I think. I'm not even certain if that's true anymore. If this world exists, then is every book world real? Are the characters alive and living out their experiences, even after I put the book down?
I'm too tired to return to this line of thought. I rest my head on his shoulder.
There can't be anything between us anyway. He's got a woman and a kingdom. While he may want me to stay, I can't see myself becoming a peasant or servant or worse - his mistress. He's okay with that, but I'm not.
Soon after we enter the narrow pass between mountains, our abductors lose their black cloaks and animal heads, revealing the faces of the Brown Sun Lake warriors and their cloaks.
I huddle against the Shadow Knight for warmth. No one speaks to us. A glance at my hand in the dim moonlight reveals the same message, and I play that scene from the movie over and over in my head.
Apparently, I have to take another dive for the Shadow Knight. Though maybe if we spend some time apart, we'll both realize there's nothing between us, not even basic physical attraction.
"I fear you have crossed into madness," he murmurs.
"It can't happen. I belong to a different world. You have a woman."
"Aye, 'tis complicated."
I wait for more. Typical man. Thinks with his dick. I've had my fill of jerks.
"Have you tested your magic?" His tension is back.
The medallion is cool and smooth beneath my fingertips. "I don't know how to turn it on. Aside from throwing you off a building or something."
"Or kissing you."
"Pretty sure it was the danger," I say curtly. "We aren't doing that again anyway."
The horses in front of us draw to a halt, and I see the forms of another group of riders joining us. Two of them speak too quietly for us to hear, and I grip the medallion, willing the spark of electricity to emerge.
The two start down the column, towards us.
The Shadow Knight tightens his grip around me, tensing. The two are soon within speaking range but not close enough for the uber-athletic Shadow Knight to launch off the horse and collar them.
"We can do this one of two ways, Shadow," one says. He motions to someone behind us, and horse hooves approach from my right side.
I lean over and spot the archer on horseback.
Shit. My pulse quickens and I shift in the Shadow Knight's grip. A glance at my hand reveals the same message scrolling across it. Voluntarily going with the enemy, one who knows how to kill me? The Shadow Knight can protect me at least. If I leave him, aren't we both at risk?