Beyond the Veil

Chapter 42

As Sera began to stir into consciousness, the first thing she became aware of was the gentle rhythm of movement and cold arms enveloping her.

Slowly, she emerged from the hazy fog of sleep, and her senses started to come alive. The sensation of being cradled in Saul's strong arms was a jarring revelation, a realization that stirred her heart in ways she hadn't expected.

A soft light illuminated their surroundings in the void, casting an ethereal glow over Saul's translucent form. She gazed up at him, taking in the sight of him. His features, once familiar and earthy, now bore an otherworldly sheen, lending an air of mystique to his countenance. The shadows beneath his eyes bespoke the weight of the hollowness that existed within him.

But Sera had learned her lesson. She wasn't going to fall for this again.

Everything about this situation felt too surreal to be true. It had to be another illusion, another mirage in this joyless hellscape. The wasteland was showing her what she wanted most, and she was not going to be tricked.

As she tried to clear her head, her instinct was to push away, to escape from the phantom that had taken her while she slept. With force through her fatigue, she pushed against his chest, "Let go of me, I'm not going to kiss you again."

Saul blinked, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. This was not what he expected her to greet him with after everything, but he didn't release his hold on her. "Pardon?"

Sera's voice trembled with exhaustion and anxiety as she repeated, "I know you're not real, you're just another vision. A trick this evil fucking desert is playing on me."

Saul's expression softened, and he shook his head gently, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm what you saw in the mirage?" The smile grew until it was plastered widely on his face. "It's really me, Sera. I'm back."

"How can I trust you?" Sera asked.

"I'll prove it." Saul said smoothly, his voice low as he looked at her. His thumb graced the hem of her t-shirt, and pulled it up slightly. The cold air of the void grazed the top of her exposed stomach. Sera shuddered.

What was he doing to her?

Saul lifted her closer to him, and leaned his head down near her exposed stomach.

His lips just barely touched the skin of her stomach, and Sera was held prisoner to the delightful shivers that he elicited in her. Saul took a deep breath and she could feel the hot air of his breath tantalizing her skin.

He then planted his lips on her belly and blew a giant raspberry.

She shouted in protest and pushed his face away, but not before he planted a tiny kiss on her belly where he had just teased her.

"I can't believe you!" Sera screamed, pushing her off of him. He still did not let go, she remained in his arms.

"You needed proof that I was real." He replied, a satisfied and happy smile on his face. It was clear he was happy about what he had done.

"Not that kind of proof..." Sera replied unhappily, but she believed it was him.

Saul merely smiled in response. He continued to cradle her against his chest, rubbing her back gently.

"So when you thought it was me in your hallucination... you kissed me?" Saul asked, peering down at her with interest.

"You should have just let me die..." Sera groaned, a blush forming across her face.

"Sorry, I can't do that, sweetheart." Saul replied, a silly grin crossing his face again.

With a moment to catch her thoughts she spoke up. "It really is you... Let me down for a second."