn't. Look, whatever you're thinking, it's probably wrong."

"Then you'd better explain it, kupo! Why do you need something like this?"

"To help someone I care about. During battle, his heart was forcibly separated from his body and took refuge within someone else." Sort of. "I want to bring him back..."

The moogle sighed. "I'm... I'm not normally supposed to give information like this to the average customer, but I've seen you around before. You're a keyblade wielder, aren't you?" Mira dipped her chin. "I thought so-"

"If you knew, then why have you been giving me the runaround?"

"Do you want the info or not?"

She rolled her eyes. "Please, continue."

"As I was saying, there might be an ingredient we could try for your request – but I have to warn you, it's very rare, to the point that many go their whole lives without ever seeing one, kupo. And even if you found one, there's no guarantees it'll work-"

"I get it, it'll be difficult. What's the ingredient?"

The moogle leaned in, whispering, "An orichalcum+. It's the rarest, purest form of in the orichalcum crystal family. According to legend, it was used to upgrade the strongest keyblades and it's supposed to have a great number of other magical properties. My guess is that your best bet of making this 'vessel' is with one of those."

The glimmer of hope in her heart dimmed almost immediately. "I take it you have no idea where to start looking?"

The moogle shrugged. "Nope! It's said they're kind of shaped like stars, but most of them were lost a long time ago. But if you ever did get your hands on one, you should bring it by, and we can work on a recipe."

"Yeah. Thanks for your time. I'll see you around." It was a shot in the dark; an impossible ingredient for an impossible vessel.

After leaving the moogle's shop, Mira picked up where she left off on wandering through the town square. The weather was nice enough that ice cream might've been nice but having no one to share it with diminished the appeal. Mira paused as she caught sight of the inn; she'd never had a chance to talk to Gast before the experiment, and now that so long had passed...

Her feet carried her over the threshold, into the quiet establishment. No one was manning the counter, so she took a seat at the bar, drumming her fingertips on the polished surface. The inn was surprisingly deserted for this time of day-

"Mira, is that you?" came Gast's shocked exclamation from behind the counter.

She offered a smile and a wave. "Hey Gast, how's business?"

"How's business... You're back," he gasped, taking a seat on the other side of the counter, still staring at her in disbelief. "The boys thought you'd never wake up..."

"Yeah, I didn't realize my... condition was a big secret. I didn't mean to worry anyone-"

"Well, ya did. What happened?"

"You know Xehanort? White-ish hair, tan, can't remember his past, huge jerk?" Gast nodded, with a distasteful grimace. "I was trying to help him remember his past, but something went wrong and-"

"And you fell into a coma," he finished, running a weathered hand over his face. "Did he hurt you?"

Her should ached from his assault on her that morning. "No."

Gast sighed, shoulders relaxing. "Good - he's bad news. Have you seen the boys yet? They were worried sick – we all were." The haunted look in his eye gave her pause. The boys had said it was like she'd gone missing, that no one from the castle told them about what happened to her until after they'd been brought into the fold. What purpose did keeping it a secret serve?

"I ran into them earlier today. They..." she rubbed the back of her neck, "they look weird in the uniform."

"I'll say. You should've seen then strutting around town their first day; I think they went to every store and restaurant they could just to show off."

Mira grinned. "I'm not surprised. What else is new? How's Aerith?"

There was a warm ache in her heart at the fatherly look in his eye. "She's doing good, growin' up fast - too fast, if you ask me. Gets a little mad that I won't her go out anymore, but with things the way they are..."

"What do you mean? What's going on?"

Gesturing for her to lean closer, Gast murmured, "People have been going missing – not the kind of people that'd up and leave their families either. No one knows where they've gone or what happened to them. No bodies have turned up either."

A chill ran down her spine. "People don't disappear without a trace though..."

His head bobbed. "It makes no sense, but people just stopped comin' home or going around town. We thought that's what happened to you, actually-"

"We?"

"The boys and me."

Her mouth popped open. "That's... does the king know what's going on? Shouldn't the guards be doing something about this?"

