There was a desk set up on the other side of my soulmate's on the next full moon. You could tell that it was weathered but kept in fine condition. The sides polished, not a dust mote in sight. What I loved most were the intricate design of waves along the trim, and the letterbox full of paper with an accompanying ink and pen propped up and waiting for me.

"How long has it been?"

Aleksandr looked up from his desk, a small smile on his lips.

"I thought you'd like a place to work beside me. Perhaps we can find a solution to your problem together."

I felt my heart jump in my chest at his comment even as I realized he changed the subject.

He'd been so endearing lately. Perhaps seeing him more often had helped to take down the wall I had so often felt raised between us. I thought my jumps were closer in time, but from the desk well-preserved looks it had been another age since he'd last seen me.

"How long, Aleksandr?" Now that I thought about it, the Grisha I had met were never the same. A brief breeze of humor went through me as I remembered the moment he told me that name, Grisha. Named in honor of a Grisha long ago, Grigori. But I couldn't help but giggle as soon as I translated it, the Gregs. He didn't seem to find it all that funny, his face stony before it cracked at my belly laughs.

"We've had many achievements thanks to the books you've provided over the years. No longer are my Grisha seen as expendable to the royals. They've at last seen we are of greater value. Our innovators helped with the production of food and brought better hygiene to the masses." He looked up, his smile turning soft as he looked me in the eye. His eyes drifted to my lips as I mouthed 'how long' again.

He gestured to the cushioned seat, which must have been replaced recently.

As soon as I sat he answered my question.

"200 years have passed."

"How…" I gaped at him. It seems I have yet to get used to it. I sat at my desk and imagined how many times he must have restocked the paper and refreshed the inkwell.

He rounded his desk and leaned against my own.

"Darya, I will always make time for you. Please let me help you come up with a solution."

I looked up at him and realized that despite all his worries and trials, all this time he'd spent in the in between, he'd always kept me in his mind. Always thinking about how, when we would meet again, he could help.

So with a deep breath I began to tell him of the threat to my world. The comet heading straight toward us. The only possible light at the tunnel being the stories of a girl named Eva with abilities like that of my friend, sacrificing herself to create a towering beam of light that changed the course of the comet.

"Can one of your friends summon light?"

I didn't have to look up to know a look of greed had passed through his features.

"One of my friends can summon lightning like I can." This time I looked up and braced myself for the look in his eyes but it wasn't there instead his brows were furrowed.

"Lightning alone could not have changed the direction of the projectile."

"You are right. We think it was made of a culmination of abilities and that the main tower was made out of water. But to make something of that magnitude would take a lot of energy. I'm surprised Eva was even able to achieve it alone in the past."

"That's why you want to find a way to join your friends in making the tower of light."

I nodded, "If me with my extra abilities could add to their strength then maybe they wouldn't be in so much danger of being consumed by the power."

Our next couple visits went similarly, me at my desk and him beside me brainstorming. Always setting aside his work as soon as I arrived.

The last full moon before the comet arrived found me back in my soulmate's suite.

The room was dark, the lights out, and I found myself knocking on the bedroom door not wishing to walk in on him.

He opened the door and I found myself smiling at how fluffy he looked. His hair out of its always arranged style, sticking up from the side of his forehead; a few tufts set at angles of his head. I succumbed to the urge and ran my fingers through his soft downy locks, setting them in place again.

His arms reached out and pulled me into his embrace, his head resting at the crook of my neck. My name escaped his lips in an almost desperate plea, "Darya, please be real."

"It's me." I looped my arms around his neck and smiled as he nuzzled me, still half asleep it would seem. "I'm sorry I woke you."

Aleksandr rose but not before brushing his lips against my cheek, his hands firmly around my waist.

"You're more fit." His hands reached up to run along my arms and I barely fought off the shiver that ran down my spine as I felt his fingertips along my bare arms. "I am so happy you've been healthy."

"I've needed to in preparation for the main event."

He blinked his dark gray eyes and looked down at me with an intense look that made my insides get all squiggly.

"It's almost time, isn't it?"

Despite the ages that seemed to pass for him he still seemed to keep track of my time.

"Yes, next full moon."

Aleksandr ran his hand through his locks before moving into his study, flipping a switch on the wall. The electric lights illuminating the space, just one of the many innovations that had been brought forth by the Materialki educated by my books.

He walked over to his desk, his long strides purposeful even after seemingly just having woken from sleep.

"I've made something that I believe will help. It should work in tandem with your nature." From his drawer he pulled out a wooden jewelry case. He walked back over to me lifting the box so it was near eye level before opening the lid for me to look inside. A beautiful silver teardrop necklace sat cushioned on velvet, a ring sat below it, all inset with the same stone that was eerily similar to what was in my moon ring. My fingertips ran across the stones, my fingers getting a shock. How odd, I touched them again and no more sparks instead a strong wave of reassurance washed over me. It was odd how a jewelry set could seem so welcoming.

"They are beautiful, Aleksandr."

I looked up and my breath caught in my throat, before me was the brightest smile I had ever seen upon my soulmate's face. The strongest desire I've ever had almost overwhelmed me as I took in his happy features, I wanted to kiss this man.

Then he knelt before me, setting the case on his bent knee. His hand reached out for mine where my moon ring sat on my left middle finger. His head bowed over and kissed my knuckles. I felt thoroughly romanced, I supposed that was what I got for having a soulmate in the olden times.

"May I...?"

"Don't let me stop you."

I looked at where he was holding the ring on my middle finger.

He took it from my finger before slipping it onto my ring finger. His left hand fell upon the box and lifted the gifted ring. On a closer look I found it looked like a moon in eclipse. Aleksandr placed it on my ring finger. The two rings seemed to be magnetized and clung together, locking in place as if they were always meant to be together.

"You spoke of the crystals from your moon cave, and I remembered I had seen something similar once. I had my Materialki test the cavern and the rock seemed magnetized to the crystals. It was also at the foot of a large mountain, like yours." His fingers caressed her fingertips, "Perhaps this is a link between your world and mine."

"The ring Aleksandr..."

"A promise." His smile had its bittersweet edge again, "I promise to always be there when you need me Darya, as you have been for me. You are mine, as I am yours."

He looked down at the necklace, something I would never have picked for myself. It had a simple extravagance to it, an elegance I didn't think would ever fit me. He rose before walking behind me. His fingertips brushed against the nape of my neck as he brushed my hair to the side, before settling the ornate necklace around my neck. I could feel his breath at the back, his lips brushing over my skin as he spoke in an undertone.

"Perhaps this will save you one day."

And then I was back in my room, my fingertips brushing against my new jewelry.

Bella came in and eyed the new look before glancing down at my rings.

"Is that an engagement ring?"

"Uh..." I was speechless. Maybe, he had placed it purposely on that finger. I shook my head wonderingly, even as my fingers trailed across the smooth surfaces of the necklace.

I had much to do and not much time to do it.