She giggled, and he pushed her off him playfully. She leaned back in with a smile, reaching for the strings on his breeches. Tock looked into her eyes, seeing a hint of fear in them. He returned her smile and caught her hand. “I know this sort of thing is scary to you. Whenever we got this close on the Dream Plains you–”

Taylor dragged his face to hers. Despite the fact that she was in a different body, she had the same lucious, puffy lips that always looked like they were pursed for a kiss. He let her push those lips into his, and found his hand fishing under her dress. 

They locked lips for so long that they had trouble breathing. Taylor released her hold on his lips, the shape of her open mouth only enticing him more--her chest, in a low-cut, tattered dress heaving. 

He lowered his face, dotting her breasts with kisses.

“I’m a little scared, but I know you won’t disappoint me. You’re the one I picked to be my husband. Now show me I was correct in doing so.” Taylor dared him. 

Tock found himself impossibly motivated by the dare. “I’ll show you.” 

He pried her knees apart, and heard her whisper, “I always wanted to make love under the stars…” 

Tock looked up at the sky, seeing dozens of blinking stars, and felt honored to help her dream come true. 

***

When the sun rose in the sky, Tock rolled over. He snorted, feeling impossibly soft flesh under his hand. He was exhausted. He couldn’t get enough of her the previous night, and she couldn’t get enough of him. Just thinking about her kept him up, until he couldn’t help but make love to her again and again. His own stamina shocked him, but it shocked Taylor even more. She seemed to have boundless energy for it and didn’t want to stop. His hair was a mess, as was hers, they were covered in twigs, leaves, and dirt. Tock held her close, using her breasts as a pillow. 

He heard Taylor groan, and then open her eyes. Her eyes looked dreamy and sweet. She gazed at him like she had never gazed at him before–with such genuine affection that he felt like he could soar. He knew he was the only man who would ever get her to look at him that way. 

Tock planted a kiss on her forehead. She returned the kiss, she lied down, wrapping her legs around his waist. Tock grinned, happy she still wanted more, because he did, too. His hands wrapped around her back. He lowered them until he found her soft bottom and squeezed it, bringing her closer to his body.

Once they had their fill, Tock looked around for their clothes. He scratched his head. “We might be traveling nude, Taylor. I think someone stole our clothes in the night. You need to be quieter next time…”

Taylor stuck her tongue out. “That’s no fun.”

“True.” Tock sniffed his laughter.

Tock chuckled. They strode forward together. Tock listened for anyone who might be pursuing them carefully. 

Taylor yelled, “There’s something over there!”

Tock watched her pursue something he didn’t see. He followed her, calling her name. She had disappeared behind a tree, but he still sprinted after her.

***

Taylor pursued the yellow silhouette with ravenous eyes. She knew she would run into an Antler eventually. For all her time inside of Eory’s body, she was hoping she would run into one, but never did. 

She pushed herself to run faster, glad she had traded her old body for this new one. Her greater height and surprising strength made it easier to follow the chittering of the Antler. 

She knew exactly what she wanted and needed from it, and she knew that keeping Tock around–her loyalest ally–would only encourage the beast to make itself known to her. 

She followed the Antler into the deepest, darkest recesses in the forest until she saw it disappearing into a cave. She slowed her pace, walking in with her head held high. Its black eyes glinted at her in the darkness. 

She approached silently until it came into focus. She stopped before it, a frown twitching on her face. “Give me what I want.” 

The Antler merely smiled at her. You know it will cost you. 

“Cost me what? From what I have seen… you gave my ancestor, Fjorn, the power to crush the world with an invincible soldier. You must make me invincible so I can do the same.” 

Such power is not for the world changer. That power can only belong to your soulmate. The Antler said. 

“Tock?” Taylor voiced, her eyes wide. “Why should he get it?”

Because if you want to rule, you can’t be a slave. If you are given the powers, you will be his slave. And he can’t rule, he is too kind, too prone to exploration. 

“Why does it have to be him?” Taylor demanded, her voice shaking. 

I told you. He is your soulmate. We only give great power to those with soulmates. 

Taylor shook her head. “Enough with your cryptic sayings and manipulations. Tell me why!” 

Because you can accomplish nothing by yourself. You need your other half.