"You'd think," he muttered. "But they've been holed up for months doing who-knows-what. The only ones I've seen around are the boys, if you count them. But you and Braig are close, right? Can you ask him if he knows anything?"

"We're..." Her cheeks flamed and she covered her face when he turned that fatherly gaze on her. "Yeah, I'll ask him."

"I know he's sweet on you - did he finally get his act together and make a move?"

"You could say that," Mira mumbled. "We haven't exactly put a label on it, but we're... together."

"Ah, young love. Take care of each other; these are strange times we're living in right now. Always best to keep our loved ones close."

How long would she be able to do that though with Ansem kicking her out? "I wish. My stay in the castle is coming to an end and I'll have to move on from here by week's end."

"The end of the week?" His face took on a purple hue. "But you just woke up – how could he-"

"He thinks he's doing what's best for me by sending me away; says it's not safe here, but he's treating me like a child. I don't need to be taken care of."

"With everything that's been going on, leaving isn't a bad idea. But kicking you out... Listen, if you need a place to stay, you come here, ya hear?" She nodded and Gast cleared his throat. "Anyway, how about a bite to eat?"

Her stomach grumbled in response.

After polishing off the sandwich Gast had provided her, Mira pushed some munny across the counter only for him to shake his head. "It's on the house today. Call it a 'welcome back-going away' lunch or what-have-you."

A frown tugged at her lips at the lack of other customers. "If you're sure..." When he showed no sign of changing his mind, Mira tucked the munny back in her pouch and stood up to leave. "Guess I should get going."

"I know you don't need me telling you what to do, but try not to stay out after dark, okay? It really isn't safe anymore..."

"I won't," she promised. "I'll visit again soon."

"Make sure you do."

Waving goodbye, Mira stepped outside, squinting in the afternoon light. Summer clung to the air, and she tugged on her collar, pulling the fabric away from her neck. There was still a while before sundown but perhaps it was better to return to the castle. At least it had air conditioning. Following the path back to the castle, Mira passed by the moogle shop again, almost tripping as a thought popped into her head. There had to be something in Ansem's vast library about the orichalcum+.

The library was unoccupied when Mira peered through the doors, and she hurried to the science section, sliding her fingers over the titles, skipping over standard subjects in favor of anything related to crystals or synthesis. Alchemy. Magic. But everything within reach was rudimentary knowledge or entirely irrelevant. Either these crystals were a fiction, or they were so long gone that any literature about them was also lost. Disappointing, but what else did she expect? Wearily, Mira grabbed one of the ladders to peruse higher shelves, giving them the same treatment, hardly noticing as the hours slipped by. Better to be thorough than overlook something vital-

"So, this is where you've been all day."

She jerked, and her heart leapt into her throat as she scrambled for purchase, grasping the bookshelf in a white-knuckled grip. Thank goodness the shelves were anchored into the floor, or that could have been a disaster. Mira let out a shaky exhale and glared down at the sharpshooter, hissing, "Don't do that!"

One of his brows rose, unimpressed. "What, ask you a question?"

"No, sneak up on me! How long have you been lurking there?" she snapped, climbing down the ladder and crossing her arms.

"Lurking? As if. I only got here a few minutes ago, but I've been looking for you. The runts finished their duties for today which freed up my time," he closed the distance between them, wrapping her in his arms, "to see you." Tension dropped from her shoulders, and she breathed deeply of his scent. He kissed the top of her head. "I thought you wanted fresh air, what's got you cooped up in the library?"

"I went to town earlier but there was something I needed to look into."

"And that is?"

Mira peered up at him, half grinning. "So nosy."

"Thought I was 'embarrassing.'"

"That too. I can't believe you kissed me in front of Lea and Isa." She shook her head with a huff.

"How could I resist?" he murmured, pressing his lips to hers. "Now, are you gonna tell me what you're looking for, or do I have to beg?"

"Tempting," she teased. But her easy smile slipped, and she sighed. "But I probably do need your help. I'm looking for any information on the orichalcum+. It's a-"

"Synthesis material, I've heard of it." He furrowed his brow. "I've also heard you can't find them these days. Why the sudden interest?"

