Zethar and Isolde hadn’t expected the experiment to go as well as it did. They had been too entranced to let go of one another''s hands for several minutes and now the portal’s energy signals were becoming erratic.


    “I’m afraid we’d better take a pause,” Zethar said finally. “At least until the meter readings stabilize again.”


    Isolde nodded reluctantly, allowing her fingers to slip away from his; a single tear tracing its path down her cheek as she did.


    “Please don’t cry,” Zethar said. “Do you understand what this means, Isolde? It means crossing over could be completely possible.”


    “But how can you be so sure?” she said. “Making contact through the portal is one thing. What you’re proposing is another level of risk entirely.”


    “You’re not wrong,” he said. “But what I felt, what we felt just now? It was real. You can’t tell me you didn’t feel that.”


    “It was real,” Isolde agreed. “And it was also the most terrifying feeling in the world, just before. When I thought I might lose this forever.”


    Stolen novel; please report.


    “But you didn’t,” Zethar said. “You won’t. I’m right here. You can cross right now.”


    “Or couldn’t this be enough? Just like this?” Isolde said. “I can visit every midnight when Aurelian isn’t home. I know how to be careful. I won’t get caught.”


    “Isolde, it’s too dangerous,” he said. “And I can’t stay on X3 forever. My superiors are breathing down my neck for wasting time. They don’t know about the portal or about you. It’s only a matter of time before they recall my mission.”


    “Oh, Zethar,” Isolde said. “I’m too afraid.”


    “Then I’ll come to you,” he said, all the energy in his body raring to launch. “I have nothing to lose now, Isolde. You are my sun, my stars, and all my moons.”


    “You can’t,” she said. “Aurelian would kill us both.”


    “Then come here,” he said. “We discovered the portal together. You’ll be all the proof I need to submit before my superiors and we’ll be well taken care of by the Bureau of Intergalactic Research.


    “We can retire to any planet you like. I’ll keep you safe, Isolde. All you have to do is take my hand.”