The Darkest Temptation ✔️

FORTY ONE

Word Count: 2116

~Tove

Keo smooths a map down on the table in front of me.

"This realm has an interesting layout," he notes, running his hand along it.

The map shows an island split into two. Keo is right, it does have a strange layout, with one side seeming to be mountainous, while the other is smooth and flat. It seems small compared to my home realm too.

"Okay." I'm nodding numbly, trying to drink everything in. I'm going to have to not only become familiar with this layout, but also become connected to it.

It's been made clear to me that today is the day I'm transporting to the new realm. There is no other option, considering the pressure from Relm.

"There is no point aiming for anywhere in particular, since you've never seen, nor can you even imagine being there, so just shoot for the general area," Keo says, motioning around the perimeter of the islands.

"That sounds dangerous." What if I plunge myself into a massive volcano or something similar?

Keo holds my gaze. "It is dangerous. But if anyone can do this, Tove, it is you."

I sigh. I'm not sure I have that confidence. I know nothing about this realm, nor how to cross over to it. It's going to take more energy than I have ever mustered before, and I'm likely going to be stuck over there until I can regain enough to return.

"Someone nearly killed me last week," I remind him.

He frowns, turning to me. He has been overly sensitive since the incident, which was over a week ago now. He hasn't left once, when usually he has a lot of business to attend to.

I thought I would hate him lingering, but I enjoy his proximity.

"We will find your mother, okay? For now, concentrate on this," he says. He's right, revenge is going to have to wait.

I look back at the map. "Alright..."

"Now, I'm going to try to feed some information into your mind about this realm. I've been there a few times, so I should have enough memories for you to work off of," he explains.

I stare down at the map, which is lacking any real detail. "What makes this realm good for the Demon's?"

"It isn't very densely populated, and there is enough unclaimed land that we can set up on and essentially disappear," he explains.

I blink, glancing up at him. He makes it sound like he wants us to ultimately settle in this realm.

"We?" I test.

He gives me a long look. "You know what I mean."

I shift, not entirely convinced. I haven't even been to this realm and I know I don't want to establish a life there permanently.

"I don't want to move...I don't want to leave Mary behind," I remind him coldly. "Even if my mother chases me down, trying to kill me for the rest of my life."

His shoulders are tense as he regards me. It's moments like these where I can see Keo remembering that he has a mate now, and that the decisions he makes aren't always going to work for the both of us.

"You won't have to. We will find a way to appease Relm, and all will be fine," he soothes.

Neither of us actually believe it will be that easy, but dwelling on it now will only hinder our progress.

"Right..."

Keo points to the map again, pulling my attention. "You're going to go there, and you will come straight back, okay? Hopefully Relm won't notice your presence as you pass through realms."