Mira bit her lip and averted her eyes. "They're rumored to be really powerful. I might be able to synthesize an artificial vessel with it. At least," she rubbed her arm, "that's what the moogle said."

"You can't save everyone, Princess," he said softly.

She glared up at him. "It's not about that. My master said he'd consider using artificial vessels if I could produce results, so I have to try. Even one is better than nothing."

Braig sighed. "Alright. But you should at least take a break-" He tensed, gripping her hand and yanking her into the nearest reading nook, just as the main library door opened. He shut the door, shrouding them in darkness, leaving only a thin gap scarcely large enough to see through.

"What's wrong?" she whispered.

He pressed a finger to her lips. "Listen."

A steady thump of heavy footsteps reached the stairs, and she held her breath as they approached. She glanced up at Braig; even in the limited light, his mien was unmistakably serious. Furrowing her brow, Mira peered through the gap, hardly daring to breathe. Xehanort stepped into view, and she scowled.

Braig leaned in close, whispering, "He comes here most days at about this time, but he only stays when no one else is around." She shuddered at the sensation of his breath over the shell of her ear. "And sometimes, he talks to himself."

"Then you didn't come looking for me," she breathed. "You were waiting for him."

He shrugged behind her. "Yes and no. I didn't want you to be alone with him again." She sent him a questioning gaze and he added, "The runts said he cornered you."

"I'm fine."

He hummed and fell silent. Xehanort perused the books she'd left out on the table, occasionally picking one up and flipping through the pages. Mira resisted the urge to drum her fingers on the doorframe. Closing the book with a snap, the amnesiac stuck his hand out forming a dark corridor in front of him. Mira gasped. Since when-?

Xehanort turned, eyes darting here and there furiously. "Who's there?"

Braig whirled her around, pulling her flush against his body as he caged her against the wall. He threaded his fingers through her hair and pressed his face into her neck. Grabbing her thigh, he wrapped it around his waist and settled into the cradle of her hips. Heat pooled in her belly, a whimper escaping her lips. What was he-?

The door slammed open, and Mira tilted her head back in time to witness embarrassment and disdain warring for dominance on the amnesiac's face. "You're doing this here?" he hissed.

"You can go any time," the sharpshooter taunted, tickling her skin. "Kinda busy here." He was making it sound like-!

Mira shoved at Braig, cheeks burning with shame and arousal, but he was too heavy. "It's not what it-" The return of darkness and Xehanort's retreating footsteps were answer enough, and her soul vacated her body. Braig sighed against her neck, and she shivered.

"What the fuck was that?" she breathed, hating how weak it sounded to her ears.

"Sorry," he muttered. "I didn't want him to catch us eavesdropping."

"And this is all you came up with?"

His chuckle reverberated through his chest. "Why else would two people hide alone in a dark room together?" Heat creeped up her neck at the implication and his grip on her thigh tightened.

"You are so embarrassing," she mumbled, dropping her cheek onto his shoulder.

"So I've been told," he murmured, brushing his lips over her pulse.

"S-stop," she gasped. "He's probably still out there."

"Alright-alright," he laughed, pulling away and opening the door, allowing light to spill in once more. "Sorry Princess, I couldn't help myself."

His boyish grin turned her insides to mush, but she forced a frown. "You wouldn't be laughing if you knew what I knew."

"Oh?"

"My master knows about us."

"The old coot? You told him?"

She shook her head, stepping out of the room and busying herself with gathering up the books she'd left out, returning them to their proper places. "Hell no. But even though he's not in control, he's not completely ignorant either."

"So then back there..."

"Yeah," she said dryly, placing the last book on the shelf. "You made it look like we were being intimate in a study room, and now he's gonna think-"

Braig snorted. "What? That two adults are gettin' it on?"

Mira poked her finger into his chest, hissing, "No! Well, yeah, but I meant he's gonna think I'm fooling around instead of following his instructions. I'm already months behind and-"

He caught her hand and there was a brief sensation of weightlessness. She blinked and they were alone in his room. "You worry too much, Mira. You haven't been awake a day and you've got a lead for synthesizing alternative vessels. If you ask me, you're making great progress."

