23. A cute little cottage
One month later, I sat in my kitchen across from Keri. She’d finally come out of the relationship cubby long enough to have a meal with me. It wasn’t hard to convince her to show up for the meal. My life was changing, and that change meant spending extended periods away from Earth. We would have very few moments to spend with each other.
“So what you’re saying is you’re going to look like this forever while I get older?” Keri frowned over her drink. “How is that fair?”
“That’s what Likosa said. It’s one of the benefits of being soulmates with a demon, I guess. The good thing is, I’m not actually insane.” I held my drink up to toast her, but she rolled her eyes. “Come on! All that stuff I saw, the mental break I had before, it was all real Keri. I’ve been to those places. I’ve met those people. Do you know how much of a relief that is for me?”
“I’m sorry you went through years of everyone not believing you.” Keri shook her head. “All that time with everyone judging you.”
“I didn’t even believe it. How could I expect anyone else to?” I put my drink down. “There was so much I experienced, lives I lived, and to find out it was real? My mind is still whirling, but it’s reassuring. Just imagine the possibilities.”
“And the plan is to travel the universes, visiting new worlds?” Keri asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
“Yes. I mean, there’s nothing keeping me here. Thanks to being away so often, I lost all my clients, and after learning a lot of my art is depictions of places that actually exist, I want to see as many as I can. I’ll be back, though.” I reached out to touch her hand. “But I’m selling the house.”
Her face dropped. “What do you mean, you’re selling the house? You love this house.”
“True, but with no income to pay the mortgage…” I trailed off. “I figure the money can sit in an account somewhere and collect interest. Maybe when I’m old, I’ll return to Earth to retire.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Damn. I want this for you, but you’re basically telling me I’m going to lose my best friend. You’ll leave, and yes, you’ll visit, but what will feel like a couple of months to you will be years for me. Then, you get to come back here, tits and ass still firm, while I wither away lathering myself with wrinkle cream.”
“That sounds so morbid.” The thought of losing so much time with her made my stomach hurt, but it also sparked another idea. “I can take you with me sometimes.”
“What?” Her eyes widened as she leaned forward and whispered across the table. “Take me with you? Really?”
“There are worlds that are human compatible. If you want to see them, I can take you.”
“Human compatible.” She slapped the table. “Dammit, I didn’t think about that. This means my best friend is an alien, right? Or at least your ancestors were. There has to be a movie about that, right?” She laughed, and I joined her because I was sure there was at least one story written about it somewhere.
“What’s funny?” Metice appeared in the kitchen.
“And there he is.” Keri pointed at him. “The demon who”s taking my best friend away from me.”
“Hello, Keri.” He nodded to her. “Should I come back later?”
“No, no. I should go anyway.” Keri stood and turned her stern expression to me. “Don’t poof away without saying goodbye.”
“You don’t have to go.” I stood. “Metice won’t bother you.”
“I’m not worried about him. I need to plan. We’re telling my parents about the engagement tomorrow, and it’s gonna be hell.” She wagged her finger sporting the diamond. “I don’t care what happens—your ass better be on earth for my wedding.”
“There is nothing in the universe more important than my best friend’s wedding!” I placed my hand over my heart, a silent promise that I wouldn’t disappoint her.
Keri pointed at Metice again. “You better make sure she doesn’t.”
“I know, or you’ll shoot me.” Metice laughed like he thought she was being silly, but I felt his concern. He knew better than to doubt my bestie. “She’ll be here.”
“Smart guy.” Keri patted Metice on the shoulder as she walked away.
“I have a surprise for you,” Metice said as soon as the door shut behind Keri.
“What’s that?” I asked as I cleared the dishes from the table.
“Come.” He held his hand out to me.
I placed my hand in his, and the kitchen disappeared. When my vision cleared, we were standing on a hill in a land covered in ice: the place from my painting, where Floushal first told Metice of his soulmate.
Just to the left of us was a small cottage with the cutest little porch, an easel set up looking out over the property. Next to it was a stand stocked with a fresh canvas and paintbrushes. Piko slept in a rocking chair covered in a pink blanket.
“You did this?” I looked at Metice.
“This is where I first learned about you. Where it all started.” He pulled me into his arms. “I figured we could start our lives together right here.”
“That’s so sweet of you.” I lifted up on my toes and kissed him.
“That’s it? No celebratory twerking?” He peered over my shoulder at my ass. “Not even a little bounce for my good deed?”
“I see. That’s why you did this?” I slapped him on the shoulder. “And what do you think twerking will lead to?”
“Oh, the places my imagination takes me.”
“Bring it on.” I looked at him with a devious grin. “Demon boy.”