Tristan’s grip on her tightened, holding her as close as their bodies would allow. And then, as suddenly as the spinning began, it ended.
The ground hardened beneath her feet, once again a solid foundation. Her dizziness lasted for several prolonged moments, but when it passed, she opened her eyes and expelled a shocked puff of air.
“Where are we?” she asked, a tremor in her voice.
Silver marble covered large, spacious walls, and some sort of smooth crystal provided a glistening floor. There was no furniture present, only empty space. No light fixtures, either, and yet the room was lit with a crown of brilliance. A large window claimed the farthest wall, and Julia released Tristan to stride over and peek outside.
Confusion rocked her as a pink-and-purple skyline filled her vision, dragon-like creatures soaring through the air, their wings spanning an incredible length. Below, she drank in a view of a clear silver sea and white sand. Trees dripped with brilliant sapphire-and-emerald-colored fruit, framed by the light of two golden moons. A cool, damp breeze scented with sweet rain kissed her cheeks and ruffled strands of her hair.
Mouth agape, she repeated, “Where are we? And how did we get here?”
“This is Imperia,” he answered, his own shock dripping from each syllable. A flicker of joy lit his eyes. “Someone used magic to bring us here, at this time and location.” Face now gleaming with a mix of dread and delight, he walked around the edge of the walls, his fingertips brushing each surface. “These are lamori gems. Watch.” He caressed one of the stones, and the dull silver glow shimmered to life.
Curious, she reached out and stroked the stone nearest her. No heat, only cold and tangible reality. Yet a rosy light illuminated the inner sphere of the stone. Then the walls began to move, slowly at first, spinning faster and faster. Panic raised its ugly head, and Julia raced back into Tristan’s arms. He held her close.
“Time,” he said, the delight gone, leaving only dread. “Time is reversing.”
How many minutes passed while they stood in place, unable to do anything but watch as the walls spun, spun, spun, Julia didn’t know. How could magic make something like this happen?
Finally, as abruptly as the spinning began, it stopped. They stood in the same room—the same room, but different. A large, delectable bed occupied the center, the sides draped by sheer white lace, the top covered with white furs. An elaborate vanity and a plush chaise longue filled a separate sitting area.
“I don’t…I…” She gasped, for the first time noticing the woman who reclined on the bed, her delicate spill of black hair against the white silk sheets and perfect features giving her a beauty beyond compare. A bronzed, muscled warrior stood beside her, his eyes alight with barely suppressed rage.
“It worked!” The woman grinned and jumped to her feet, her creamy gown floating around her ankles.
“Zirra,” Tristan spat, moving his grip to Julia’s waist, keeping her snug against him.
“Who is Zirra?” Julia asked, shocked by the contempt in his tone.
A muscle jumped beneath Tristan’s eyes. “She is my tormentor. The one who cursed me.”
“I am the love of your life,” this Zirra snarled. She cast her gaze to Julia. “And you…you should be hanging from a tree.”
Rage sparked inside Julia, her hands fisting. “I’ve never been in a catfight, but I’m willing to change that right here, right now.”
In the next instant, the walls started spinning again. More stars. More colors. Around and around and around.
“Time travel again?” Her stomach clenched. When the spinning ceased for this third time, she faced a field of tall, flourishing trees. There were no houses, no cars, no electrical poles.
“Aye. We are now going forward rather than back.” His breath was a ripple against her cheek.
She trembled, and she fought the urge to vomit. “We’re returning home?”
“I believe so.”
Good, that was good. But how long would he be able to stay?
* * *
“HE WAS HERE,” Zirra cried, her joy all but bursting from her chest. “He was here!”
“That he was, aye,” Romulis offered, his tone a bit too happy for her liking.
“Where did he go?” Swift and sure, she searched her entire room, every nook, corner and hidden hollow. “Is he hiding?”
“Your power was not strong enough to hold him—not without his box in your hands. And so he journeyed back to his new world.”
She unleashed her rage with a scream. “I must reclaim his box. I must. Teach me another spell.”
“Think you my father would allow that? He spelled the box as surely as he cast Tristan away. The box cannot return here with magic alone. The cursed thing must be brought by someone’s hand. All I told you I would do is bring him to you. I did not say how long he would stay.”
“Bastard!” A screech of rage broke through her throat, and she whipped around and glared at this man who was supposed to help her. “Bastard.”
“And yet you should have realized.”
“Bastard,” she snarled again.
“What has you more upset, Zirra? The fact that he disappeared? Or the fact that he looked happy with the other woman?”
“He belongs to me. Do you not understand? I am his master. I control him. If I cannot hold him here with my power, I will find another way. I will possess him again, Romulis. This I swear to you.”
* * *
JULIA STARED AT HER HOUSE, which now towered in front of her, then looked up at Tristan, who still stood beside her on the front lawn. The shock of what had happened dwindled away, confusion and fear in full force.
“I don’t understand what just happened. Why did we go to Imperia to see the one who cursed you? Why did we return?”
Steel glinted in his eyes, making the violet seem like a whirlpool of deep purple liquid. “My guess is Zirra called me home, thinking to reclaim ownership of me, but the