"Yeah, but to do that, I need crystals that no one's seen in ages! What if I never find even one? Let alone thirteen?" She pressed her hands to her eyes, exhaling shakily. It was a shot in the dark, and if she failed... "But it's not just that – Ansem's kicking me out in a week."

His brows rose. "He found out-?"

"No." Mira shook her head. "He started spouting some bullshit about how he failed me and because Master Eraqus is-" she swallowed the guilt, "dead, I need to train under Mickey's master." She let out another heavy exhale. The prospect of being separated not only from her master, but Braig as well made her heart ache acutely. "I have no intention of leaving, but I don't know where else to go instead. Gast offered to let me stay at the inn but if I'm not permitted back in the castle, I don't see the point and I may as well just go home." Both options felt like a step backwards. "But-"

"Hey, you don't have to decide right now; you have time."

"Hardly. I wasted so much of it sleeping-!"

"That was outside your control. Talking like this isn't helping anyone. Listen," he placed his hands on her shoulders, "you need to look at all your options with a clear head. Did you sleep last night?"

"...No. I was anxious about talking to Ansem."

"Hm. Then you need to get some rest tonight. But if you still can't sleep, I have a few ideas on how to tire you out," he said, wiggling his brows.

Her face warmed. "Oh yeah? Then maybe I should stay here tonight so you can show me."

"Uh," Braig's eye widened fractionally, and he dropped his teasing tone, "yeah, but only if you're sure."

This probably wasn't what Gast meant when he said she ought to keep her loved ones close, but it was the best she could do under the circumstances. There was only so much time left, it seemed. And if she was being honest with herself, she wanted him. "I am."

Mira changed out of her day clothes into her pajamas – an oversized pink t-shirt and her panties. She didn't have anything fancy to wear but he probably wouldn't care that it was plain. She peeked out her door, ensuring the coast was clear, and dashed back to his room.

He stood next to his bed facing away from her when she stepped inside, and she marveled at his toned back as he pulled off his undershirt. He'd changed out of his uniform into a pair of black pajama pants, leaving his torso bare. Mira bit her lip, allowing her eyes to wander, openly drinking in the sight of his sculpted muscles.

"Enjoying the sh-" he turned around, eye widening as he did a double-take at her attire, "oh." A hint of pink burned at his ears.

Eyes glued to the floor, she traversed further into the room, careful not to trip over anything in the dim light, hyper aware of his gaze on her. Only after taking a seat on his bed, legs tucked under her, did she glance up at him, cheeks burning when she met his heated gaze. "You don't drool in your sleep too, do you?"

"As if," he murmured, looking her up and down and placing his arms on either side of her. His pupil was blown wide, and a flush adorned his cheeks. "But who could blame me if I did?"

She slid a hand over his pectorals, down the taught muscles of his abdomen. "You're not so bad yourself."

Braig hummed, a low rumbling from his chest. The sound shot through her like electricity. He leaned down, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. It was like something out of a fantasy, this desperation, the passion. His hand was hot against her waist, and he pressed his face into her neck, trailing butterfly kisses down to her clavicle. Braig nibbled at the juncture between her neck and shoulder, driving away all rational thought, and Mira tangled her fingers in his hair, letting out a soft moan.

"Do that again," he said, voice was husky and deep, and a tingle shot through her.

"Make me," she gasped, scooting further onto the bed and reclining on his pillow, Braig not far behind. Her heart was running a mile a minute, but she couldn't find it in herself to be nervous even as he settled between her legs. There was only anticipation and desire.

"With pleasure," was his gravelly reply before he pushed up her shirt, leaving open-mouthed kisses on every inch of skin revealed. Every motion was slow, as if he wanted to take his time and savor the moment. His careful attention touched something she couldn't name deep within her; every caress bringing it closer to the surface. She craved his affection, his smiles, his touch. When he divested her of her shirt, Mira could hardly muster any bashfulness under his hungry gaze. And when his mouth closed around a nipple, tongue swirling over the pebbled flesh, she gasped at the overwhelming electricity in her veins.

"I-ahh, I want to touch you," she breathed, pushing against his shoulder. He surrendered easily, allowing her to guide him onto his back as she settled atop his hips, gasping when his arousal pressed against her center. Mira ground against him, earning a deep moan.

"You're so beautiful," he sighed, brushing his knuckles over her cheek, tender as she'd ever seen him.

Mira buried her face in his neck, languidly kissing up the column of his throat, and Braig tilted his head, allowing her easier access. If anyone was beautiful, it was him, scars and all. She nibbled on his earlobe, and he shuddered. Braig was normally so put together, but with every move she made, every kiss, every bite, a little more of that composure slipped away.

"Mira…" He guided her mouth back to his, taking her breath away. "I want you," he said between kisses.

"Then have me," she whispered, shivering as he grabbed her butt, his touch rougher than before. It was intoxicating. Something she could easily get addicted to.

He reversed their positions, looming above her, and reached down, tugging her panties off and her breath hitched. His fingers brushed between her legs, gently stroking her entrance, and Mira bit back a gasp at the sensation. Braig pressed a kiss to her shoulder. She squeezed her eyes shut as he pushed a finger into her wet heat.

He kissed her forehead. "Doing okay?"

"Y-yeah-mmm!" His lips closed around one of her nipples. The combined sensations turned her to putty in his hands, and soon he added another finger, stretching her further. It occurred to her that his knowledge of how to please her so easily came from previous experience, but Mira couldn't find it within herself to be bothered. Especially not as he expertly brushed his thumb over that small bundle of nerves, drawing another whine from her. Braig kissed up her breast, scraping his teeth over her neck, working his thumb faster all the while.

"Braig, ah, I'm-!" Mira tensed, rolling her hips as she rode out the overflow of sensation. As the pleasure faded, her body relaxed and the tension she hadn't realized she'd been carrying ebbed from her muscles. She exhaled, meeting Braig's pleased gaze. Her face flamed, and it took a herculean effort not to cover herself. "What?"

He shook his head, bringing her hand to his lips. "Nothing, just enjoying the view."

"I think you've enjoyed long enough," she mumbled.

"Aww, don't be like that. You look so cute after you cum-"

Mira cut him off with an aggressive kiss. "If you know what's good for you, you'll be quiet."

He grinned. "What's in it for me?"

She ran her fingers down his abdomen, reaching for his waistband and biting her lip as the butterflies in her stomach took flight. "I think you know." Incrementally, she pulled down his pajama pants until the evidence of his desire was revealed.

"Maybe," he kissed her, "I want to hear you say it." She pushed him onto his back, pulling his pants off the rest of the way, and perching atop his waist, hands planted on his chest. Mira ground her hips against his and a shiver ran through her as his length brushed against her. Braig let out a choked, "Fuck."

"That's the plan-"

He interrupted her with a kiss. "Is that what you want?" he whispered hotly against her ear, his erection pressed firmly against her entrance. "You want me to fuck you?" He pinched one of her rosy peaks, drawing a gasp from her.

"Y-yes."

Braig shuddered and reached into the drawer of his bedside table, grabbing a foil square. Mira shifted to allow him to roll the condom over his length, her breaths coming out unevenly. There was no going back after this. Then again, she'd been lost since he kissed her that night in El Dorado.

He positioned himself at her entrance. "Ready?"

"Yeah," she breathed, sighing as he slid into her, filling her up mind, body, and heart. The stretch burned briefly, and she leaned against him while he trailed butterfly kisses over her shoulder. At that moment, nothing else mattered – not his secrets, nor her numbered days in Radiant Garden, nothing. It was only the two of them, heart to heart, skin on skin.

"Fuck me, Braig," she whispered, languidly kissing his neck as the discomfort dissipated. He let out a shaky breath, pupil blown wide.

Braig started slowly at first, rocking into her steadily, the slap of skin and their ragged breaths filling the room. Mira wrapped her legs around him, inhaling sharply at the deeper penetration.

"You okay?" he asked, slowing his pace. Mira pulled him in for a kiss.

"Yeah, can we, uh," heat crawled up her neck, "change positions?"

"Anything you want," he murmured, pulling back and sitting against the headboard.

She straddled his lap, moaning as he slipped into her again. His lips found her breasts, and he cupped the other, massaging gently. The combined sensation of his tongue tracing her nipple and the new position left her hot and panting, and soon she was glistening with a faint sheen of sweat. Even the sound of the bed rocking only served to heighten her pleasure, and Mira increased her pace, breaths coming in short pants. She buried her fingers in his hair, drawing closer, sighing when her sensitive breasts rubbed against his chest. Every nerve was aflame with desire, fraught with need. But it wasn't enough.

"Ahh, more – harder!" she cried. Braig gripped her hips, groaning and pumping into her with abandon, and Mira reached down, rubbing her swollen bud, chasing her release with rising desperation. Her back arched and she released a long, drawn-out moan as the pleasure overwhelmed her, coming undone once more. Braig moaned, rocking into her erratically until he too found his release, gasping her name.

He wrapped his arms around her, letting out a satisfied sigh and kissing her cheek. For her part, Mira's limbs were jelly and she slumped against him, spent. "Y'know..." she mumbled, peering at him through half-lidded eyes, "I shouldn't be this tired out after sleeping for months."

"And here I thought you'd want to go again." Her eyes snapped open, meeting his grinning face. "Kidding. C'mon, let's get cleaned up."

Braig pulled her to her feet, gaze sweeping over her appreciatively, before he disappeared into the bathroom. The sound of running water roused Mira from her pleasure-induced haze and, jelly-legged, she followed, leaning against the doorframe to watch him draw a bath.

She pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to smile. It was so... domestic. When he turned off the water, she grabbed his hand, stepping into the tub. He followed seconds later. Braig pulled her against his chest; warm and secure in his arms, her heart was full in a way it had never been before. There was still so much she had to do, lost time to make up for, but in that moment, every worry faded into silence. There was only him, her, and the steady thump of their hearts beating as one.

The spray of the water fountain took the edge off the summer sun on her face and Mira sighed, a contented sound. A shadow fell over her, blocking the light and she blinked, smiling at the sight of her lover. Braig pulled Mira to her feet and kissed her. When they parted, she glanced at the immense clock tower standing tall above the violet-roofed houses in the distance. Even from where they stood in the square, the swinging pendulum was visible, a steady swish-swish.

Braig tugged on her hand, pulling her focus from the tower, and she followed him through the cobbled streets. The town bustled with activity, though they didn't meet a single soul on their walk. Everyone was somewhere beyond, present but just out of sight. The ground softened from stone to gravel to sand, and there was the ocean, as resplendent and alive as her memories. The tide reached for her, and Mira kneeled in the sand, letting the waves tickle her fingers. A glint beneath the surface drew her in, but Braig's hand closed around it first. Hues of purple and violet refracted over his face as he held it up to the sun. Her wayfinder.

"I'll keep it safe."

She abandoned the sea, sliding her hand over his chest, just above his heart. "Me too." His gaze drifted away from the charm as he grazed his knuckles over her cheek, searching her face, though for what she did not know. He pulled her down to the surface, their shared gaze never breaking. Their sandy bed warmed her; the waves cooled her toes, and in the warmth of the daylight, everything was hazy. Mira leaned against him, eyes slipping shut.

A whisper floated into her ear, the promise of truth and a future. Braig leaned against the curved paopu tree on the island of her youth. They weren't quite ripe, but soon. His gaze wandered far from her to something distant and beyond. He was like the stars, far away and untouchable, beyond time. Out of her reach. But he looked back at her, and it was enough.

He pointed to the waterfall. "Where do you think it leads?"

"I don't know..." The grotto beckoned, calling her forth. What lay beyond the secret door hidden inside? "Will you come with me?"

"Some journeys must be taken alone."

"Then I'll return to you. I promise."

A step and a blink and she stood before the secret place. Mira reached for the vines and-